US Green Card Suspension 2026: 8 IT Companies Affected

The US Green Card suspension announced in October 2026 has raised questions among Indian IT professionals working in the United States, particularly employees whose employers sponsor permanent residency applications. Eight major technology and IT services companies have been named in reports about the suspension of the US Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) programme for those employers.

The companies named are Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini. The reported action prevents the US Department of Labor from accepting new or processing pending PERM applications involving these companies. The move is part of a broader US immigration enforcement effort focused on alleged misuse of employment-based immigration programmes.

For Indian professionals, the distinction is important: a suspension of PERM processing is not the same as automatically cancelling existing Green Cards or H-1B visas. The practical impact depends on an employee’s immigration status, employer, application stage and the duration of the restrictions.

This article explains the US Green Card suspension in 2026, the eight companies affected, what PERM means, possible implications for Indian IT workers and the official sources to monitor for further updates.

US Green Card Suspension 2026: Latest Update

The US administration announced action against eight major technology and IT services companies on October 8, 2026, according to reports published by Reuters and other news organisations concerning the US Green Card suspension.

The action focuses on the PERM labour-certification process, which is commonly used by employers sponsoring eligible foreign workers for employment-based permanent residency.

US officials have alleged that some employers misused the programme in ways that disadvantaged American workers. These are allegations underlying the government’s action, not a finding that every employee or every application associated with the companies was fraudulent.

What has reportedly been suspended?

The reported restriction concerns new and pending PERM applications involving the named companies. PERM is an important step in many employer-sponsored Green Card cases, so the action may delay or disrupt affected employees’ permanent-residency plans.

The scope of any individual case should be confirmed through the employer’s immigration team or a qualified US immigration lawyer. Employees should not assume that every immigration process involving their company is automatically suspended.

Which 8 IT Companies Are Affected by the US Green Card Suspension?

The eight companies named in reports about the October 2026 action are listed below. For those exploring opportunities across different regions, review the best countries to work abroad for Indians.

No.	Company	What Employees Should Check
1	Microsoft	Whether an employer-sponsored PERM case is affected and what the employer’s immigration team advises
2	Adobe	The status of any planned or pending PERM labour certification
3	Cognizant	Whether the employee’s specific Green Card sponsorship route depends on PERM processing
4	Infosys	Current employer guidance for affected PERM cases
5	Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)	Whether the employee’s case falls within the reported restrictions
6	Wipro	The status of any employer-sponsored labour-certification process
7	HCL Technologies	Whether pending or planned PERM steps can proceed
8	Capgemini	The effect of the reported restrictions on the employee’s specific case

Important: Being employed by one of these companies does not, by itself, establish that a person’s current visa or existing Green Card has been cancelled. The reported action concerns PERM applications. Employees should seek case-specific confirmation from their employer.

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

PERM stands for Program Electronic Review Management. It is the US Department of Labor’s labour-certification process used in many employer-sponsored employment-based Green Card cases.

In a typical employer-sponsored case, the employer completes the required labour-certification process before proceeding with the relevant immigrant petition and later stages, where applicable.

How the PERM process generally works

1. Employer-sponsored job opportunity: An employer identifies a qualifying permanent position and determines the appropriate immigration route.
2. Prevailing wage determination: The employer obtains the required wage determination where applicable.
3. Recruitment and labour certification: The employer completes required recruitment steps and applies for PERM certification, subject to the programme’s rules.
4. Immigrant petition: After certification, the employer may file the relevant immigrant petition, if eligible.
5. Green Card stage: The employee may proceed to the applicable adjustment-of-status or consular-processing stage when eligible and when an immigrant visa is available.

This is a simplified explanation. The sequence and requirements can differ depending on the Green Card category and the employee’s circumstances.

Why a PERM suspension matters

If an employer cannot submit a new PERM application or a pending application cannot be processed, employees who depend on that route may face uncertainty about when their employer can move their case forward.

The effect is not identical for every employee. Someone whose case has not yet reached PERM may face a different situation from someone whose labour certification has already been approved or who has reached a later immigration stage.

