Indian IT professionals planning to obtain US permanent residency through employer sponsorship have a new immigration development to follow. On 8 October 2026, US officials announced the suspension of Microsoft, Adobe and several major IT services companies from the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) programme, according to Reuters.
The reported action has raised questions for foreign professionals whose US Green Card applications depend on employer-sponsored labour certification. However, it is important to understand what PERM does, which companies have been named in reports, and why this announcement should not be interpreted as an automatic cancellation of every affected employee's visa or Green Card.
Quick Answer: US officials announced the suspension of Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini from the PERM programme, according to Reuters reporting on 8 October 2026. PERM is an important step in many employer-sponsored employment-based Green Card cases. The individual impact depends on the employee's immigration category, application stage and employer situation. The reported suspension does not, by itself, mean that all H-1B visas or previously issued Green Cards have been cancelled.
What Is the Latest US Green Card News for Indian IT Professionals?
The US government has announced action affecting eight major technology and IT services companies in connection with the PERM labour certification programme. The announcement was reported by Reuters on 8 October 2026.
The companies named in the reports are:
- Microsoft
- Adobe
- Cognizant
- Infosys
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
- Wipro
- HCL Technologies
- Capgemini
According to Reuters, US officials cited alleged fraud as the reason for the action and said the government would suspend the named companies from the programme.
These are allegations and government enforcement actions, not proof that every company or employee involved has committed wrongdoing. The precise scope, duration and individual consequences should be assessed using the relevant government notice and the employee's case details.
Source: Reuters — US suspending permanent residency programme for Microsoft, Vance says
What Is the PERM Programme?
PERM stands for Program Electronic Review Management. It is the US Department of Labor's permanent labour certification process, which is generally used when an employer sponsors a foreign worker for certain employment-based immigrant visa categories.
Before filing a PERM application, an employer generally has to complete the required recruitment process and demonstrate that the applicable requirements concerning available and qualified US workers have been met.
PERM is not itself a Green Card or a visa. It is one stage in a broader immigration process.
A typical employer-sponsored Green Card pathway may involve:
- PERM labour certification: Where required, the employer completes the labour certification process.
- Immigrant petition: The employer generally files Form I-140 with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), where required.
- Visa availability and final processing: The case proceeds according to the applicable employment-based category, priority date, visa availability and whether the applicant completes adjustment of status or consular processing.
Not every employment-based Green Card category requires PERM. The applicable process depends on the category and circumstances.
Official references:
US Department of Labor — Foreign Labor Certification
Why Does This Matter for Indian IT Professionals?
Indian professionals form a significant part of the US technology workforce. For eligible employees pursuing permanent residency through employer sponsorship, the PERM process can be a key stage in their long-term immigration plans.
If an employer cannot submit or progress a PERM application because of a suspension, an affected employee may face delays or uncertainty about the next step in the Green Card process.
The practical impact depends on several factors:
- Whether the employee's employer is covered by the suspension.
- Whether the employer has initiated recruitment or filed a PERM application.
- Whether the case is awaiting labour certification or has progressed to a later stage.
- Whether the employee has a separate, valid immigration status.
- Whether another immigration category or lawful pathway is available.
An employee should not assume that their case has automatically been cancelled or that they must leave the United States. They should obtain advice based on their own immigration records and current government instructions.
Does the PERM Suspension Mean H-1B Visas Are Cancelled?
No. A PERM suspension should not automatically be treated as an H-1B visa cancellation.
The H-1B programme and PERM labour certification serve different purposes.
An H-1B is a temporary nonimmigrant work status for eligible specialty-occupation workers. PERM is a labour certification process used in many employment-based permanent residency cases.
The consequences of a PERM-related enforcement action depend on its actual scope and the worker's circumstances. A person whose PERM case is affected should separately check the validity of their H-1B status, approved petitions, employment arrangements and any other applicable requirements.
Do not rely on social media posts claiming that every Indian employee working for one of the named companies has lost their visa or Green Card eligibility.
What Happens If an Employee's PERM Application Is Pending?
Employees with pending applications should first confirm whether their specific employer, legal entity and case are covered by the government action.
Possible concerns include:
- Delays in the labour certification stage.
- Uncertainty about whether an application can be filed or processed.
- Changes to an employer's immigration sponsorship plans.
- The need to review future filing dates and immigration-status timelines.
The exact consequences cannot be determined solely from the employer's name in a news report. The applicable government notice, case status and legal circumstances matter.
Employees should ask their employer's immigration team or a qualified US immigration attorney to review their case. They should avoid withdrawing applications, changing status or making travel decisions based only on online headlines.
What If PERM Is Already Approved or the I-140 Has Been Filed?
The stage of the case is particularly important.
- If PERM is pending: The employee should check whether the application is covered by the suspension and what instructions apply.
- If PERM has already been approved: The employee should not assume that the approval has automatically been revoked. They should confirm how the action applies to their particular case and any subsequent filing.
- If Form I-140 has been filed or approved: The employee should seek case-specific advice about the petition, priority date and any effect of the employer-related action. A PERM suspension does not, by itself, establish that every existing I-140 petition has been cancelled.
- If a Green Card has already been issued: The reported PERM action should not be interpreted as automatically cancelling previously issued permanent resident status.
These distinctions are essential because a labour certification, an immigrant petition and permanent resident status are separate stages or legal outcomes.
What Should Indian IT Professionals Do Now?
If you work for one of the companies named in the reports, or are planning a US employer-sponsored Green Card application, consider the following practical steps.
1. Confirm your exact case stage
Find out whether your employer is preparing a PERM application, has filed one, has received certification, or has progressed to an I-140 or a later stage.
2. Ask your employer for written clarification
Request information from your employer's immigration or human resources team about the status of your application and whether the reported action applies to your case.
3. Check official government updates
Review the US Department of Labor's labour certification information and USCIS guidance. News coverage can help explain an announcement, but official instructions and case-specific advice should guide your decisions.
4. Review your current immigration status separately
If you hold H-1B status or another US immigration status, check the validity of your current authorisation and any relevant deadlines. Do not assume that a PERM issue automatically ends your existing status.
5. Get advice before making major decisions
Consult a qualified US immigration attorney before withdrawing a filing, changing employers, making travel plans or choosing an alternative immigration route.
Are Other US Green Card Routes Affected?
The reported action concerns PERM and the companies identified in the announcement. It should not be interpreted as a blanket suspension of every US employment-based immigration category.
Some employment-based categories have different eligibility and filing requirements. For example, certain categories may permit applicants to file without employer-sponsored PERM labour certification when the relevant legal criteria are met.
However, these alternatives are not automatic substitutes. Eligibility, evidence, employer involvement and other requirements depend on the category.
Indian professionals should assess any alternative route individually instead of assuming that they can simply switch to another category.
What Does This Mean for Indians Planning to Work in the US?
For Indian IT professionals, this development highlights the importance of understanding the difference between temporary work authorisation and permanent residency.
A US job offer, an H-1B petition, a PERM application and a Green Card are not interchangeable. Each has its own rules and requirements.
People considering overseas career opportunities should evaluate their qualifications, employment plans, immigration options and long-term objectives before making decisions.
The latest announcement should be followed through official sources as further details become available. Its long-term impact on individual workers cannot be determined from the headline alone.
Final Takeaway
The reported PERM suspension affecting eight major technology companies is an important development for Indian IT professionals pursuing employer-sponsored US permanent residency. However, its impact depends on the employer, the specific government action and the employee's application stage.
Workers should verify their case through official channels, understand the difference between PERM and H-1B status, and obtain qualified legal advice before making immigration decisions.
