IBM withdraws visa sponsorship for most Consulting roles; affected staff must relocate abroad or leave by December 2026
Key points
- IBM is discontinuing US visa and Green Card sponsorship for most Consulting roles and has confirmed the decision
- Cited reason: changing skill availability and client requirements; the division has over 150,000 employees globally, but not all are affected, and IBM has not disclosed how many rely on sponsorship
- Per reports citing an internal communication, affected staff must relocate outside the US and continue working for IBM where possible, or leave by December 2026
IBM has decided to discontinue US visa and Green Card sponsorship for most roles in its Consulting division, citing changing skill availability and client requirements. The division employs over 150,000 people globally, but not all are affected, and IBM has not disclosed how many rely on sponsorship.
Per reports citing an internal communication, affected staff must relocate abroad or leave by December 2026.
What employers should do
- Review roles and employees relying on visa and Green Card sponsorship and assess immigration compliance risk
- Track timing arrangements for employee relocation or departure
Policy details
- Jurisdiction
- Federal
- Status
- —
- Effective date
- —
- Official source
- Official source pending
Original report: Open Magazine ↗Edited with AI assistance. Facts are based on official sources and original reports. For information only; not legal, immigration or insurance advice.