The US has announced a suspension of PERM processing for certain technology companies, which may affect foreign professionals working in the country. The decision could delay permanent residency plans for some Indian H-1B visa holders. However, it does not automatically affect their existing H-1B status. The suspension does not, by itself, cancel their H-1B visas either. Here’s how the US Green Card PERM suspension 2026 may affect Indian professionals.

Why Did the US Suspend the PERM Programme for Eight Tech Companies?

The Trump administration has accused several major technology companies of misusing employment-based immigration programs and employing foreign workers while American workers faced layoffs or reduced job opportunities. US officials say the suspension aims to protect American jobs and strengthen immigration compliance. However, the government has not publicly established that every company named in the suspension committed immigration fraud.

Which Eight Companies Are Affected by the US Green Card PERM Suspension?

The US government named eight major technology and IT services companies in its October 8, 2026, announcement.

• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
• Infosys
• Wipro
• HCLTech
• Cognizant
• Capgemini
• Microsoft
• Adobe

What Is PERM and Why Is It Important for a US Green Card?

PERM stands for Program Electronic Review Management. This process plays a key role in helping foreign workers get employer-sponsored Green Cards in the United States. The US Department of Labor oversees this process. Before sponsoring a foreign employee through certain employment-based green card categories that require labor certification, an employer generally must show that it has followed US labor recruitment rules. The employer must demonstrate that:

• There are not enough qualified, willing and available US workers for the specific job.
• Hiring the foreign employee will not negatively affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed US workers.
• The company has completed the required recruitment and documentation process.

Once the Department of Labor certifies the labor certification application, the employer can generally move to the next stage of the green card process, which involves filing an immigrant petition with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Further steps depend on the employee’s eligibility and the availability of an immigrant visa.

How Will the PERM Suspension Affect Indian H-1B Visa Holders?

The impact of the US Green Card PERM suspension 2026 may vary for Indian H-1B workers based on their visa status and application progress. Employees who have not started the PERM process could face immediate difficulties because their employers cannot submit new PERM applications while the suspension remains in effect.

Workers who already have pending PERM applications may also face delays because the Department of Labor has announced a halt to processing those applications while the suspension remains in effect. Employees who have completed PERM and already received approval of their Form I-140 immigrant petition may face a different situation. Their eligibility to continue toward permanent residency depends on their individual immigration circumstances.

The suspension could create additional uncertainty for Indian professionals who have spent years working in the United States while planning to settle there permanently.

Will Existing H-1B Visas Be Cancelled?

No. The PERM suspension does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas or terminate a worker’s valid H-1B status. Employees who maintain valid H-1B status can generally continue living and working in the United States under the terms of their approved H-1B petition.

For example, an Indian software engineer working for TCS or Infosys does not automatically lose their H-1B status because the employer has been suspended from PERM. However, the employee’s long-term green card process may face delays if it depends on a new or pending PERM application. It is important to understand the difference between an H-1B visa and a green card.

H-1B status generally allows an eligible foreign professional to work temporarily in the United States under the terms of the approved petition. A green card provides lawful permanent resident status. The latest government action directly concerns a labor certification stage of certain green card applications, not the automatic cancellation of H-1B status.

What Will Happen to Pending PERM Green Card Applications?

The Department of Labor will temporarily stop reviewing PERM applications submitted by the affected companies. This means employees who already have applications under review could face additional waiting periods. However, a processing suspension does not automatically mean the government has rejected or cancelled those applications. At present, several important questions remain unanswered.

The government has not fully explained how long the suspension will continue, what will happen to pending applications once the suspension is lifted, or whether additional requirements will apply before processing resumes. Employees should ask their employers or immigration attorneys to confirm the exact status of their applications rather than assume that an application has been denied.

What About H-1B Workers Approaching the Six-Year Limit?

H-1B status generally has a maximum period of six years, although qualifying employees can receive extensions beyond that limit under specific rules. Some workers may become eligible for additional extensions if they meet specific employment-based immigration requirements.

For example, an eligible worker may qualify for one-year extensions if a qualifying labor certification application or immigrant petition was filed at least 365 days before the requested extension begins. A worker with an approved I-140 may qualify for extensions of up to three years in certain circumstances when an immigrant visa is unavailable because of per-country limits.

The PERM suspension could complicate immigration planning for workers approaching the end of their available H-1B period, particularly if they cannot meet the requirements for an extension beyond six years. However, H-1B workers approaching the six-year limit will not necessarily have to leave the US. Individual circumstances, filing dates and other immigration options remain important.

How Could the PERM Suspension Affect TCS, Infosys, Wipro and Other IT Companies?

The suspension may lead major IT companies to review how they hire employees and keep skilled workers in the US. Companies that previously used PERM sponsorship to support foreign workers may need to reconsider some of their immigration and workforce plans. Possible responses include reviewing green cards, increasing local recruitment, sponsorship policies and investing more resources in immigration compliance. Some employers may also examine alternative immigration routes for employees who qualify. However, these are possible responses, not confirmed decisions by every affected company.

What Should Indian H-1B Workers Do After the PERM Suspension?

Indian employees working for affected companies should focus on understanding their current immigration position. Here are five practical steps.

• Check your immigration status.
• Ask your employer about PERM sponsorship.
• Review your Form I-140 status.
• Keep important immigration documents.
• Speak with a qualified immigration attorney.

Workers should not assume that the PERM suspension automatically ends their right to work in the United States.

The US Green Card PERM suspension 2026 may delay the green card process for Indian H-1B visa holders working at affected technology companies. However, it does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas or invalidate previously approved green cards. Indian professionals should stay updated on US immigration rules and check their application status with their employers.

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