Does the US Green Card Suspension Affect H-1B Visa Holders?

The reported PERM suspension does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas.

The H-1B is a temporary employment visa, while PERM is a labour-certification process used in many employment-based permanent-residency cases. They serve different purposes.

However, an employee on H-1B status who is relying on employer-sponsored PERM may face uncertainty about the next step toward permanent residency or alternative employer-sponsored jobs abroad.

Possible implications of US Green Card suspension for Indian IT professionals

• Employees planning to begin PERM: Their employer may be unable to start the process while the restriction applies.
• Employees with pending PERM applications: The reported pause may prevent processing while the restriction remains in effect.
• Employees with approved PERM certification: They should ask their employer’s immigration team whether the restriction affects any subsequent steps in their individual case.
• Employees who already have a Green Card: The reported PERM action is not, by itself, a blanket cancellation of existing permanent-resident status.
• Employees on H-1B status: They should continue to follow the conditions and expiry dates of their own immigration status and seek advice about extensions or other options as necessary.

Do not make decisions about leaving a job, changing employers or travelling internationally based solely on a headline. Individual immigration consequences depend on the employee’s circumstances and the rules applicable to their case.

Why Has the US Suspended PERM Processing for These Companies?

US officials have described the action as part of an effort to enforce labour and immigration rules and protect American workers. They have alleged that some employers used foreign-worker programmes in ways that disadvantaged US employees.

The reported restrictions have also prompted concerns about the impact on skilled foreign workers and US employers that rely on international talent.

It is important to distinguish between the government’s stated allegations and proven findings about an individual case. The suspension does not establish that every worker sponsored by a named company violated immigration law.

The scope and duration of the restrictions, and any further official decisions, will be important in determining the long-term impact.

What Does the Green Card Suspension Mean for Indian IT Workers?

Indian professionals make up a significant part of the US technology workforce. For employees relying on employer-sponsored permanent residency, a pause in PERM processing may create uncertainty around long-term plans. You can also explore options for US company jobs from India.

1. Delays in permanent-residency planning

Employees whose employers have not yet initiated PERM may need to ask how the reported restriction affects their expected timeline. Those with pending applications should seek confirmation of the current case status.

2. Uncertainty about long-term employment plans in preferred work destinations

Some workers consider permanent residency when deciding whether to remain in the United States. Uncertainty about sponsorship may influence career planning, family decisions and future relocation choices.

3. Employer-specific guidance becomes important

The effect may vary by company, employee and application stage. Employers may issue guidance about their immigration programmes and any steps available to affected staff.

4. Other immigration options require individual assessment

Some people may qualify for other immigration categories, but alternatives have their own eligibility criteria. For example, certain employment-based categories may allow eligible applicants to self-petition. They are not automatic substitutes for PERM, and employees seeking visa sponsorship jobs abroad should obtain qualified legal advice before relying on another route.

5. Avoid panic and misinformation

Social media claims that all Indian IT workers at the eight companies have lost their visas or must leave the United States are not an accurate description of the reported PERM suspension.

Employees should rely on official government notices, employer communications and qualified legal advice.

What Should Employees at the Eight Companies Do Now?

If you work for Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL Technologies or Capgemini, consider the following practical steps.

Step 1: Confirm your current immigration status

Check your visa and immigration documents, including applicable expiry dates and any work authorisation conditions. A PERM restriction should not be treated as a replacement for reviewing your own status.

Step 2: Ask your employer’s immigration team about your case

Find out whether your PERM application has been filed, whether it is pending, whether certification has already been granted and whether the reported action affects the next stage.

Step 3: Keep copies of your records

Maintain copies of relevant notices, approved petitions, labour-certification documents, visa records and employer communications. Store sensitive documents securely.

Step 4: Get advice before making major decisions

Before resigning, changing employers, travelling or pursuing a different immigration category, consider speaking with a qualified US immigration lawyer who can assess your individual circumstances. If considering a role change, refer to our guide on how to switch careers strategically.

