US Labor Department Halts PERM Filings at Eight Firms, Potentially Extending Green Card Wait Times for Indian Workers.
Dubai: The US Department of Labor announced on October 8 that eight major technology and IT services companies had been suspended from participating in the Permanent Labor Certification Program, commonly known as PERM.
The decision was announced in Washington by US Vice President JD Vance and Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling.
The companies affected by the suspension are Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini.
According to the department, the eight firms will be unable to submit new PERM applications, while the processing of existing applications will also be suspended during ongoing investigations.
The restrictions will remain in effect indefinitely, with no confirmed date for their removal.
US officials have linked the decision to concerns about wage suppression and the displacement of American workers.
Vance criticised Microsoft’s reliance on PERM and H-1B visa programmes, pointing to the company’s use of foreign worker sponsorship while simultaneously laying off thousands of employees in the United States.
He emphasised that the administration supports businesses expanding their operations but expects employers to prioritise hiring American workers.
The PERM programme is a crucial stage in the employment-based green card process. It generally requires employers to demonstrate that qualified US workers are not available for a particular position before proceeding with an employment-based immigrant petition.
How the PERM Suspension Could Affect Indian IT Companies
The announcement initially created uncertainty among investors, particularly regarding Indian technology companies with significant operations in the United States.
American depositary receipts of Infosys and Wipro declined by approximately 3% during Thursday’s US trading session.
However, the market reaction appeared to ease on Friday morning, when technology stocks emerged among the stronger performers in Indian trading.
Investor attention also shifted towards Tata Consultancy Services’ financial results, following the company’s announcement of a 15% increase in net profit.
Despite the relatively limited market reaction, the suspension could create more serious challenges for employees relying on employer-sponsored permanent residency applications.
Workers whose employers have not yet initiated the PERM process may experience immediate delays because affected companies cannot submit new applications.
Employees with applications already awaiting approval could also face prolonged uncertainty, as US authorities have not yet provided detailed guidance on how pending cases will be handled.
What the US Green Card Freeze Means for Indian Technology Professionals
Indian professionals represent a substantial proportion of H-1B visa beneficiaries and already experience lengthy waiting periods for employment-based US green cards.
The latest PERM restrictions could add further complications for workers employed by the affected companies, particularly those who depend on employer sponsorship to secure permanent residency.
For some applicants, the additional delays could extend an immigration process that already takes several years.
Technology professionals considering employment opportunities with any of the eight affected firms should seek clarification about green card sponsorship before accepting an offer.
Applicants should request written information explaining when their employer expects to initiate the PERM process and what alternative arrangements may be available if the suspension remains in place.
Companies outside the affected group are not directly covered by this particular suspension, although applicants should continue to review their individual immigration circumstances.
What Indian Tech Workers Already in the US Should Do
Technology professionals currently working in the United States should first establish the status of their employment-based green card applications.
Employees should contact their human resources departments to confirm whether their employer has already submitted a PERM application, whether the application remains pending or whether labor certification has been approved.
They should also consult their company’s immigration lawyers to understand how the suspension could affect their immigration timeline and priority date.
Maintaining complete records is equally important. Workers should retain copies of PERM-related documents, immigration petitions, application receipts and approval notices.
With no confirmed timeline for lifting the restrictions, affected employees may need to reassess their long-term immigration plans and seek professional guidance on the options available to them.
For now, employees working at the eight affected companies face the most immediate uncertainty over their green card applications and permanent residency plans.
However, technology professionals employed by other firms should also remain alert, as the US government’s intensified immigration enforcement measures could potentially extend to additional employers beyond those currently named in the suspension.
