IBM Ends US Visa, Green Card Sponsorship for Most Consulting Jobs
IBM has decided to end US work visa and employment-based green card sponsorship for most positions in its Consulting division, marking a significant shift in the technology company's approach to hiring foreign professionals.
The decision, announced on Tuesday, November 10, applies to the majority of roles within IBM Consulting, which employs more than 150,000 people worldwide.
The move comes amid tightening scrutiny of foreign-worker hiring by the Donald Trump administration and growing restrictions on skilled-worker immigration programmes in the United States.
According to Reuters, an IBM spokesperson said the company had historically used high-skilled visa programmes to address skill shortages. However, its participation in these programmes had been declining for several years.
The company said changing skill availability and evolving client requirements had prompted it to discontinue visa and green card sponsorship for most consulting positions.
Employees affected by the decision may continue working for IBM from locations outside the US or leave the company by the end of 2026, according to an internal document reviewed by Bloomberg. IBM has not disclosed the total number of employees who will be affected or specified which positions may continue to qualify for sponsorship.
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The decision is significant for foreign professionals, particularly Indian technology workers, who rely on employer-sponsored H-1B visas to work in the US and employment-based green cards to secure permanent residency.
IBM's H-1B visa approvals have also declined in recent years. Federal data show that the company received 1,611 H-1B petition approvals in fiscal 2026, compared with 2,045 in fiscal 2025.
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The development comes as the US administration intensifies its scrutiny of employment-based immigration. In October, Microsoft, Adobe and several major technology services companies, including Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services and Cognizant, faced suspensions from the Permanent Labour Certification process, an important step towards employment-based green cards.
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IBM's latest move highlights the changing immigration landscape for skilled foreign professionals seeking opportunities in the US technology sector.