International Business Machines (IBM) is ending immigration and green card sponsorship for the majority of roles in its largest division, IBM Consulting, as the Donald Trump administration tightens restrictions on foreign worker visa programmes in the United States. The decision marks another significant shift in the technology industry’s approach to overseas talent amid growing pressure to prioritise American workers.
A company spokesperson confirmed that IBM would discontinue visa and green card sponsorship for most positions within its consulting business.
“We have opted to discontinue visa and green card sponsorship for the majority of such roles in IBM Consulting,” the spokesperson said.
The company added that its participation in US high-skilled visa programmes had historically helped address talent shortages. However, this participation has been declining for several years as the availability of skilled workers and client requirements have evolved.
The move comes as IBM attempts to reshape its business around high-growth software and artificial intelligence offerings while navigating relatively sluggish growth in its consulting operations.
Credits: Business Insider
IBM Consulting employees face relocation or exit options
According to a Bloomberg report citing an internal document, employees affected by the decision will have two primary options: continue working for IBM outside the US or leave the company by the end of the year.
The document was reportedly shared with managers in the affected division earlier this week.
IBM Consulting is the company’s largest business segment, employing more than 150,000 people, according to its website. The scale of the division means the decision could have implications for a substantial number of foreign professionals working in the US.
However, IBM has not publicly disclosed the exact number of employees who will be affected by the sponsorship changes.
The development also comes amid a broader restructuring of IBM’s business priorities. The company has acquired technology businesses, including Red Hat, HashiCorp and Confluent, as part of its strategy to strengthen its software portfolio and position itself as a high-growth technology company.
Meanwhile, its consulting business has struggled to generate significant growth, with the division’s performance remaining largely flat since 2024.
Trump’s immigration crackdown puts H-1B visas under pressure
IBM’s decision comes against the backdrop of increasingly restrictive US immigration policies under President Donald Trump.
The H-1B visa programme has traditionally served as an important route for technology companies to recruit specialised overseas professionals, particularly in areas such as software engineering, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
However, since returning to office, the Trump administration has pushed companies to prioritise American workers and reduce their dependence on foreign talent.
Among the proposed changes is a $100,000 filing fee for most H-1B candidates, alongside changes to the annual visa lottery system that give greater priority to employers offering higher salaries.
The administration has also intensified scrutiny of companies that rely heavily on foreign workers. Last month, Microsoft, Adobe and other companies were accused of abusing US worker visa programmes and were reportedly suspended indefinitely from using them.
Microsoft has historically been among the largest H-1B employers in the country, securing 3,828 approvals in the 2026 budget year, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data.
Credits: Quartz
IBM’s H-1B approvals fall in 2026
USCIS figures also highlight a decline in IBM’s H-1B visa approvals.
The company secured 1,611 H-1B approvals during the 2026 budget year, which ended on September 30. This represents a decline from the 2,045 approvals recorded in 2025.
Despite the reduction, IBM remains a significant participant in the programme. Since 2009, it has sponsored H-1B workers 27,863 times, placing it 20th among the programme’s sponsors.
The latest decision reflects how changing immigration policies are influencing workforce planning across the technology industry.
For foreign professionals, particularly those employed in consulting and technology services, the implications could extend beyond visa applications to job security and the possibility of relocating internationally.
As Washington continues to tighten immigration rules, companies such as IBM may increasingly reconsider how they recruit, retain and deploy skilled workers across global markets.
