US Freezes PERM Access for Top IT Firms, Hits Green Card Route for Indian Techies

The US administration has suspended access to the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme for several major technology companies, including Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCLTech, Microsoft, Cognizant, Adobe, and Capgemini. The PERM process serves as a crucial first step for employers seeking permanent residency on behalf of foreign staff. The freeze blocks affected firms from making fresh filings, directly impacting future employer-sponsored green card pathways for thousands of foreign professionals, particularly Indian technology workers. Addressing the crackdown, US Vice President JD Vance stated that firms are under scrutiny over alleged visa fraud and replacement of American personnel with foreign labour, calling on the Congress to reform the H-1B system. Suspended companies affirmed their compliance with US Department of Labour directives, with Tata noting its focus on local hiring and Microsoft clarifying its prior visa filings. The measure does not revoke existing valid H-1B statuses or approved labour certifications, but significantly narrows future permanent residency options.