End to the great American dream? Cognizant won’t be filing applications for green cards under EB2, EB3 schemes

If you are a Cognizant employee and have dreams of getting a permanent residency in the US, it just walked on your aspirations.

Cognizant has made it tough for Indian employees to get green cards as it will no longer be filing applications for green cards under the EB2 and EB3 routes.

It has suspended fresh filings as it plans to ramp up its onsite presence.

"As part of our strategic business goals, we continue to assess the benefits and efficiency of our internal programs which are evolving to align with our long term objectives. As part of this, we will no longer be filing green card PERM (EB2 and EB3 applications) until further notice," Cognizant, in an email to its employees, said.

As Cognizant moves to halt EB2 and EB3 applications, it will end hopes of professionals filing for green cards.

"The EB1 route is typically used for senior management or professionals with extraordinary ability. EB2 and 3 visas are for skilled workers and professionals, mid and lower level employees," Mark Davies, managing partner, ‎Davies & Associates, told TOI.

“Cognizant has always been a significant sponsor of Permanent Residence for associates and will continue to be so in the future,” Cognizant told TOI.

Cognizant is ramping up hiring in the US and it hired over 1,000 technology and business professionals in its Tampa centre.

The company had 261,200 employees as on March with a majority of its workforce based in India.