IBM has announced it will stop sponsoring US foreign worker visas and green cards for most roles within its largest business unit. The company confirmed the shift on Tuesday, stating that its consultancy division has opted to end these sponsorships as skill availability and client needs have evolved.
The announcement comes as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on major technology companies to reduce their reliance on highly skilled foreign workers in the United States. President Donald Trump has frequently criticized the H-1B visa program, claiming it is often subject to fraud and displaces American workers.
IBM Consulting Restructures Hiring
IBM Consulting employs more than 150,000 people, making up the majority of IBM’s global workforce of 264,300. A company spokesperson told Reuters that the decision to halt most visa sponsorships was a strategic response to changing market conditions. The firm noted that its participation in US high-skilled visa programs had been declining for several years prior to this official announcement.
Data from US Citizenship and Immigration Services shows that IBM approved only 1,611 H-1B petitions in fiscal year 2026. This figure reflects a significant drop in the company’s reliance on these visas compared to previous years. The reduction suggests IBM has been gradually adjusting its hiring practices before the recent policy shifts.
Broader Government Crackdown on Tech Visas
The move by IBM follows a series of aggressive actions by the current US administration to tighten immigration rules for tech workers. Last year, the government announced a one-time fee of $100,000 for new H-1B petitions. This financial barrier was designed to discourage companies from sponsoring foreign workers unless absolutely necessary.
In October, the administration suspended several major technology companies from a program that allows H-1B workers to apply for green cards. Officials cited concerns over fraud and the potential for foreign workers to replace laid-off American employees. The suspended companies included Adobe, Microsoft, and major Indian IT firms such as Cognizant, Infosys, and Tata Consultancy Services.
The timing of these suspensions drew attention because they were announced just hours after President Trump honored Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Nadella, who was born in India, was one of six business leaders recognized by the president. Five of the honorees were foreign-born US citizens, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa, and Google co-founder Sergey Brin, who immigrated from Russia as a child.
IBM’s decision to end most visa sponsorships in its consulting unit signals a broader trend in the technology sector. Companies are increasingly navigating a complex regulatory environment where political pressure and new fees are reshaping hiring strategies. The shift may impact how IBM recruits talent for its global projects in the coming years.
Source: Al Jazeera
