U.S. suspends PERM green‑card processing for eight major tech and IT services firms
On October 8 2026 the U.S. Labor Department, led by Secretary Keith Sonderling, halted new and pending Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) applications for Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCLTech and Capgemini. The suspension does not cancel existing H‑1B visas or already approved green cards, but it pauses the employer‑sponsored path to permanent residency for affected employees. Indian IT firms say the move will have limited operational impact because they have filed few PERM cases in recent years.
Why it matters
The companies note that the pause is unlikely to disrupt their U.S. operations, citing single‑digit PERM filings and continued hiring plans (theunitedindian.com). However, individual Indian professionals may face delays in obtaining green cards, adding uncertainty to the talent pipeline for these firms.
Key facts
- 1U.S. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling announced the suspension of PERM applications for eight companies on October 8 2026. thediplomat.com
- 2The eight firms named are Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCLTech and Capgemini. americanbazaaronline.com
- 3The suspension blocks new and pending PERM applications but does not affect existing H‑1B visas or approved green cards. americanbazaaronline.com
- 4TCS recorded 2 certified PERM cases and HCLTech 59 certified cases in the first nine months of fiscal 2026; Infosys and Wipro had none. theunitedindian.com
- 5TCS said the suspension will not affect its workforce strategy and plans to hire an additional 15,000 employees in the United States over five years. theunitedindian.com
- 6The U.S. government justified the action as a measure to protect American workers and address alleged misuse of foreign‑worker programs. americanbazaaronline.com
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 3 of 3 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.