Key takeaways
- IBM ends immigration sponsorship for most US consulting roles
- H-1B approvals fall nearly 46% over two years
- Affected workers reportedly face relocation or year-end departure
IBM is ending US visa and green card sponsorship for most positions within its consulting division, a major policy shift affecting immigration pathways at one of the world's largest technology employers.
The decision, confirmed November 10, applies to the majority of eligible roles within IBM Consulting, a global business employing more than 150,000 professionals. It comes as President Donald Trump's administration increases scrutiny of employment-based immigration and raises barriers to hiring foreign technology workers.
An internal document reviewed by Bloomberg indicates that affected employees may continue working for IBM outside the United States or leave the company by the end of 2026. IBM has not disclosed how many employees will be directly affected.
IBM H-1B Approvals Drop Nearly 46% Before Sponsorship Decision
IBM's withdrawal from immigration sponsorship follows several years of declining participation in the H-1B program, which allows US employers to hire foreign professionals for specialized occupations.
Federal immigration records show that IBM received 1,611 H-1B petition approvals in fiscal 2026, down from 2,045 in 2025 and nearly 3,000 in 2024. That represents an approximately 46% decline from the earlier level.
The figures cover IBM as a whole and include some extensions and amendments, meaning they do not represent the number of new foreign employees hired or the number affected by the latest decision.
IBM said its consulting business historically relied on skilled-worker visa programs to address talent shortages. However, the company explained that its participation had been declining as available skills and client requirements evolved.
The decision also comes as IBM restructures its consulting delivery model around artificial intelligence. Its Consulting Advantage platform uses AI agents to automate portions of project development, testing and data analysis, potentially reducing the staffing requirements for certain assignments.
IBM has not identified AI automation as the cause of its sponsorship decision.
Trump Immigration Restrictions Increase Pressure on Technology Employers
The announcement follows a broader federal campaign to change how technology companies recruit international workers.
The Trump administration introduced a $100,000 payment requirement for certain new H-1B petitions in 2025, although its implementation has faced legal challenges. The administration has also pursued wage-based visa selection and changes to prevailing-wage requirements.
According to a Congressional Research Service analysis, a wage-weighted H-1B selection process took effect in 2026, replacing the previous random selection model to favor higher-paid positions.
The policy changes have divided employers and policymakers. Administration officials argue that stricter rules will protect American workers and discourage misuse of foreign labor programs, while industry representatives warn that restrictions could make specialized talent more difficult and expensive to recruit.
In October, federal authorities also suspended Microsoft, Adobe and several outsourcing companies from the Permanent Labor Certification process, commonly known as PERM, over alleged program violations.
PERM is an important step toward employment-based permanent residency. IBM has not been publicly identified as a target of those enforcement actions.
What Happens to IBM Consulting Workers?
For employees dependent on employer sponsorship, the decision creates uncertainty about their ability to remain working in the United States.
Bloomberg's account of the internal document suggests relocation to an IBM position abroad may be possible, although the company has not publicly clarified which existing visa holders qualify for transfers or continued sponsorship.
The distinction matters because H-1B work authorization, employer-sponsored green card applications and permanent residency are separate legal processes. Losing employer sponsorship does not automatically terminate every worker's immigration status.
Meanwhile, IBM's global consulting operations could provide alternatives for some employees, allowing projects to continue from international offices rather than eliminating every affected position.