Step 5: Monitor official updates

The scope and duration of an enforcement action can change. Follow the official portals of the US Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) and USCIS Employment-Based Immigration for relevant updates regarding the US Green Card suspension, and ask your employer to explain any official instructions affecting your case.

Is the Green Card Suspension Permanent?

The reported action does not, by itself, establish that the restrictions will remain permanent.

The duration, any extensions, further enforcement decisions and the treatment of individual cases need to be confirmed through official updates. Do not assume that the restriction will end on a particular date unless an authoritative source confirms it.

Employees and employers should distinguish between the announcement of a suspension, the legal scope of that action and any later changes to the policy.

Are All US IT Companies Affected?

No. The October 2026 reports specifically identify eight companies. Reuters reported that companies including Meta, Amazon and Google’s parent company Alphabet were not included in the reported US Green Card suspension at the time of publication. For broader tech hiring, check the list of top IT companies hiring.

That does not mean every other employer is guaranteed to remain unaffected by future immigration enforcement actions. Companies and workers should monitor official notices rather than assume that the current list will never change.

Does the Suspension Cancel Existing Green Cards?

The reported PERM action is not a blanket cancellation of existing Green Cards.

A Green Card grants lawful permanent-resident status, subject to applicable law. A restriction on an employer’s ability to submit or advance PERM labour-certification applications is a different matter.

If you already hold a Green Card, do not assume that your status has been cancelled simply because your employer appears on the reported list. If you have received an individual immigration notice or have a separate legal concern, seek qualified advice.

US Green Card Suspension 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

Which eight IT companies are affected by the US Green Card suspension?

The companies named in reports published on October 8–9, 2026, are Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini.

Is the US suspending all Green Cards for Indian citizens?

No. The reported action concerns PERM labour-certification applications involving the named employers. It is not a blanket suspension of every Green Card application filed by Indian citizens.

Are existing H-1B visas cancelled?

The reported PERM suspension does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas. Employees must continue to comply with the rules and conditions of their own immigration status.

What is PERM processing suspension?

It refers to the reported restriction on accepting new or processing pending Permanent Labor Certification applications involving the named companies. PERM is a step used in many employer-sponsored Green Card cases.

Can employees at these companies still work in the USA?

The reported PERM action does not, by itself, mean that every employee has lost work authorisation. The employee’s current visa or status and its conditions determine whether they may continue working.

What should an Infosys, TCS or Wipro employee do now?

Check your current immigration documents, contact your employer’s immigration team to confirm your case status and seek qualified legal advice if you are unsure how the reported action affects you.

Can employees switch employers to avoid the suspension?

Changing employers does not automatically solve an immigration issue. The new employer, job, visa status and applicable immigration procedures all matter. Learn more about work visa countries for Indians before making a move.

Will the suspension affect future Green Card applications?

It may affect employees whose employer-sponsored cases depend on PERM processing while the restrictions apply. The impact on future cases will depend on the scope and duration of the action and any subsequent government decisions.

Is the US Green Card suspension permanent?

The reported announcement does not establish that the restriction is permanent. Monitor official government updates for its duration, scope and any changes.

Where can I check official US immigration updates?

Check the DOL Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) for PERM-related system announcements and the USCIS Newsroom for applicable employment-based immigration guidance on the US Green Card suspension. For a case-specific interpretation, consult your employer’s immigration team or a qualified US immigration lawyer.

Conclusion

The US Green Card suspension announced in October 2026 is an important development for employees whose employer-sponsored permanent-residency plans depend on PERM processing. The eight companies named in reporting are Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini.

For Indian IT workers, the most important distinction is that a PERM processing suspension is not the same as an automatic cancellation of existing H-1B visas or Green Cards. The practical consequences depend on the employee’s status, application stage and the scope of the restrictions.

Employees should confirm their individual case status with their employer, preserve their immigration records and monitor official updates. Because immigration rules and enforcement actions can change, avoid making major employment or travel decisions based on unverified claims.