February 2026 Tech Layoffs: NRI & Country-Wise Impact Breakdown – Block, eBay, Palo Alto, and More Amid AI Wave
As of late February 2026, the global tech sector has seen over 130 layoff events, impacting nearly 49,000 workers year-to-date. This surge continues the trend from 2025, driven by economic realignments, post-pandemic corrections, and the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools that boost productivity while reducing the need for large teams. For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Indian tech professionals—many on H-1B visas or working in offshore/global capability centers (GCCs)—these cuts carry added risks: visa instability, forced repatriation, career disruptions, and challenges in reverse migration.
The United States remains the epicenter, accounting for over 80% of global tech layoffs (around 24,600 of the 30,000+ recorded early in 2026), followed by impacts in Europe, Israel, and India. In India, while direct cuts from these specific U.S. firms are limited, ripple effects hit local teams, contractors, and the broader IT services ecosystem amid AI-driven restructuring. NRIs, particularly those on H-1B visas, face a tight 60-day window to secure new sponsorship or risk leaving the U.S.
This comprehensive breakdown for www.nriglobe.com focuses on NRI-wise implications (visa risks, repatriation stories, skill shifts) and country-wise distribution (U.S. dominance, Israel for CyberArk, India for indirect effects). We cover major February announcements, with heavy emphasis on AI-driven job cuts this week. For in-depth company stories, explore our dedicated posts on Block’s AI shift, eBay’s global realignment, and more.
Stay updated on tech layoffs February 2026, company layoffs 2026 list, and AI driven job cuts this week—subscribe to nriglobe.com for NRI-focused insights, visa alerts, and career strategies.
Summary of February 2026 Tech Layoffs: NRI & Country Impact
Here’s a table summarizing key companies, job cuts, primary reasons (AI-heavy), and NRI/country-specific notes.
| Company | Jobs Cut | Primary Reasons (AI Focus) | Country Impact (Main) | NRI Implications (esp. Indians/H-1B) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Block | 4,000+ | AI tools enabling flatter teams; “intelligence-native” ops | Primarily U.S. (HQ in San Francisco) | High H-1B risk; many Indian engineers in fintech; severance helps short-term transition |
| eBay | 800 | Strategic realignment post-Depop acquisition; efficiency | U.S. (Bay Area heavy), global including offshore | Some offshore roles affected; H-1B holders scrambling; moves to overseas noted |
| Palo Alto Networks (via CyberArk) | 500-700 | Merger overlaps; integration in AI-era cybersecurity | Israel (CyberArk base ~1,000 employees), U.S. | Israeli-Indian talent pool; H-1B for U.S. roles; no R&D cuts but support functions hit |
| xAI | Key exits (co-founders/engineers) | Restructuring post-merger; talent churn | U.S. (Elon Musk-led) | High-profile AI roles; Indian talent in AI often targeted; aggressive future hiring possible |
| Others (e.g., broader wave) | Varies (hundreds per firm) | AI productivity gains; performance realignments | U.S. dominant (~80%), India indirect (~920 reported in early wave) | Ripple to Indian GCCs/IT services; TCS/Infosys-style silent cuts; H-1B repatriation fears |
The U.S. bears the brunt, but globalization means Indian professionals feel the pain through offshore reductions, visa pressures, and talent repatriation.
Block: 4,000+ Cuts – Heavy AI Driver, NRI Visa Risks
Block (Square, Cash App) announced over 4,000 layoffs on February 26—nearly half its 10,000+ workforce. CEO Jack Dorsey highlighted AI advancements (like internal agent Goose saving engineers 8-10 hours weekly) as enabling smaller, more efficient teams. Shares surged 20%+ on efficiency gains.
Country-wise: Almost entirely U.S.-based, with HQ impacts.
NRI-wise: Many affected are Indian-origin engineers in fintech/AI roles on H-1B visas. The generous package (20 weeks pay, healthcare, bonuses) offers a buffer, but the 60-day grace period looms large. Stories of NRIs returning to India (like recent Hyderabad cases) highlight loneliness and career uncertainty post-repatriation. Dorsey predicts widespread AI adoption—NRIs must upskill in AI to stay competitive.
Read our full NRI analysis here.
eBay: 800 Global Cuts – Offshore Shifts & H-1B Concerns
eBay cut ~800 jobs (6% of workforce) on February 26, aligning with post-Depop ($1.2B acquisition) priorities. This follows prior rounds (1,000 in 2024, 500 in 2023).
Country-wise: U.S.-heavy (Bay Area ~34% via WARN), but global—including reports of positions moving overseas.
NRI-wise: Offshore teams (India, etc.) vulnerable to offshoring trends. H-1B holders report scrambling; U.S. states like California, Texas hit hard. For NRIs, this underscores visa fragility—many face sudden relocation amid family commitments.
Dive deeper here.
Palo Alto Networks/CyberArk: 500+ Post-Merger Cuts – Israel-U.S. Focus
After the $25B CyberArk acquisition (Feb 11), Palo Alto cut 500-700 roles (~10-13% of CyberArk’s 4,000), targeting overlaps (support/HQ), sparing R&D.
Country-wise: Israel significant (~100 of 1,000 local employees); U.S. primary.
NRI-wise: CyberArk’s Indian talent in cybersecurity affected indirectly. H-1B risks for U.S.-based; merger efficiencies highlight AI-era consolidation.
More details here.
xAI: Co-Founder Exits – Talent Churn in AI Frontier
xAI saw key departures (e.g., co-founder Toby Pohlen, others), amid restructuring.
Country-wise: U.S.-centric.
NRI-wise: AI roles attract top Indian talent; exits signal instability, but Musk’s aggressive hiring plans offer opportunities for skilled NRIs.
Check updates here.
Broader AI Wave: Country & NRI Perspectives
U.S. dominates (~80% of cuts), with Europe/Israel/India seeing ripples. In India, GCCs add jobs (~120K-140K projected 2026) but face AI automation (~10K repetitive roles at risk); IT giants like TCS report reductions.
For NRIs: H-1B nightmares persist—60-day scramble, deportation fears, reverse migration regrets (e.g., 9-year U.S. returnees facing loneliness). AI displaces routine tasks but creates demand in AI ethics, implementation.
Advice for NRIs & Job Seekers in This Market
- Visa Protection: Monitor H-1B status; network for sponsorships via LinkedIn/Blind.
- Upskill Fast: Focus on AI (prompt engineering, agents), cloud, cybersecurity—free Coursera/Google courses.
- Diversify: Build freelance (Upwork), side hustles; prepare for India return (GCC roles growing).
- Financial Buffer: Save 6-12 months; leverage severance wisely.
- Network & Community: Join NRI forums (Reddit r/nri), Hyderabad/Bangalore groups for support.
For tailored NRI visa alerts, career guides, and tech layoffs February 2026 updates, subscribe to nriglobe.com now. Stay ahead—your future depends on it!
