IBM has stopped sponsoring work visas and green cards for most roles in IBM Consulting, its largest unit, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. IBM confirmed the change in a statement to Business Insider.
IBM Consulting employs more than 150,000 people worldwide. Most positions in the unit will no longer be eligible for visa sponsorship or employment-based green cards. IBM has not said which minority of roles keep sponsorship, or how many US visa holders are affected.
Workers told to move or leave by year-end
Affected employees were told they can keep working for IBM outside the US or leave the company by the end of 2026, Bloomberg reported.
IBM’s statement said: “IBM Consulting participates in U.S. high-skilled visa programs to address skill shortages. That participation has been declining for a number of years and as skill availability and client need have evolved, we have opted to discontinue visa and green card sponsorship for the majority of such roles.”
A decline years in the making
The public data backs the decline. IBM’s USCIS H-1B approvals for new employment fell from 1,348 in fiscal 2024 to 501 in fiscal 2025 — a drop of about 63% — though Labor Department filings show IBM still applied for more than 1,100 H-1B positions in fiscal 2026.
The change covers both H-1B petitions and PERM applications, the labour-certification step that starts the green card process. For foreign workers in the consulting unit, it is a major shift: sponsorship was once a standard route to long-term work in the US, and its withdrawal leaves affected staff choosing between relocating abroad or finding a new employer before the end of the year.
The move is the latest sign of how fast the US immigration landscape is changing for skilled workers. It comes as the debate over high-skilled visas continues to dominate headlines — and as the week’s other big North American stories show, from the Oilers’ win over the Rangers, the pressure on employers and workers alike is only growing.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.