The United States has suspended several major technology companies, including Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe, from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme (PERM), according to an announcement on October 8, 2026.
The programme allows eligible employers to seek labour certification as part of the process of sponsoring certain foreign workers for employment-based green cards. The suspensions could affect the companies’ ability to proceed with PERM-related applications for workers, including some employees on H-1B visas.
US Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling announced the action alongside Vice-President J.D. Vance, who leads the US Anti-Fraud Task Force. The move places major technology firms under scrutiny as the administration focuses on compliance with employment-based immigration rules.
PERM is an important step in many employment-based green card cases. Employers generally must demonstrate that there are not sufficient qualified, willing and available US workers for the position and that hiring a foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed US workers.
The impact on individual employees will depend on their circumstances and the scope and duration of the suspensions. A suspension from the PERM programme does not automatically mean that every affected employee loses their H-1B status or must leave the United States. H-1B status and employment-based permanent residency are separate immigration processes.
The announcement is significant for technology companies that recruit international professionals and sponsor employees for permanent residency. Further details about the reasons for the suspensions, the companies’ responses and the process for resolving the restrictions will be important in assessing the broader consequences for employers and workers.

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