VOI World/ Simran Kaur
The number of H-1B nods for top IT firms has fallen sharply to 4,573 approvals in FY 2025, the lowest level in a decade, according to new data from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Employer Data Hub. The decline reflects a significant drop compared with earlier years, when major Indian IT service companies collectively secured far higher numbers of new H-1B petitions.
Many leading firms spanning IT services, consulting, and technology outsourcing received considerably fewer approvals than in previous cycles. In earlier years, combined approvals for these companies exceeded 15,000, illustrating how sharply the landscape has shifted over time.
Several factors are believed to have contributed to the downturn. These include stricter scrutiny of employer-employee relationships, more detailed documentation requirements, and a greater emphasis on specialized, advanced-degree talent in STEM fields. Such policy shifts tend to affect large IT service providers more than smaller, niche, or product-focused companies.
Industry analysts observe that the reduced H-1B nods for top IT firms may influence how Indian IT companies structure their global operations. While demand for skilled technology professionals in the US remains strong, lower visa availability can restrict on-site deployment of engineers for high-value or complex projects. As a result, companies may increasingly rely on hybrid models involving near-shore centers, remote delivery, and targeted local hiring within the US.
Despite these challenges, opportunities remain in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud engineering, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, where demand for talent continues to grow. The coming months will be important as policy discussions in the US may lead to adjustments in skilled migration pathways, shaping how IT firms manage future talent mobility and project execution.
