Pendo & GoPro Layoffs Raise NRI Job Concerns

The wave of software and tech layoffs in the USA continues into April 2026, raising fresh concerns among NRIs and Indian tech workers on H-1B visas. While companies cite restructuring and heavy investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the job losses are creating uncertainty for thousands of Indian families living in America.

This week, two notable announcements added to the growing list of cuts: software firm Pendo eliminated 10% of its workforce, and action camera maker GoPro announced plans to slash 23% of its global staff.

According to recent reports, the US tech sector has already seen over 52,000 job cuts in the first three months of 2026 — a sharp 40% increase from the same period last year. Nearly half of these reductions are linked directly to AI adoption and automation.

Key Layoffs Announced This Week

• Pendo (April 7, 2026): The Raleigh, North Carolina-based product analytics software company laid off around 90 employees (10% of its ~850-person workforce). About 30 of these jobs were in its Raleigh headquarters. The company pointed to restructuring to accelerate AI investments.
• GoPro (April 7-8, 2026): The San Mateo-based company plans to cut 145 jobs, or 23% of its 631 global employees. The restructuring will begin in Q2 and continue through the end of 2026, with expected costs of $11.5–15 million in severance and benefits.

These come shortly after Oracle’s massive reduction of up to 30,000 jobs globally (announced end of March), which significantly affected its large workforce in India and Indian employees in the US. Reports indicate India bore a heavy share of Oracle’s cuts, with thousands of roles impacted across development, cloud, sales, and support teams.

Why Are Software Layoffs Rising in 2026?

Tech companies are reallocating resources toward AI infrastructure, data centers, and automation tools that can replace or reduce the need for certain human roles in coding, analytics, customer support, and testing.

This shift is hitting mid-level and traditional software roles hardest, while selective hiring continues in AI, machine learning, and cloud engineering.

For NRIs and Indian IT professionals, the situation feels especially challenging because:

• A large percentage of H-1B visa holders are from India.
• Layoffs often trigger the 60-day grace period to find new sponsored employment or change status — adding stress for families with children in US schools or spouses on dependent visas.
• Oracle’s cuts, in particular, sent shockwaves through the Indian diaspora, with many employees receiving sudden early-morning emails and immediate system access revocation.

NRI-Wise Impact: Challenges for Indian Tech Workers in the US

Indian professionals form a significant part of the US tech workforce, especially in software development, IT services, and cloud roles. The current layoff trend, combined with tighter H-1B scrutiny in recent years, is prompting many NRIs to reassess their options.

Key concerns include:

• Visa instability: Losing a job means a race against the 60-day clock. Many are exploring alternatives like L-1 (intra-company transfer), O-1 (extraordinary ability), or even returning to India with gained experience.
• Family impact: Sudden job loss affects household income, healthcare, and children’s education continuity.
• Longer job hunts: Analysts note that displaced tech workers, including Indians, are facing extended search periods as companies prioritize AI-skilled talent.
• Offshoring trend: Some US firms are shifting more work to India and other low-cost locations, creating opportunities back home but uncertainty for those settled in the US.

Goldman Sachs and other observers have warned that the job market remains tough for laid-off tech professionals amid AI-driven restructuring.

Advice for Affected NRIs and Indian Tech Professionals

1. Update your skills quickly — Focus on AI, machine learning, cloud computing (AWS/Azure), data engineering, and cybersecurity. Online certifications from Coursera, Udemy, or Google can help.
2. Network aggressively — Leverage LinkedIn, Indian diaspora groups, and alumni networks. Many jobs are still filled through referrals.
3. Explore visa options — Consult immigration experts early about L-1, EB-2/EB-3 green card pathways, or O-1 if you have specialized achievements.
4. Prepare financially — Build an emergency fund covering 6–12 months of expenses.
5. Consider return to India — With booming tech hubs in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Gurugram, many returning NRIs are finding senior roles with valuable US experience.

At NRIGlobe, we understand these challenges affect not just careers but entire families and long-term dreams of settling abroad.

What’s Next for Tech Employment?

While 2026 has started with heavy layoffs (global tech cuts approaching 80,000–90,000 in Q1), some experts believe the pain may ease later in the year as AI investments mature and new roles emerge. However, traditional software jobs are likely to remain under pressure.

We will continue tracking US tech layoffs, their specific impact on the Indian diaspora, and opportunities both in America and back home.

Have you or someone in your network been affected by recent tech layoffs? What steps are you taking to future-proof your career? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below — your story could help fellow NRIs.