IBM Ends US Visa and Green Card Sponsorship for Most Consulting Jobs

IBM announced on Tuesday that it will cease sponsoring US work visas and green cards for the majority of positions within its Consulting division, which employs over 150,000 people globally. This decision reflects growing regulatory scrutiny around foreign technology workers under the administration of former President Donald Trump.

The company has historically relied on US high-skilled visa programs, such as H-1B visas, to fill gaps in critical skill areas. However, a spokesperson for IBM told Reuters that the use of these visa programs has been declining steadily over recent years. The spokesperson explained that this shift is due to evolving skill availability in the labor market as well as changing client requirements.

IBM's move to halt sponsorship for most consulting roles aligns with broader trends in the technology sector, where companies are adapting to tighter immigration policies and shifting workforce strategies. Last month, the US government suspended some major technology firms, including Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, and Tata Consultancy Services, from participating in the Permanent Labor Certification process. This process represents an essential step toward obtaining green cards for foreign workers.

According to a company document seen by Bloomberg News, employees affected by IBM's decision will have the option to continue working for IBM outside the United States or will need to leave by the end of the year. This development is a significant change for the consulting workforce, many of whom depend on visa sponsorship to work legally in the US.

The US government's approach to skilled foreign workers has been shifting in recent years. In 2025, the White House implemented a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, signaling a stricter stance on immigration in the tech sector. This policy, along with increased scrutiny of visa applications, has pressured companies to reconsider their reliance on foreign labor.

IBM Consulting, a major part of IBM's business model, has been adjusting its hiring practices in response to these external factors. The company continues to meet client demands by focusing on available domestic talent and international operations. The decision to end visa and green card sponsorship for most roles represents a strategic adaptation to the changing regulatory and labor market environment.

Overall, this move by IBM highlights the broader impact of US immigration policy on the technology and consulting industries. Companies that once relied heavily on foreign talent are now exploring alternative workforce strategies as visa sponsorship becomes more challenging. This transition reflects ongoing shifts in the global technology labor supply and the complex interplay between government regulations and corporate hiring practices.