IBM will stop immigration sponsorship for most positions in its consulting division, the company announced on November 10, 2026. This decision affects most roles within IBM Consulting, the largest unit of the company. An IBM spokesperson said that participation in U.S. high-skilled visa programs has been dropping. The company has decided to end sponsorship as skill availability and client needs have changed.
Key Details
This move follows recent actions by the Trump administration to tighten rules around H-1B visas. In September 2025, President Trump proposed a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B applicants, but this proposal is now under judicial review. Additionally, Vice President JD Vance recently suspended Microsoft from a federal program that allows companies to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency. He cited abuse of the Permanent Labor Certification process.
Background
IBM's immigration sponsorship for roles has dropped significantly in recent years. Federal records show that IBM had just over 1,600 H-1B petitions approved in fiscal year 2026. This is down from over 2,000 in FY 2025 and nearly 3,000 in FY 2024. These numbers reflect the entire company and do not show how many consulting employees are affected. Employees impacted by this change may continue their work outside the U.S. or leave the company by the end of the year.
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The cut in immigration sponsorship could affect IBM's ability to attract skilled foreign workers. This may impact its consulting services and overall workforce. Investors will be watching for further developments in U.S. immigration policy that could influence hiring in the tech sector.
Watch for updates on IBM's hiring strategies and any changes in U.S. immigration rules that may come in the next few months.
Based on reporting by: businessinsider.com, moneycontrol.com