H-1B registrations by Indian IT companies have dropped sharply in the US financial year 2027 lottery, with Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Cognizant recording some of the steepest declines among major technology employers. The figures highlight how changes to US immigration policy, higher employer costs and a new wage-weighted selection system are reshaping the recruitment of foreign technology professionals.
According to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report published on October 14, 2026, Infosys reduced its H-1B registrations by approximately 91%, while TCS recorded a 95% decline. Cognizant, which submitted thousands of registrations in the previous lottery, submitted none for FY2027.
The fall in H-1B registrations by Indian IT companies comes as President Donald Trump’s administration introduces measures intended to prioritise higher-paid and higher-skilled workers and address what it describes as misuse of the H-1B programme.
For Indian technology professionals hoping to work in the United States, the figures raise important questions about future hiring, sponsorship opportunities and the role of overseas recruitment in the technology industry.
H-1B Registrations by Indian IT Companies: Latest Figures
The FY2027 lottery figures show a dramatic reduction in registrations submitted by three of the largest technology services companies operating in the US and India.
According to the data cited in the CRS report and the US government’s published material, the company-level figures changed substantially between FY2026 and FY2027.
| Company | FY2026 registrations | FY2027 registrations | Approximate decline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infosys | 8,886 | 759 | 91% |
| Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) | 5,955 | 284 | 95% |
| Cognizant | 3,752 | 0 | 100% |
Infosys submitted 759 registrations in FY2027, compared with 8,886 in the previous year. TCS fell from 5,955 registrations to just 284, while Cognizant’s total dropped from 3,752 to zero.
These figures illustrate the scale of the change in H-1B registrations by Indian IT companies. However, they should not be interpreted as a direct measure of total employment, layoffs or the number of Indian professionals currently working in America.
The figures cover registrations submitted for the annual H-1B cap selection process. They do not show the full number of employees already holding H-1B status, nor do they establish how many registrations would eventually have resulted in approved petitions.
The broader trend is also reflected in a September 23, 2026, Federal Register publication. It reported that the largest IT staffing and outsourcing firms collectively reduced their registrations from 24,946 to 2,055, a decline of approximately 92%.
Why Are H-1B Registrations Falling So Sharply?
Several policy changes have altered the financial and regulatory environment for US employers seeking to hire foreign professionals.
The Trump administration has argued that the H-1B programme should primarily benefit highly skilled workers and should not be used to replace American employees with lower-paid foreign labour. Its policy measures have focused on employer payments, wage levels, selection procedures and compliance.
For Indian IT services companies, which have historically used international recruitment to staff client projects, these changes can influence decisions about whether to enter workers into the lottery or recruit through other routes.
1. A $100,000 payment for certain new H-1B workers
In September 2025, the administration introduced a $100,000 payment requirement covering certain new H-1B workers coming to the United States from abroad, subject to the applicable exceptions.
The requirement is not a universal $100,000 charge on every existing H-1B holder or every H-1B registration. Its application depends on the circumstances covered by the presidential proclamation and subsequent implementation measures.
Nevertheless, the payment can substantially increase the cost of bringing eligible workers from overseas. Employers must consider whether the cost is justified by the role, the worker’s specialist expertise and the needs of the project.
For large IT services companies managing international client contracts, the additional expense may affect recruitment planning, staffing models and the allocation of work between US-based and overseas teams.
2. A wage-weighted H-1B selection system
The FY2027 lottery was the first to use the new weighted selection process introduced in February 2026.
Under the revised system, selection is weighted to favour positions offering higher wages, rather than relying solely on the previous random selection approach. The administration says the change is intended to improve access for higher-skilled and higher-paid workers.
This shift is particularly relevant to employers whose hiring plans include positions at different wage levels. Companies may reassess job offers, salary structures and which roles justify a lottery registration.
However, a higher salary does not guarantee selection or approval. Employers must still meet the relevant requirements, and a registration is only an entry into the selection process.
3. Proposed higher prevailing-wage requirements
The Department of Labor proposed changes to prevailing-wage requirements in March 2026. The CRS report estimated that the proposed changes could increase employer costs by approximately $1.46 billion in the first year.
Prevailing wages help determine the minimum compensation employers must offer certain foreign workers. If the requirements increase, companies may face higher costs when sponsoring eligible positions.
The wage proposal should be distinguished from a final rule: proposed changes can be revised before they are implemented.
What the Federal Register Says About the H-1B Decline
An official Federal Register publication dated September 23, 2026, reported that the largest IT staffing and outsourcing firms had reduced combined H-1B registrations by approximately 92%, from 24,946 to 2,055.
The same publication reported a shift in the composition of FY2027 registrations and selections towards workers with higher qualifications and higher wage offers.
The share of registrants with at least a US master’s degree increased from 45.1% in FY2026 to 66.1% in FY2027, according to the government’s figures. Job offers corresponding to the two highest wage levels accounted for approximately 46.3% of selections, while those corresponding to the lowest wage level accounted for 17.8%.
The administration has presented these changes as evidence that its policies are reducing lower-wage recruitment and shifting opportunities towards higher-paid professionals.
The data show a significant change in registration patterns. However, they do not independently establish the long-term effect on productivity, worker displacement, technology-sector employment or the availability of specialist skills.
For companies and applicants, the immediate significance is that the cost and selection environment for new H-1B recruitment has changed substantially.
What the Decline Means for Indian IT Workers
The decline in H-1B registrations by Indian IT companies could affect professionals seeking new US employment through employer sponsorship. The precise impact will depend on each company’s hiring strategy, the candidate’s qualifications and the type of position involved.
Fewer fresh lottery registrations from some employers
A company submitting fewer registrations has fewer candidates entering the cap lottery through that registration process. Cognizant’s zero registrations and the sharp reductions at Infosys and TCS therefore indicate a significant change in their FY2027 lottery participation.
