H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms fall by 70% since 2015
The Indian IT services industry has been facing significant challenges in recent years, and one of the major concerns has been the decline in H-1B visa approvals. According to a report by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), Indian IT services companies have registered a staggering 70% drop in H-1B visa approvals since 2015. The report, which cites data from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), reveals that the top seven Indian IT firms secured just 4,573 initial-employment petitions in Fiscal Year 2025, marking a 37% reduction since last year.
The H-1B visa program is a non-immigrant visa that allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. The program is highly sought after by Indian IT companies, as it enables them to send skilled workers to the US to work on projects. However, the program has been subject to increased scrutiny and restrictions in recent years, making it more challenging for Indian IT firms to secure visas for their employees.
The NFAP report highlights the significant decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms over the past few years. In 2015, the top seven Indian IT firms secured 14,792 initial-employment petitions, but this number has been steadily declining since then. The report attributes this decline to the increased scrutiny and restrictions imposed on the H-1B visa program, as well as the changing business models of Indian IT firms.
One of the key findings of the report is that Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was the only Indian IT company among the top five firms to receive H-1B visa approvals in Fiscal Year 2025. TCS, which is one of the largest IT services companies in India, secured 1,353 initial-employment petitions, accounting for nearly 30% of the total approvals received by the top seven Indian IT firms.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals has significant implications for the Indian IT services industry, which relies heavily on the program to send skilled workers to the US. The industry is already facing challenges such as increased competition, changing technology landscapes, and rising costs, and the decline in H-1B visa approvals is likely to exacerbate these challenges.
The Indian government has been actively engaging with the US government to address the concerns of the Indian IT industry, including the decline in H-1B visa approvals. The government has been advocating for a more streamlined and efficient visa process, as well as increased quotas for H-1B visas. However, the outcome of these efforts remains to be seen, and the industry will likely continue to face challenges in the near term.
The NFAP report also highlights the impact of the decline in H-1B visa approvals on the US economy. The report notes that the decline in visa approvals has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of skilled workers available to US employers, which can have negative implications for the US economy. The report suggests that the US government should consider relaxing the restrictions on the H-1B visa program to allow more skilled workers to enter the country, which can help to address the labor shortages and skills gaps in the US economy.
In conclusion, the decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms is a significant concern for the industry, and it has significant implications for the Indian economy. The industry will need to adapt to the changing landscape and explore alternative strategies for sending skilled workers to the US. The US government should also consider the impact of the decline in visa approvals on the US economy and take steps to relax the restrictions on the H-1B visa program.
The report by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) provides valuable insights into the decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms, and it highlights the need for the Indian government and the US government to work together to address the concerns of the industry. As the Indian IT services industry continues to evolve and grow, it is essential to find solutions to the challenges posed by the decline in H-1B visa approvals, and to ensure that the industry remains competitive and innovative in the global market.
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