IBM Discontinues H-1B and Green Card Sponsorship in Consulting Division

IBM has announced plans to discontinue H-1B visa and permanent residency sponsorship for most positions in its consulting division, which employs more than 150,000 workers globally. Affected personnel will be permitted to seek positions with the company outside the United States or leave by the end of the year, a move occurring amid increased federal restrictions on employment-based immigration.

• IBM is ending H-1B and green card sponsorship for the majority of positions in its consulting business, which has a global headcount exceeding 150,000.· 3 sources
• Internal communications indicate that impacted employees may choose to relocate to IBM offices outside the United States or depart from the company by the end of 2026.· 3 sources
• A company spokesperson attributed the shift to changing client needs and the availability of skilled labor within the domestic workforce, pointing out that participation in visa programs had already been dropping.· 3 sources
• Federal data demonstrates that IBM H-1B petition approvals fell from 2,906 in fiscal year 2024 to 2,045 in 2025, with approved petitions standing at 1,611 for fiscal year 2026.· 2 sources
• The policy change follows broader federal crackdowns by the Donald Trump administration, including proposed $100,000 fees on certain new petitions and PERM program suspensions for numerous major technology vendors.· 2 sources