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, particularly with regards to 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 from 2015. This decline has had a substantial impact on the industry, with the top seven firms securing just 4,573 initial-employment petitions in FY 2025, marking a 37% reduction since last year.
The NFAP report, which cites data from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), highlights the significant decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms. The report notes that the top seven Indian IT companies, which include Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, HCL America, Tech Mahindra, Larsen & Toubro Infotech, and Mindtree, have seen a drastic reduction in H-1B visa approvals over the past few years.
TCS was the only Indian IT company among the top five firms to receive H-1B visa approvals in FY 2025. The company secured 1,353 initial-employment petitions, which is a significant decline from previous years. The other top Indian IT firms also saw a substantial decline in H-1B visa approvals, with Infosys securing 819 petitions, Wipro securing 554 petitions, and HCL America securing 434 petitions.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms can be attributed to various factors, including changes in US immigration policies and increased scrutiny of visa applications. The Trump administration’s “Buy American and Hire American” executive order, which was signed in 2017, has led to a more restrictive approach to H-1B visa approvals. The order aims to protect American workers by promoting the hiring of US citizens and reducing the reliance on foreign workers.
The NFAP report notes that the decline in H-1B visa approvals has had a significant impact on the Indian IT industry, which is a major contributor to the US economy. The report states that the reduction in H-1B visa approvals has resulted in a decline in the number of foreign workers employed by Indian IT firms in the US. This, in turn, has led to a decrease in the revenue generated by these firms, which has had a ripple effect on the entire industry.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals has also led to an increase in the cost of hiring foreign workers for Indian IT firms. The report notes that the cost of hiring a foreign worker on an H-1B visa has increased significantly due to the additional fees and administrative costs associated with the visa application process. This has made it more challenging for Indian IT firms to compete with their US counterparts, which has had a negative impact on their business operations.
The Indian IT industry has been a significant contributor to the US economy, with many Indian firms having a major presence in the country. The industry has created thousands of jobs for US citizens and has contributed to the growth of the US economy. However, the decline in H-1B visa approvals has raised concerns about the future of the industry and its ability to continue contributing to the US economy.
In recent years, the Indian IT industry has been working to reduce its dependence on H-1B visas by hiring more US citizens and increasing its investments in the US. Many Indian IT firms have established training programs for US citizens, which aim to develop the skills of American workers and prepare them for jobs in the IT industry. The industry has also been working to increase its investments in the US, with many firms setting up new offices and development centers in the country.
However, despite these efforts, the decline in H-1B visa approvals remains a major challenge for the Indian IT industry. The industry is hoping that the US government will review its immigration policies and consider the impact of the decline in H-1B visa approvals on the industry. The industry is also working to develop new strategies to address the decline in H-1B visa approvals, including increasing its investments in the US and hiring more US citizens.
In conclusion, the decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms is a significant challenge for the industry, which has had a substantial impact on its business operations. The industry is working to address this challenge by reducing its dependence on H-1B visas, hiring more US citizens, and increasing its investments in the US. However, the industry is hoping that the US government will review its immigration policies and consider the impact of the decline in H-1B visa approvals on the industry.
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