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, particularly with regards 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 significant 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 the 2025 fiscal year. This marks a 37% reduction from the previous year, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by Indian IT companies in securing H-1B visas. The report also notes that Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was the only Indian IT company to feature among the top five firms in terms of H-1B visa approvals.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms can be attributed to several factors, including changes in US immigration policies and increased scrutiny of visa applications. The Trump administration’s “Buy American, Hire American” executive order, issued in 2017, has had a significant impact on the H-1B visa program. The order directed federal agencies to review and revise their visa policies to prioritize American workers and reduce the number of foreign workers entering the country.
The USCIS has also implemented various measures to tighten the H-1B visa program, including increased scrutiny of visa applications and a more rigorous review process. The agency has also introduced new rules and regulations, such as the requirement for employers to provide detailed information about the work to be performed by H-1B visa holders and the implementation of a new electronic registration system for H-1B visa petitions.
The decline in H-1B visa approvals has significant implications for Indian IT firms, which have long relied on the program to bring skilled workers to the United States. Many Indian IT companies have significant operations in the US and rely on H-1B visa holders to deliver services to their clients. The reduction in H-1B visa approvals has forced many of these companies to explore alternative options, such as hiring local talent or setting up delivery centers in other countries.
The impact of the decline in H-1B visa approvals is not limited to Indian IT firms. The reduction in the number of skilled workers entering the US has also had a significant impact on the American economy. Many US companies rely on H-1B visa holders to fill critical skill gaps, particularly in the tech industry. The decline in H-1B visa approvals has forced many of these companies to delay or cancel projects, resulting in significant losses and reduced competitiveness.
The NFAP report highlights the need for the US government to reform the H-1B visa program to ensure that it is aligned with the needs of the American economy. The report suggests that the US government should increase the number of H-1B visas available and reduce the scrutiny of visa applications. The report also recommends that the US government should introduce measures to attract and retain top talent from around the world, including the creation of a startup visa program and the introduction of a points-based immigration system.
In conclusion, the decline in H-1B visa approvals for Indian IT firms is a significant concern for the industry. The reduction in H-1B visa approvals has forced many Indian IT companies to explore alternative options and has had a significant impact on the American economy. The US government needs to reform the H-1B visa program to ensure that it is aligned with the needs of the American economy and to attract and retain top talent from around the world.
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