By Johana Bhuiyan
Publication Date: 2026-10-08 16:40:00
Microsoft is suspended from applying for permanent residency for workers employed through a US visa program for high-skilled workers, JD Vance announced on Thursday.
The US vice-president accused the tech company of abusing the H-1B system, which allows those on the visa to work while they apply and are in process for a green card.
“Our message to Microsoft is, you’re a great American company, but you’ve got to hire great American workers,” Vance said at a press conference announcing the suspension. “You cannot lay off American workers and then replace them with foreign indentured servants.”
Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The US labor department also said Adobe had been similarly suspended.
“We will not accept any new or process any pending permanent labor certification applications involving these companies,” said Keith Sonderling, the US labor secretary, in a statement.
Microsoft applied for an H-1B visa for nearly 3,700 workers in 2026,…
