TCS to Hire 15,000 Employees in US Despite New Green Card Restrictions

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) plans to hire 15,000 additional employees in the United States over the next five years, maintaining its recruitment strategy despite new restrictions on employment-based green card applications affecting major technology companies. The Indian IT services giant has indicated that the suspension of its participation in the US Permanent Labor Certification programme, known as PERM, is unlikely to significantly affect its operations or hiring plans. The company has reportedly filed only a single-digit number of PERM applications over the past two years.

The development comes as US authorities tighten scrutiny of employment-based immigration programmes used by technology companies to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency. The restrictions announced on October 8 affect eight major technology companies, including TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Cognizant, Microsoft, Adobe and Capgemini. The suspension covers new and pending PERM applications involving the affected employers.

PERM certification is an important step in many employer-sponsored green card applications. It generally requires employers to demonstrate that hiring a foreign worker for a particular position meets US labour-market requirements. The latest move could create uncertainty for employees whose permanent residency plans depend on this process.

The suspension does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas or green cards. Its impact will depend on individual immigration circumstances and the status of each application. TCSs planned recruitment drive highlights its continued focus on building a local workforce in the US. Hiring American graduates and experienced professionals can help the company meet client requirements while reducing its dependence on overseas recruitment for certain roles.

The proposed 15,000 hires are expected to be spread over five years, rather than conducted as a single recruitment exercise. The pace of hiring will depend on business requirements, client demand and the companys expansion plans. The development is significant for Indias IT industry, which has a substantial presence in the American technology market. Companies operating in the US may increasingly focus on local recruitment and campus hiring as immigration regulations evolve.

For Indian technology professionals seeking long-term employment in the US, the restrictions could make employer-sponsored permanent residency pathways more uncertain. Nevertheless, TCSs stated hiring commitment indicates that it intends to continue expanding its US workforce despite the changing regulatory environment. The wider impact of the restrictions will depend on how long the suspension remains in place and whether further changes are introduced to US skilled-worker immigration policies.

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