Indian IT firms less exposed to US PERM visa programme suspension

Indian IT services firms have substantially reduced their filings under the US PERM (Permanent Employment) visa programme in recent years, even as they have simultaneously expanded their hiring of local talent within the United States. This strategic shift has positioned the Indian technology sector to weather potential regulatory changes affecting the employment-based green card system with relative ease.

The PERM programme, which facilitates permanent employment-based immigration to the United States, has traditionally been a crucial pathway for IT professionals seeking long-term residency. However, data indicates that major US technology companies have filed significantly more PERM applications than their Indian counterparts, suggesting a divergence in hiring and visa strategies between the two groups.

Industry analysts have attributed Indian IT firms' reduced reliance on PERM filings to a broader strategic recalibration. Rather than pursuing permanent green cards for foreign employees at scale, these companies have increasingly recruited American workers directly, investing in domestic talent acquisition and development programmes across their US operations.

This transition reflects both market pressures and regulatory uncertainty surrounding immigration policy in the United States. Should the PERM programme face suspension or substantial reforms, Indian IT services companies are expected to experience limited operational disruption compared to technology majors that have maintained higher filing volumes.

The shift also underscores evolving employment practices within the Indian IT sector, where companies are adapting their workforce strategies to reduce dependence on specific visa categories and build more localized talent pools in key markets like the United States.