Microsoft Defends H-1B Visa Practices After Federal PERM Program Suspension; Know What the Company Said
Microsoft defended its H-1B visa practices after its suspension from the PERM program, stating that 80 per cent of its 6,000 recent applications involved status extensions for existing employees rather than new hires. 'They are not new arrivals to our country,' the company noted. Furthermore, Microsoft rejected allegations that H-1B employees are utilised to undercut domestic wage standards.
Technology giant Microsoft has defended its utilisation of H-1B visas, noting that 80 per cent of its approximately 6,000 applications last fiscal year involved existing employees rather than new hires. The response follows action by the administration to suspend the company's ability to sponsor foreign workers through the Permanent Labour Certification program, commonly known as PERM. The federal initiative serves as an initial step for employers seeking employment-based permanent residency for foreign personnel.
Defence of Workforce and Visa Application Breakdown
Addressing the suspension, Microsoft emphasised its commitment to the domestic workforce while clarifying the scope of its visa filings. “We believe in the strength and talent of the American workforce. That is why the vast majority of Microsoft employees in the United States are Americans,” the company stated on its corporate platform. US Moves to Bar TCS From Green Card Programme; Here’s the Company’s Response.
Microsoft Defends H-1B Visa Practices
Providing context on its application numbers, Microsoft reported that out of roughly 6,000 H-1B applications submitted during the previous fiscal year:
- Status Extensions: Approximately 80 per cent were intended to extend or modify the immigration status of individuals already employed by the firm, rather than bring in new workers.
- Transition Hires: The remaining applications accounted for individuals already legally present in the United States who chose to join Microsoft, representing just 1 per cent of its American workforce.
"They are not new arrivals to our country," the company noted. Furthermore, Microsoft rejected allegations that H-1B employees are utilised to undercut domestic wage standards. “Microsoft only files H-1B petitions for those who meet the rigorous standards of this visa category,” the company said. “We pay our H-1B employees the same as any other employees doing comparable work," it added.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Program Impact
The administration's recent measures reflect heightened regulatory focus on employment-based immigration frameworks to safeguard domestic employment opportunities. Federal officials have maintained that rigorous enforcement is necessary to deter program misuse. Indian IT Giants Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL Suspended From US PERM Programme: What It Means For Green Card Applicants.
While Microsoft's statement did not address the specific legal rationale behind its PERM suspension or project timeline durations, corporate officials noted that the administrative action targets the employer's labor certification process. The suspension does not independently revoke active H-1B visas or necessitate the immediate departure of current employees from the United States.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2026 09:58 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).