Trump admin crackdown: Indian techies see biggest hit as US green card approvals plunge sharply
The approval rate for EB-1A, the US green card category meant for individuals with extraordinary ability, has dropped sharply in FY26, with Indian applicants bearing a significant share of the impact, according to several immigration experts.
A sharp decline in visa approvals for Indian tech professionals has hit US green card applicants, with the approval rate for Indian applicants falling to 35% in the first half of fiscal year 2026, down from 49.1% in the full fiscal year 2025. The EB-1A category, meant for individuals with extraordinary ability, has seen a significant impact on Indian applicants, according to immigration experts.
Data from US immigration platform Boundless Immigration shows that Indians filed 14,250 EB-1A petitions in fiscal year 2025, with 6,993 approved and 1,474 rejected in the first two quarters of fiscal year 2026. The drop in approvals is attributed to tighter scrutiny of skilled-worker immigration under the Donald Trump administration, with measures aimed at restricting immigration, particularly for H-1B visa holders, mostly Indians.
The tougher environment is also affecting skilled workers seeking permanent residency in the US through the green card system.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
