IBM Ends Visa Sponsorship for Most US Consulting Roles

IBM has decided to discontinue H-1B visa and green card sponsorship for the majority of roles within its US consulting business, marking a significant shift in the technology giant's approach to international hiring.

The decision affects IBM Consulting, the company's largest business division, which employs more than 150,000 professionals globally.

The move comes amid tighter scrutiny of employer-sponsored immigration programmes in the United States and changing workforce requirements across the technology and consulting sectors.

According to reports citing an internal company document, employees affected by the decision may continue working for IBM from locations outside the United States or leave the company by the end of 2026.

 

IBM Explains Its Decision

An IBM spokesperson confirmed the change, explaining that the company's participation in high-skilled visa programmes had been declining for several years.

The spokesperson stated :

"We have opted to discontinue visa and green card sponsorship for the majority of such roles in IBM Consulting."

The company added that changes in skill availability and client requirements influenced the decision. IBM had previously used US high-skilled visa programmes to address talent shortages in specialised roles.

The policy covers sponsorship through the H-1B visa programme, which allows US employers to hire foreign professionals for specialised occupations, and the employment-based green card process.

US Immigration Rules Add Pressure on Technology Employers

IBM's decision comes as the US government increases scrutiny of companies hiring international professionals. Recent immigration policy changes have made employer-sponsored hiring and permanent residency pathways more challenging for technology businesses.

The Permanent Labor Certification process, commonly known as PERM, is an important step in many employment-based green card applications. It requires employers to demonstrate that qualified US workers are not available for the positions being offered.

The administration has also introduced a one-time $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B petitions, adding to the cost of hiring international talent.

Implications for the Consulting Industry

IBM's move highlights how global consulting and technology companies are reassessing their talent acquisition strategies in response to changing regulations, business requirements and workforce availability.

For consulting firms that rely on specialised international professionals, the decision raises questions about future hiring models, talent mobility and the distribution of client-facing teams across global delivery centres.

The option for affected employees to continue working for IBM outside the United States also points to the importance of international delivery networks in the consulting business.

As immigration policies and client expectations continue to evolve, IBM's decision could become an important reference point for how multinational consulting firms manage global talent and workforce planning.