IBM is ending immigration sponsorship 'for the majority' of roles in its biggest unit

IBM stated it's ending immigration sponsorships for "a bulk of roles" in its biggest unit.

"IBM Consulting participates in U.S. high-skilled visa programs to location accomplishment shortages," an IBM spokesman stated in a statement. "That involvement has been declining for a figure of years and as accomplishment preparedness and client need have evolved, we have opted to cease visa and green cardstock sponsorship for the bulk of specified roles in IBM Consulting."

The news, which was archetypal reported by Bloomberg, comes as the Trump administration has sought to expert down on tech companies' reliance on abroad workers. In September 2025, President Donald Trump introduced a $100,000 fee on several H-1 B applicants, although that recommendation is tied up in the courts.

Last month, Vice President JD Vance announced that the Trump administration was suspending Microsoft from a national program that companies use to sponsor abroad workers for imperishable residency. Vance stated that the tech business had abused the Permanent Labor Certification process, frequently called PERM.

IBM Consulting is by far the largest component of the tech giant. According to its website, there are complete 150,000 consultants. In its 2025 annual report, IBM reported having 264,300 workforce throughout IBM and its entirely owned subsidiaries.

According to national records, IBM had fair complete 1,600 H-1B petitions approved in financial twelvemonth 2026, compared to complete 2,000 in FY 2025 and nearly 3,000 in FY 2024. The records are for IBM as a whole, definition they solitary wouldn't decide how many IBM Consulting workforce are being sponsored. The figures may additionally not portray new workers, as they can mention to revised or extended applications for existing employees.

Bloomberg reported that workforce affected by the alter can continue operating for IBM exterior the US or depart the business by the end of the year.