India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said the US decision to suspend PERM applications at several IT companies would not, by itself, affect the validity of existing H-1B visas or the immigration status of their holders and dependents.
However, the ministry acknowledged that the suspension could affect the Green Card process for eligible employees of the companies concerned.
“The suspension of PERM applications does not, by itself, affect the validity of existing H-1B visas or the status of H-1B visa holders and their dependents,” the MEA said in a statement on October 9.
The ministry stressed that the movement of skilled professionals between India and the United States benefits both economies by supporting innovation, research, productivity and competitiveness.
Indian professionals contribute to US businesses through their technical expertise, research capabilities and innovation, while also supporting job creation and generating value for American shareholders. ministry said.
The MEA described skilled talent mobility as an area of significant mutual benefit for both countries and expressed concern that the measures announced by Washington did not advance their shared economic ambitions.
The ministry also criticised remarks made by US Vice-President JD Vance, describing them as “unwarranted”.
Without detailing the remarks in its statement, the MEA referred to the role immigrants have played in shaping the United States through their labour, entrepreneurship and innovation.
“Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive,” the ministry said.
PERM, or Permanent Labour Certification, is a process generally used by US employers seeking to sponsor eligible foreign workers for employment-based Green Cards.
A suspension of PERM applications can delay or disrupt the permanent-residency process for affected employees. However, it does not automatically cancel an existing H-1B visa or change the visa holder's status.
The distinction is important for Indian technology professionals working in the US, many of whom rely on employment-based immigration pathways to obtain permanent residency.
The MEA's statement focused on the potential impact on Green Card applications while reiterating India's position that skilled-worker mobility remains an important part of India-US economic cooperation.
The US PERM suspension targets companies like Microsoft, Cognizant , Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services , Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini.
TCS, India's largest IT services exporter, said it did not expect the suspension to affect its workforce strategy or client engagements, citing single-digit PERM applications over the past two years.