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 most pressing issues is 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 severe implications for the industry, which has long relied on the H-1B visa program to bring skilled workers to the United States.
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 fiscal year 2025. This marks a 37% reduction since last year, highlighting the accelerating decline in H-1B visa approvals. TCS was the only Indian IT company to feature among the top five firms, underscoring the significant challenges faced by other Indian IT services providers.
The H-1B visa program is a non-immigrant visa classification that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. The program is highly sought after by Indian IT services companies, which rely on it to bring skilled workers to the United States to work on projects for American clients. However, in recent years, the program has come under scrutiny, with many critics arguing that it is being used to displace American workers.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals has significant implications for Indian IT services companies, which have long relied on the program to deliver services to American clients. The reduction in approvals means that these companies will have to find alternative ways to deliver services, which could increase costs and reduce competitiveness. Moreover, the decline in approvals also has implications for the Indian economy, which has long benefited from the remittances sent back by Indian workers in the United States.
The NFAP report highlights the significant decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT services companies over the past few years. In 2015, the top seven Indian IT firms secured 16,408 initial-employment petitions, which has declined by 70% to just 4,573 in fiscal year 2025. This decline is attributed to various factors, including changes in U.S. immigration policies, increased scrutiny of visa applications, and a shift towards digital transformation and automation.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals is not limited to Indian IT services companies. The NFAP report reveals that the total number of H-1B visa approvals has declined significantly over the past few years, with the total number of approvals declining by 24% between 2018 and 2020. This decline has significant implications for the U.S. economy, which relies heavily on skilled foreign workers to fill labor gaps in key sectors such as technology and healthcare.
The Indian IT services industry has been working to adapt to the decline in H-1B visa approvals by increasing its focus on digital transformation and automation. Many Indian IT services companies have invested heavily in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud computing, which has enabled them to deliver services more efficiently and effectively. Additionally, many companies have also increased their focus on hiring local talent in the United States, which has helped to reduce their reliance on H-1B visas.
In conclusion, the decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT services companies is a significant challenge that has severe implications for the industry. The 70% decline in approvals since 2015 highlights the need for Indian IT services companies to adapt to changing U.S. immigration policies and to increase their focus on digital transformation and automation. While the decline in approvals is a challenge, it also presents an opportunity for Indian IT services companies to innovate and evolve, and to find new ways to deliver services to American clients.
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