IBM has decided to discontinue US visa and green card sponsorship for most positions in its consulting division. This move could affect foreign professionals working in the company's largest business unit. The decision comes amid tighter scrutiny of foreign technology hiring by US President Donald Trump's administration.
IBM Consulting employs more than 150,000 people. The company said its participation in high-skilled visa programs has declined for several years, citing changes in skill availability and client requirements.
IBM confirmed it would end US visa and green card sponsorship for most roles in IBM Consulting. A company spokesperson told Reuters that the division had previously relied on high-skilled visa programs to address skill shortages.
However, the company said its participation in these programs had been declining for years. Changes in the availability of skilled professionals and evolving client requirements were among the reasons behind the decision.
The move is limited to most roles within IBM Consulting. The company has not announced an end to visa and green card sponsorship across all its business divisions.
According to a Bloomberg News report, employees affected by the decision have two options: continue working for IBM from outside the United States or leave the company by the end of 2026. The report cited an internal company document shared with managers.
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IBM's decision comes as the Trump administration increases scrutiny of foreign worker hiring across the technology sector.
Last month, the US administration suspended Microsoft, Adobe and several major outsourcing companies, including Cognizant, Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services, from the Permanent Labor Certification process.
The process is an important step for foreign workers seeking employment-based green cards in the United States.
The action has added pressure on technology companies that rely on international talent to fill specialized positions. The administration has increasingly focused on how companies recruit foreign professionals and use existing immigration programs.
The US government's measures have also changed the cost of hiring foreign workers. Last year, the White House announced a one-time fee of USD 100,000 on new H-1B petitions.
The H-1B program allows US employers to hire foreign professionals for specialized occupations. Technology companies have traditionally used the visa route to recruit workers with skills that may be difficult to find in the domestic labor market.
IBM's latest decision reflects the changing approach to high-skilled immigration sponsorship within its consulting business, as the company reassesses workforce requirements and client needs.
With more than 150,000 employees in IBM Consulting, the policy change marks a significant shift in the division's approach to US visa and green card sponsorship.