Wild Rumor: DOL Puts All Cognizant PERM Applications on Hold?

Cognizant PERM applications update

A wild and unconfirmed rumor about Cognizant’s immigration filings is circulating online.

According to [public case-status data], Cognizant Technology Solutions US Corporation currently has 1,832 pending PERM applications. Of those, 1,831 are marked “APPLICATION ON HOLD.”

The tracker shows 1,855 PERM applications nationwide with the same status. Nearly 99 percent of them reportedly belong to Cognizant.

However, this does not mean that all Cognizant visa filings have been suspended. PERM is a labor-certification process used for employment-based green cards. It is not an H-1B visa petition. There is currently no indication that Cognizant’s H-1B applications, visa extensions, or existing employees’ immigration status have been suspended.

The Department of Labor has not issued a public statement explaining why these PERM applications are on hold or how long the hold may continue.

The development comes two months after the DOL Inspector General launched a nationwide investigation into alleged H-1B and PERM fraud. During a media interview, the Inspector General said whistleblowers had mentioned companies “like Cognizant.” However, no formal charge or finding of wrongdoing against Cognizant was announced.

For now, the mass hold appears to be real based on public case-status data. The reason behind it and its connection to the wider investigation remain unverified and officially unconfirmed.