2025 Tech Layoffs: Impact on NRIs, H-1B Visa Holders, and Indian IT Professionals – Comprehensive Report
Published on www.nriglobe.com | January 01, 2026
2025 was a year of continued transformation and challenges in the global technology sector, with 122,549 tech jobs cut across 257 companies worldwide according to Layoffs.fyi, and higher estimates of 209,838 across 716 companies from TrueUp. In the US, Crunchbase tracked 126,352 layoffs at tech firms, while Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported the tech sector contributing to ~141,000–154,000 US job cuts. For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), H-1B visa holders, and the broader Indian tech community, these global reductions had significant repercussions—particularly affecting professionals in US Big Tech roles and offshore teams in India.
This in-depth, SEO-optimized report from nriglobe.com provides a month-by-month analysis of 2025 tech layoffs, emphasizing impacts on NRIs and Indians, including H-1B visa uncertainties, returns to India, and shifts in the domestic IT market. AI automation was a key driver, with over 50,000–55,000 layoffs explicitly linked to AI efficiencies (Challenger and CNBC estimates), reducing demand for mid-level coding, testing, and support roles—many held by Indian talent or outsourced to India.
While totals were lower than 2024’s ~239,000, the focus on AI realignment hit Indian IT services hard, with companies like TCS announcing phased reductions amid “skill mismatch” concerns.
Why 2025 Layoffs Hit NRIs and Indian Tech Workers Hard
- AI-Driven Automation: Over 55,000 global cuts tied to AI, automating routine tasks and impacting offshore delivery centers in India.
- Big Tech Restructuring: US giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Intel slashed corporate and engineering roles, affecting H-1B holders.
- Indian IT Sector Pressure: TCS led with ~12,000 phased cuts; Infosys and others slowed hiring or used performance cycles for reductions.
- H-1B Challenges: Stricter rules, higher fees, and layoffs triggered 60-day grace periods, forcing many NRIs to return or pivot.
- Bright Spots: Demand grew for AI/ML experts; many NRIs upskilled or joined India’s AI startups and firms like Reliance.
Month-by-Month Breakdown of 2025 Tech Layoffs (NRI/India Focus)
Data from Layoffs.fyi, TrueUp, TechCrunch, Crunchbase, and Challenger.
January 2025 (~2,403 Layoffs)
Quiet start with small-scale and performance-based cuts. Limited India impact, but early ripples in support roles.
February 2025 (~16,000+ Layoffs)
Workday (~1,750, AI-related); Google cloud/HR. Pressure on Indian teams in global firms; H-1B cloud engineers affected.
March 2025 (~8,000–9,000)
Block (~931); mid-management cuts. Some Indian-origin leaders in US impacted.
April 2025 (~23,000–24,000)
Intel overhaul (~15,000–24,000 global, heavy Bengaluru R&D). Significant NRI/H-1B hits in chip/design.
May 2025
Microsoft (~6,000); CrowdStrike (~500, AI-cited). TCS signaled AI changes.
June 2025 (YTD ~63,000+)
Ongoing Microsoft; mid-year highlighted offshore support reductions.
July 2025
Microsoft (~9,000 additional); Intel implementations. Heavy impact on Hyderabad/Bengaluru engineers.
August 2025
Cisco, Oracle waves; cloud/security roles, including Indian teams.
September 2025
Salesforce support; Indian customer roles hit.
October 2025 (Peak ~33,000+)
Amazon (~14,000 corporate, AI efficiencies); spillover to India operations. Record month per Challenger.
November 2025 (~12,000–40,000 Tech)
Verizon (~13,000–15,000); ongoing TCS/Oracle.
December 2025 (~Hundreds Reported)
Google cloud/design; phased completions. Full-year ~122,000–210,000 global.
Major 2025 Layoffs: Companies with Strong Indian/NRI Ties
| Company | Estimated Layoffs (Global) | Key Reasons | Impact on Indians/NRIs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel | 15,000–24,000 | Restructuring, cost-cutting | High: Bengaluru R&D; many H-1B NRIs |
| Microsoft | ~15,000+ | AI shifts, organizational | Significant: Hyderabad/Bengaluru; US NRIs |
| Amazon | ~14,000 | Corporate efficiency, AI | Major: Bengaluru/Hyderabad; H-1B corporate |
| Verizon | ~13,000–15,000 | Transformation | Indirect: Tech roles with Indian talent |
| TCS | ~12,000 (phased) | AI transition, skill realignment | Direct: Indian mid/senior workforce |
| Meta | ~5,000 | Performance, AI unit | Notable: India engineering; H-1B |
| Salesforce | ~4,000–5,000 | Support automation, AI | Offshore support in India |
| Thousands | Cloud, platforms | Hyderabad/Gurugram; H-1B engineers | |
| Applied Materials | ~1,400 | Sales slowdown | India operations |
| Cisco | Thousands | Restructuring | Bengaluru networking |
AI’s Role in 2025 Layoffs & Opportunities for Indians
AI drove ~55,000 cuts globally, with explicit citations from Amazon, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Workday. In India, TCS and others adopted “AI-first” strategies, reducing traditional services demand but boosting GenAI roles. Many returning NRIs found opportunities in India’s thriving AI ecosystem.
Key Impacts on NRIs and Indian Professionals
- H-1B Strain: Higher fees, rejections, and layoffs led to grace period stress; many returned amid green card backlogs.
- Hardest-Hit Roles: Mid-level engineers, QA, support—often H-1B or offshore.
- Family & Financial Challenges: Relocations, anxiety over visas.
- Upside: Infosys hired ~20,000 freshers; pivots to Canada/Australia or Indian growth sectors (e.g., Flipkart AI roles).
2026 Outlook for NRIs in Tech
Layoffs expected to ease with AI maturation, but skill specialization key. India’s IT poised for AI services growth; NRIs should focus on certifications, networks, and emergency planning.
