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 been steady, with the top seven Indian IT 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 impact of the declining H-1B visa approvals on the Indian IT industry. The report notes that the top seven Indian IT firms, which include TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL America, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, and Larsen & Toubro Infotech, have seen a significant decline in H-1B visa approvals over the years.
TCS was the only Indian IT company to feature among the top five firms in terms of H-1B visa approvals, with 1,353 initial-employment petitions approved in FY 2025. However, even TCS saw a decline of 23% in H-1B visa approvals compared to the previous year. The other Indian IT firms also saw significant declines, with Infosys registering a 44% decline, Wipro seeing a 41% decline, and HCL America experiencing a 35% decline.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals has been attributed to various factors, including the changing immigration policies in the US, increased scrutiny of visa applications, and a rise in visa denials. The US immigration authorities have been tightening the rules for H-1B visa applications, making it more difficult for Indian IT firms to secure visas for their employees.
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 popular among Indian IT firms, which rely heavily on H-1B visas to send their employees to work on projects in the US. However, the program has been facing criticism in recent years, with some arguing that it is being used to displace American workers.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals has significant implications for the Indian IT industry, which is one of the largest exporters of IT services to the US. The industry is already facing challenges such as increasing competition, changing technology landscape, and rising costs. The decline in H-1B visa approvals adds to these challenges, making it more difficult for Indian IT firms to compete in the global market.
The Indian government has been lobbying with the US authorities to relax the rules for H-1B visa applications and to increase the quota for H-1B visas. However, so far, there has been no significant relief for the Indian IT industry. The industry is now exploring alternative options, such as hiring local talent in the US, to mitigate the impact of the decline in H-1B visa approvals.
In conclusion, the decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms is a significant concern for the industry. The 70% drop in H-1B visa approvals since 2015 is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the industry. The top seven Indian IT firms securing just 4,573 initial-employment petitions in FY 2025 is a significant decline, and the industry needs to adapt to the changing landscape to remain competitive.
As the Indian IT industry continues to navigate these challenges, it is essential to monitor the developments in the H-1B visa program and its impact on the industry. The industry needs to explore alternative options, such as hiring local talent, and lobby with the US authorities to relax the rules for H-1B visa applications.
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