The claim
“The suspension of PERM applications does not impact the validity of current H-1B visas or the status of their holders.”
The External Affairs Ministry made the claim on 9 October 2026, in a statement reported by The New Indian Express, responding to remarks by US Vice President JD Vance about Indian professionals.
Our verdict
True
The claim is accurate. The suspension of PERM applications does not affect existing H-1B visas or the status of their holders, because PERM is a separate stage of the green card process and is not part of the H-1B visa itself.
What we found
We reached this verdict because the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said so directly, and because immigration analysis explains why it is true. The New Indian Express reported on 9 October 2026 that the ministry stated the PERM suspension does not affect existing H-1B visas or the status of their holders. India Today reported the same day that the ministry clarified PERM is distinct from the H-1B framework and that existing H-1B statuses are unaffected. All India Radio News also carried the ministry's statement. Separately, an immigration analysis published by VisaVerge on 2 December 2025 explains that PERM processing is a distinct stage in the green card process and is legally separate from the H-1B visa itself, so delays or suspensions at the PERM stage do not invalidate an existing H-1B visa. Together, these sources support the claim.
The evidence
1 of 4 sources support the claim; none contradict it.
- Background
The New Indian Express reported that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated the PERM suspension does not affect existing H-1B visas or the status of their holders. [1]
- Supports the claim
An immigration analysis explains that PERM processing is a distinct stage in the green card process and is legally separate from the H-1B visa itself, so PERM issues do not invalidate an existing H-1B visa. [2]
- Background
India Today reported that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs clarified PERM is distinct from the H-1B framework and that existing H-1B statuses are unaffected by the suspension. [3]
- Background
All India Radio News carried the ministry's statement that the suspension of PERM applications does not impact the validity of existing H-1B visas or the status of their holders. [4]
What we could not confirm
- We could not independently verify the details of the PERM suspension itself, or confirm it through official US Department of Labor announcements.
- We could not rule out later policy changes after the dates of the sources we used.
How we checked
We looked at contemporaneous news reports quoting the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, and at a professional immigration analysis explaining the legal relationship between PERM and the H-1B visa. We reviewed 4 relevant sources.
Sources
- [1]www.newindianexpress.com · India calls Vance’s remarks on Indian professionals ‘unwarranted’ and 'deeply offensive' · October 9, 2026
- [2]visaverge.com · AC21 H-1B Extensions: How PERM Delays Over One Year affect status · December 2, 2025
- [3]indiatoday.in · India Slams US VP Remarks on H-1B Workers, Clarifies PERM Suspension Impact · October 9, 2026
- [4]facebook.com · All India Radio News
Have evidence we missed?
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