By Maya Bennett
Publication Date: 2026-11-11 16:12:00
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’s withdrawal from immigration sponsorship…
