NEW YORK, November 10, 2026 — IBM plans to end US visa and green-card sponsorship for most roles in its Consulting division, a significant change for a business unit that employs more than 150,000 people and has historically used high-skilled immigration programmes to fill specialist positions.
The company said the decision reflects changes in the availability of skills and client requirements. A spokesperson told Reuters that IBM Consulting’s participation in US visa programmes had been declining for several years before the company decided to end sponsorship for the majority of roles.
Workers affected by the change may be able to continue their employment outside the United States or leave the company by the end of the year, according to a Bloomberg report cited by Reuters. IBM has not publicly provided a full breakdown of the number of employees who could be affected.
The decision comes amid tighter scrutiny of foreign technology hiring by the Trump administration. The government recently suspended Microsoft, Adobe and several outsourcing companies from parts of the Permanent Labor Certification process, a key step in obtaining employment-based green cards.
IBM’s move may have consequences for international technology workers who rely on employer sponsorship to remain in the United States, as well as for companies competing for specialised expertise in cloud computing, artificial intelligence and enterprise software.
The announcement does not amount to a general end to IBM’s use of international talent, and the company has not said that all existing visa holders will immediately lose their status. The practical effect will depend on individual immigration circumstances, the availability of overseas roles and the timing of any employment changes.