India, Dec. 2 -- First-time H-1B approvals for major Indian IT companies have plunged to just 4,573 - the lowest level in a decade - according to new data from the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP).

As per NFAP, the data reflected a 70 percent drop from FY 2015 and 37 percent fewer than in FY 2024.

The latest data indicate a shift has occurred: Only three Indian-based companies in FY 2025 were among the top 25 employers with approved H-1B petitions for initial employment.

H-1B petitions for initial employment are primarily for new employment, which, for companies, are cases counted against the H-1B annual limit of 65,000, with an exemption of 20,000 for individuals with master's degrees or higher from a U.S. university.

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