H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms fall by 70% since 2015
The Indian IT services industry has been facing a significant decline in H-1B visa approvals over the past few years. According to a report by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), the number of H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms has dropped by a staggering 70% since 2015. The report, which cites data from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), reveals that the top seven Indian IT services companies secured just 4,573 initial-employment petitions in the fiscal year 2025. This marks a 37% reduction in approvals compared to the previous year.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals is a significant concern for the Indian IT industry, which has long relied on these visas to send skilled workers to the United States. The H-1B visa program allows US companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, such as technology and engineering. Indian IT firms have been among the largest users of the H-1B visa program, with many of the country’s top IT companies, including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, and Wipro, relying on these visas to staff their US operations.
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 received 16,043 H-1B visa approvals, compared to just 4,573 in 2025. This represents a decline of 71.5% over the past six years. The report notes that the decline in approvals is not limited to Indian IT firms, with US companies also experiencing a decline in H-1B visa approvals. However, the decline has been particularly steep for Indian IT firms, which have traditionally been among the largest users of the H-1B visa program.
The report also notes that TCS was the only Indian IT company among the top five firms in terms of H-1B visa approvals in 2025. The company received 1,424 H-1B visa approvals, followed by Cognizant (1,144 approvals), Infosys (844 approvals), Wipro (444 approvals), and Tech Mahindra (343 approvals). The decline in H-1B visa approvals has significant implications for the Indian IT industry, which is already facing significant challenges in the US market. The industry has been under pressure to reduce its dependence on H-1B visas and to hire more local workers in the US.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals is attributed to several factors, including changes in US immigration policies and increased scrutiny of H-1B visa applications. The US government has introduced several measures to restrict the use of H-1B visas, including increased fees and stricter eligibility criteria. Additionally, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has increased its scrutiny of H-1B visa applications, leading to a higher rate of denials and requests for evidence.
The Indian IT industry has been critical of the changes in US immigration policies, which it says are hurting the competitiveness of Indian IT firms in the US market. The industry has argued that the H-1B visa program is essential for the growth and development of the US technology industry, and that restrictions on the program will harm the US economy. The decline in H-1B visa approvals is also likely to have significant implications for the Indian economy, which is heavily reliant on the IT industry for exports and employment.
In conclusion, the decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms is a significant concern for the Indian IT industry. The industry will need to adapt to the changing US immigration policies and find new ways to staff its US operations. This may involve increasing its hiring of local workers in the US, as well as exploring alternative visa programs. The Indian government will also need to work with the US government to address the concerns of the Indian IT industry and to find ways to promote the growth and development of the industry.
About the Author
