IBM stops sponsoring H-1B visas and green cards for foreign workers
US technology giant IBM will stop sponsoring H-1B visas and permanent residency green cards for foreign staff amid mounting immigration restrictions from the Trump administration.
US tech giant IBM will stop sponsoring H-1B visas and green cards for foreign workers across most roles, a company spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday. The shift comes as Donald Trump’s administration intensifies scrutiny and restrictions on high-skilled immigrant hiring.
IBM, which employs around 264,000 people globally, told Reuters that the decision follows shifting client needs and local talent availability. US immigration data indicates only 1,611 H-1B petitions were approved for the firm in fiscal year 2026, reflecting a sharp drop in foreign visa usage.
According to company documents cited by Bloomberg, affected workers must either relocate to international offices outside the United States or leave the firm by the end of the year, closing a vital route for overseas tech professionals.
Source: Ajker Patrika