New Delhi: New data shows that Indian IT companies are receiving far fewer H 1B visa approvals in the United States than they did in previous years.

According to a recent report based on data from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the top Indian technology firms received only around 4573 new H 1B approvals for fiscal year 2025. This is the lowest level seen in the past ten years.

The decline is significant when compared to earlier years. In 2015, the same companies received nearly 70 percent more approvals. Even when compared to the last fiscal year, the number has dropped by more than one third. Experts say this shows a clear shift in how the US technology workforce is being built.

Among Indian companies, Tata Consultancy Services continues to appear in the top five employers for new H 1B approvals in 2025. However, even TCS saw growing challenges. While the company received more than 5200 approvals for visa extensions, the rejection rate increased from 4 percent last year to 7 percent this year.

In contrast, US based technology giants such as Amazon, Google, Meta Platforms and Microsoft are now dominating the list for new H 1B approvals. Analysts say this suggests that American companies are relying more on foreign skilled workers for specialised roles, while Indian outsourcing firms are slowing down overseas hiring.

Industry observers believe several reasons may be behind the decline for Indian companies. These include tighter visa scrutiny, changing US labour policies and the rise of remote work.

Many Indian companies are now choosing to hire talent within the United States rather than transferring employees from India.

The data also reveals a wider trend. A large number of H 1B visas being approved today are extensions for workers already in the US, not for new applicants. This suggests that the programme is becoming more focused on retaining existing foreign workers rather than bringing in new ones.

For Indian tech workers hoping to move to the United States, this shift could mean fewer opportunities through outsourcing companies. At the same time, direct hiring by American tech firms continues to offer paths for highly skilled professionals.