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. This decline has significant implications for the industry, which has been a major driver of India’s economic growth.
The NFAP 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 FY 2025. This marks a 37% reduction since last year, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the industry in securing H-1B visas for its employees. The report also notes that Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was the only Indian IT company among the top five firms to receive H-1B visa approvals.
The H-1B visa program is a non-immigrant visa category that allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. The program is highly competitive, with a limited number of visas available each year. The decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms is attributed to various factors, including changes in US immigration policies, increased scrutiny of visa applications, and a shift towards hiring local talent.
The 70% decline in H-1B visa approvals since 2015 is a significant concern for the Indian IT industry, which has been a major beneficiary of the program. The industry has been using the H-1B visa program to send skilled workers to the US to work on client projects, and the decline in approvals has forced companies to explore alternative options, such as hiring local talent or setting up delivery centers in other countries.
The NFAP report notes that the decline in H-1B visa approvals has been more pronounced for Indian IT firms compared to other countries. While Indian firms have seen a 70% decline in approvals, companies from other countries have experienced a relatively smaller decline. This suggests that the US immigration authorities have been subjecting Indian IT firms to greater scrutiny, which has resulted in a higher rejection rate for their visa applications.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals has significant implications for the Indian IT industry, which has been a major driver of India’s economic growth. The industry has been a significant contributor to India’s GDP, and the decline in H-1B visa approvals could have a negative impact on the country’s economy. The industry has been exploring alternative options, such as hiring local talent or setting up delivery centers in other countries, but these options may not be as effective as the H-1B visa program in terms of accessing skilled talent.
The Indian government has been taking steps to address the concerns of the IT industry, including engaging with the US government to relax the H-1B visa rules. However, the decline in H-1B visa approvals is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. The industry needs to adapt to the changing landscape and explore alternative options to access skilled talent.
In conclusion, the decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms is a significant concern for the industry, which has been a major driver of India’s economic growth. The 70% decline in approvals since 2015 is a staggering figure, and the industry needs to adapt to the changing landscape to remain competitive. The NFAP report highlights the need for the industry to explore alternative options, such as hiring local talent or setting up delivery centers in other countries, to access skilled talent.
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