US Green Card curbs could accelerate India’s shift to high-value tech work: Karnataka’s IT Minister

Karnataka’s IT Minister Priyank Kharge said the move could have ‘complex and potentially far-reaching’ consequences for India’s technology industry, with implications extending beyond the traditional outsourcing model. | Photo Credit: File photo

The Donald Trump administration’s suspension of the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme for major IT outsourcing companies could pose challenges for Indian technology firms operating in the United States, but may also accelerate India’s emergence as a global hub for research, product development, and artificial intelligence, Karnataka’s IT Minister Priyank Kharge said.

In a post on X on October 9 morning, the Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, said the move could have ‘complex and potentially far-reaching’ consequences for India’s technology industry, with implications extending beyond the traditional outsourcing model.

The PERM labour certification process is an important step for many employment-based Green Card applications. Restrictions affecting the process could make it more difficult for Indian technology professionals to pursue permanent residency in the US, while adding to the challenges faced by companies seeking to retain skilled employees and deploy personnel onsite.