However, this does not mean that every job opportunity at these companies has disappeared. Registration data alone cannot establish how many vacancies remain available or how many employees will ultimately work in the US.
Greater emphasis on specialist and higher-paid roles
The weighted selection system may encourage employers to focus on positions with higher wage levels and specialised skill requirements.
Technology professionals with relevant expertise in areas such as cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, enterprise systems and advanced software engineering may continue to encounter opportunities where employers have genuine hiring needs.
Nevertheless, no particular skill guarantees an H-1B selection. Employers must satisfy the applicable rules, and candidates should not rely on salary or specialisation alone when assessing their prospects.
More attention to alternative staffing arrangements
Companies may consider a wider range of staffing options, including hiring professionals already authorised to work in the US, using eligible transfers, expanding local recruitment or assigning certain project responsibilities to teams outside the country.
These approaches are not interchangeable, and each has its own legal, operational and commercial requirements. A company’s decision will depend on client commitments, project location, immigration eligibility and the availability of qualified workers.
The decline in registrations therefore signals a change in recruitment patterns rather than proof of a uniform reduction in employment across the entire Indian IT industry.
Do the Figures Mean Indian IT Companies Are Leaving the US?
No. The registration figures alone do not establish that Infosys, TCS or Cognizant are withdrawing from the US market.
The United States remains an important market for technology consulting, software services and digital transformation. A reduction in new lottery registrations may reflect a change in how companies staff projects rather than a decision to stop serving American clients.
Companies can continue operating US offices, recruiting locally and employing workers who already have appropriate work authorisation. They may also adjust how responsibilities are distributed between US-based employees and overseas delivery centres.
It is important to distinguish a reduction in new H-1B lottery entries from a reduction in the total workforce or a company’s overall business activity.
The available registration figures do not provide enough information to quantify any resulting job losses, changes in revenue or shifts in the number of employees working in the United States.
What Should Indian Professionals Do Now?
Candidates planning to pursue US technology jobs should pay close attention to employer sponsorship policies and the requirements of individual vacancies.
Check whether an employer sponsors H-1B candidates. Sponsorship practices can differ between companies, departments and roles. Applicants should confirm the position’s requirements directly with the employer.
Focus on relevant qualifications and experience. Employers may prioritise candidates whose expertise aligns with the needs of a specialised position. Strong credentials can improve a candidate’s competitiveness, but they do not guarantee lottery selection or visa approval.
Understand the costs and rules. The $100,000 payment applies to certain cases rather than every H-1B worker. Candidates should seek reliable information about how the requirements apply to their circumstances.
Consider multiple career options. Professionals may explore opportunities in India, other international markets or US positions for which they already have appropriate work authorisation. Decisions should be based on career goals and eligibility, not assumptions drawn from registration totals alone.
Use official sources for immigration updates. Applicants should review information from US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of Labor and the Department of State, or consult a qualified immigration attorney where necessary.
What Happens Next for H-1B Registrations by Indian IT Companies?
The sharp decline in H-1B registrations by Indian IT companies demonstrates how changes in immigration policy can influence employer behaviour. The FY2027 figures show that Infosys, TCS and Cognizant submitted substantially fewer registrations than in the previous year, while the largest IT staffing and outsourcing firms collectively recorded a decline of around 92%.
The next important indicators will include employer hiring decisions, petition filings, selection outcomes and the implementation of proposed wage and immigration rules. These developments will help clarify whether the FY2027 figures represent a lasting change in recruitment practices or a response to the current policy environment.
For Indian professionals, the central takeaway is that the route to US employment may be becoming more selective and costly for certain employers and applicants. However, the registration decline should not be mistaken for a complete shutdown of H-1B opportunities or proof that existing visa holders have lost their status.
Final Takeaway On H-1B Registrations by Indian IT Companies
H-1B registrations by Indian IT companies fell dramatically in the FY2027 lottery. Infosys registrations dropped 91%, TCS registrations declined 95%, and Cognizant submitted no registrations, according to the figures cited by the Congressional Research Service.
The changes coincide with a wage-weighted selection system, a $100,000 payment requirement for certain new workers coming from abroad and proposed higher prevailing-wage requirements.
While these measures are reshaping recruitment decisions, the published figures do not establish the number of jobs lost or indicate that the companies have left the US market. Indian technology professionals should follow official policy updates, verify employer sponsorship practices and assess opportunities based on their individual circumstances.
FAQs : H-1B Registrations by Indian IT Companies
1. Why did H-1B registrations by Indian IT companies decline in FY2027?
The decline coincided with a new wage-weighted lottery, higher costs for certain new H-1B workers coming from abroad and proposed changes to prevailing-wage requirements. The figures do not establish the precise contribution of each factor to every company’s decision.
2. How many H-1B registrations did Infosys submit in FY2027?
Infosys submitted 759 registrations in FY2027, compared with 8,886 in FY2026, representing a decline of approximately 91%.
3. Did Cognizant stop submitting H-1B registrations?
Cognizant submitted zero registrations in the FY2027 cap lottery, compared with 3,752 in FY2026. This figure refers to the relevant lottery registrations and does not establish that Cognizant has stopped all US hiring or sponsorship activity.
4. Does the decline mean Indian IT workers can no longer get H-1B visas?
No. The figures show fewer registrations from certain large employers, not the elimination of the H-1B programme. Eligibility, employer sponsorship, selection and petition approval continue to depend on the applicable requirements.
5. Does the $100,000 H-1B payment apply to every visa applicant?
No. The requirement applies to certain new H-1B workers coming to the United States from abroad, subject to applicable exceptions. It should not be interpreted as a universal charge on all H-1B registrations or existing visa holders.
Source : Hindustan Times
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