US Green Card freeze sets Indian IT employees on a tightrope

Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro and HCLTech are among the companies affected by the reported suspension of the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) process. The development has raised concerns among Indian technology workers about their prospects of securing employer-sponsored green cards.

However, the immediate impact on business operations may be limited. The PERM process is associated with employment-based permanent residency; the reported move does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas or bring ongoing projects to a halt.

Figures reported on Saturday showed that the four companies had recorded only 61 certified PERM cases collectively during the first nine months of the 2026 financial year.

For Indian professionals, the uncertainty is about more than paperwork. Permanent residency can influence family decisions, career mobility, and long-term financial planning. Companies may now have to reassess immigration strategies and staffing arrangements in the US.