IBM Ends Most Visa And Green Card Sponsorship In IBM Consulting

IBM has confirmed that it is ending US visa and green card sponsorship for most roles in IBM Consulting, a part of the company with more than 150,000 people. The company confirmed the decision to Reuters on November 10, 2026.

What IBM Said

An IBM spokesperson said the company's use of these programs "has been declining for a number of years and as skill availability and client need have evolved, we have opted to discontinue visa and green card sponsorship for the majority of such roles in IBM Consulting."

An internal document reported by Bloomberg says affected employees can keep working for IBM outside the United States, or leave the company by the end of the year.

What Is Still Unclear

• Which roles are affected. IBM said "the majority" of consulting roles. It has not said which roles, if any, will still be sponsored.
• Where it applies. Some reports describe it as a change for US consulting roles; others describe it more broadly.
• The rest of IBM. Reports so far are about IBM Consulting. None says IBM has ended all sponsorship across the company.

We will update this post when IBM shares more.

Why It Is Happening Now

Reuters links the decision to closer scrutiny of foreign tech hiring under the current administration. It also reports that IBM was among the companies suspended last month from the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) process, which is a key step towards an employment-based green card.

If You Work In IBM Consulting

The rules below are general. Your own options depend on your exact status, dates and documents, so speak to an immigration attorney before you decide anything.

• If you are on an H-⁠1B and your job ends: you generally have a grace period of up to 60 days, or until your I-⁠94 ends if that comes sooner, to change status, have a new employer file for you, or leave the US.
• If another employer wants to hire you on an H-⁠1B: they can file a new petition for you. In many cases you can start working for them once USCIS receives that petition.
• If your I-⁠140 is already approved: the priority date generally stays with you, even if IBM later withdraws the petition. A new employer would still need to file their own green card case, but you would usually keep your place in line.
• If your PERM was still in progress: a labor certification belongs to the employer and the job. A new employer would generally need to start PERM again.
• If your I-⁠485 has been pending for 180 days or more: you may be able to move to a new job in the same or a similar occupation and keep your green card case going, using Form I-⁠485 Supplement J.

Keep An Eye On Your Case

If you have a petition or green card case with USCIS, you can track it on ImmigraMate and get an alert the moment its status changes.

This post is for general information and is not legal advice.

Sources: Reuters (via Yahoo Finance), Bloomberg (as reported by Reuters and others), Investing.com, American Bazaar.