First-time H-1B approvals for major Indian IT companies have plunged to just 4,573 — the lowest level in a decade — according to new data from the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP).
As per NFAP, the data reflected a 70 percent drop from FY 2015 and 37 percent fewer than in FY 2024.
The latest data indicate a shift has occurred: Only three Indian-based companies in FY 2025 were among the top 25 employers with approved H-1B petitions for initial employment.
H-1B petitions for initial employment are primarily for new employment, which, for companies, are cases counted against the H-1B annual limit of 65,000, with an exemption of 20,000 for individuals with master’s degrees or higher from a U.S. university.
The NFAP analysis is based on data from the USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub.
Approximately 700,000 people live and work in the U.S. in H-1B status, according to an NFAP analysis.
In FY 2025, Amazon had the most approved H-1B petitions for continuing employment, with 14,532, followed by TCS (5,293), Microsoft (4,863), Meta Platforms (4,740), Apple (4,610) and Google (4,509), as per the NFAP website.
What is the H1B visa programme?
As per the US Department of Labour website, the H-1B program applies to employers seeking to hire non-immigrant aliens as workers in speciality occupations or as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.
“A speciality occupation is one that requires the application of a body of highly specialised knowledge and the attainment of at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. The intent of the H-1B provisions is to help employers who cannot otherwise obtain needed business skills and abilities from the U.S. workforce by authorising the temporary employment of qualified individuals who are not otherwise authorised to work in the United States,” the website said.
