IBM said on Tuesday (November 10, 2026) that it was ending U.S. visa and green card sponsorship for a majority of roles in IBM Consulting, which employs more than 1,50,000 people.
Workers impacted by the move can work with IBM outside the U.S. or leave by the end of the year, Bloomberg News reported earlier, citing a company document it said it had seen. The move comes amid tight scrutiny of foreign tech hiring by Donald Trump’s administration. Last month, it suspended Microsoft, Adobe and several major outsourcers, including Cognizant, Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services, from the Permanent Labor Certification process — a key step toward green cards for foreign workers. It opted to end sponsorship for most such roles as skill availability and client needs have evolved, the spokesperson added.
Last year, the White House announced a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions.
IBM Consulting has used U.S. high-skilled visa programs to address skill shortages, but participation has been declining for years, a company spokesperson told Reuters .
