H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms fall by 70% since 2015
The Indian IT sector has been facing significant challenges in recent years, particularly when it comes 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 since 2015. This decline has been consistent over the years, 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 decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT companies. The report notes that the top seven Indian IT firms, which include Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, HCL America, Tech Mahindra, Larsen & Toubro Infotech, and Mindtree, have seen a substantial decrease in H-1B visa approvals over the 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 Indian IT firms also saw a decline in H-1B visa approvals, with Infosys securing 714 petitions, Wipro securing 534 petitions, and HCL America securing 434 petitions.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing scrutiny of visa applications by the USCIS. The Trump administration’s “Buy American and Hire American” executive order, which was issued in 2017, has led to a more rigorous review of H-1B visa applications. The order requires the USCIS to prioritize the hiring of American workers over foreign workers, which has resulted in a decrease in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms.
Another factor contributing to the decline in H-1B visa approvals is the rise of protectionist policies in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of protectionism, with many countries, including the United States, implementing policies to protect their domestic workers. The H-1B visa program, which allows foreign workers to work in the United States, has been a target of these protectionist policies.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals has significant implications for the Indian IT sector, which relies heavily on the program to hire skilled workers from India. The Indian IT sector has been a major driver of the country’s economic growth, and the decline in H-1B visa approvals could have a negative impact on the sector’s growth prospects.
The Indian government has been lobbying the US government to ease the restrictions on H-1B visa approvals, but so far, there has been no significant relief. The Indian government has argued that the H-1B visa program is essential for the growth of the Indian IT sector, and that the restrictions on the program are unfair and discriminatory.
In conclusion, the decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms is a significant challenge for the Indian IT sector. The 70% drop in H-1B visa approvals since 2015 is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the sector, and the need for the Indian government to lobby the US government to ease the restrictions on the program. The Indian IT sector must also diversify its operations and explore new markets to reduce its dependence on the H-1B visa program.
As the Indian IT sector continues to navigate the challenges posed by the decline in H-1B visa approvals, it is essential to monitor the developments in the US immigration policy and the impact of the policy on the Indian IT sector. The sector must also explore new opportunities and strategies to mitigate the impact of the decline in H-1B visa approvals and ensure its continued growth and success.
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