The change could leave some affected employees facing a choice between continuing their careers with IBM outside the United States or leaving the company at the end of 2026. The move also reflects a shift in how IBM Consulting approaches international recruitment, with the company citing changes in available skills and client requirements.
IBM Changes Immigration Sponsorship Policy Across Its Consulting Division
According to Bloomberg, IBM has decided to discontinue immigration sponsorship for the majority of roles within IBM Consulting, a division employing more than 150,000 people. The change covers certain H-1B visa applications and employment-based green card sponsorships.
An IBM spokesperson confirmed that the company had been reducing its reliance on US immigration programs for highly skilled workers over several years.
“IBM Consulting participates in U.S. high-skilled visa programs to address skill shortages,” the spokesperson told Newsweek. “That participation has been declining for a number of years and as skill availability and client need have evolved, we have opted to discontinue visa and green card sponsorship for the majority of such roles in IBM Consulting.”
Affected employees have been informed that they may continue working for IBM outside the United States or leave the company when the year ends, Bloomberg reported, citing an internal document shared with consulting managers.
The announcement does not establish how many employees will be affected. It also leaves questions about workers already holding H-1B visas who may no longer have a pathway to permanent residency through their current IBM positions.
Data from the US Department of Labor shows that IBM submitted more than 1,100 H-1B visa applications during fiscal year 2026, which ended September 30. The number of those applicants who subsequently pursued permanent residency was not immediately clear.
IBM Consulting reported $5.3 billion in third-quarter revenue, unchanged from the previous year on a reported basis and up 2% in constant currency.
Trump Administration Increases Scrutiny of H-1B Visas and Green Card Applications
IBM’s decision follows a series of immigration policy changes under President Donald Trump’s second administration, particularly concerning the H-1B visa program and the permanent labor certification process known as PERM.
The H-1B program allows American employers to recruit qualified foreign professionals for specialized positions. These visas generally remain valid for an initial three years and can be extended for another three.
PERM, meanwhile, is an early stage in a common employment-based green card process. Employers must demonstrate that qualified US workers are not available for the position through prescribed recruitment procedures.
According to Newsweek, Vice President JD Vance announced in October that Microsoft and several other major companies would face suspension from the PERM program amid federal investigations into alleged misconduct.
The administration has also introduced a $100,000 fee affecting most new H-1B petitions and proposed changes to the annual visa lottery that would favor higher-paying employers. “We want you to continue to grow and to employ a lot of people, but we want you to employ American workers,” Vance said during an October 8 press conference.
