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.

If you’re planning to travel between India and the USA, make sure your visa and travel documents are valid before booking. You can also explore Indian Eagle deals to compare international flights from India to the USA and find suitable options for your next journey.

The post US Green Card PERM Suspension 2026: What TCS, Infosys & Wipro Employees Must Know appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.

The United States has introduced new visa-related changes that could affect some Indian professionals and travelers. The latest changes include an extension of restrictions on certain H-1B workers and wider social media screening for additional nonimmigrant visa categories. Here is a simple breakdown of the new US visa rules for Indians, who may be affected, and what applicants should know.

What are the latest US visa changes?

The latest visa updates involve two major policy changes:

• H-1B restriction extended
• Social media screening

H-1B restrictions extended until September 2027

The US has extended restrictions on the entry of certain H-1B workers for another 12 months. The policy will remain in effect until September 21, 2027, unless the US government extends it again. Under the proclamation, the United States restricts entry for certain H-1B workers unless the related petition comes with a $100,000 payment, subject to specific exceptions. The rule mainly applies to workers outside the United States who seek entry under a covered H-1B petition. This distinction matters because the rule does not mean that every person who holds an H-1B visa suddenly needs to pay $100,000.

Who has to pay the $100,000 H-1B amount?

The $100,000 requirement has attracted a lot of attention, but it is important to understand how it works. Under the proclamation, the employer filing the covered H-1B petition must obtain and keep proof that the payment has been made before filing for a worker outside the United States. The State Department must then verify the payment during the visa process. In other words, this is not a general personal fee that every H-1B worker must pay from their own pocket. It applies to certain petitions that fall within the scope of the restriction.

Why are H-1B changes important for Indians?

The H-1B program is particularly important for Indian professionals because India accounts for the largest share of approved H-1B beneficiaries. According to USCIS data for fiscal year 2024, people born in India accounted for 71% of approved H-1B petitions, while people born in China accounted for about 11.7%. That means any major change to H-1B rules can have a noticeable impact on Indian technology workers, engineers, researchers and other skilled professionals who use the program. However, the effect will depend on the type of petition and the worker’s individual immigration situation.

US expands social media screening for more visa categories

The second major change involves US visa social media screening. Beginning October 1, 2026, the State Department will expand its online presence review to three additional nonimmigrant visa categories:

• I visa – for qualifying foreign media representatives
• TN visa – for eligible Canadian and Mexican professionals under the USMCA
• TD visa – for eligible dependents of TN visa holders

Applicants in these categories will be instructed to set their social media profiles to public or open during the visa screening process.

Which new social media rule matters most to Indians?

Among the newly added categories, the I visa is likely to have the most direct relevance for Indian citizens. The I visa applies to eligible foreign journalists and other qualifying media representatives traveling to the United States for professional work. TN visas, on the other hand, are available to qualifying citizens of Canada and Mexico under the USMCA. TD visas apply to eligible dependents of TN visa holders. So while the State Department has added three categories, the change does not affect all Indian travelers equally.

Is social media screening new for US visa applicants?

No. The United States was already conducting online presence reviews for several visa categories before the latest announcement. The State Department already applies online presence screening to several visa categories, including H-1B, F-1, M-1 and J-1 applicants, along with various dependent and temporary-worker categories. So the latest announcement expands an existing screening practice rather than creating an entirely new process.

What does US visa social media screening involve?

The State Department says it uses available information during the visa vetting process to determine whether applicants meet visa requirements and whether national security or public safety concerns exist. For categories covered by the online presence review, applicants are instructed to make their social media profiles public or open. The current announcement does not provide a list of specific posts that applicants must remove, nor does it say that one particular type of post will automatically lead to visa refusal. Applicants should provide truthful information throughout the visa process and follow the instructions issued for their specific visa category.

Key dates applicants should know

• September 21, 2026: The extended H-1B restriction takes effect.
• October 1, 2026: Online presence screening expands to I, TN and TD visa applicants.
• September 21, 2027: The current H-1B restriction is scheduled to end unless the US government extends it again.

What does this mean for Indians planning to travel or work in the US?

The latest US visa rules for Indians do not affect every traveler or worker in the same way. The H-1B restriction mainly concerns certain employment petitions and workers seeking entry under those petitions. The social media update applies to specific visa categories rather than all Indian travelers. For applicants, the safest approach is to identify the exact visa category involved and check current official requirements instead of relying on broad claims about a new “$100,000 H-1B visa fee.”

The latest H-1B visa changes in 2026 and expanded social media screening add new requirements for some people planning to work or travel to the United States. The H-1B changes are especially relevant to Indian professionals because India accounts for the largest share of approved H-1B beneficiaries.

Applicants should check whether the rules apply to their case, follow official visa instructions and keep up with updates before making travel or employment plans. Those booking international flights can also explore Indian Eagle deals to compare airfare options for travel to the USA.

The post New US Visa Rules for Indians: H-1B Restrictions Extended and Social Media Checks Expanded appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.