Key facts
- IBM Consulting employs more than 150,000 people, IBM said.
- IBM said participation in US high-skilled visa programs had been declining for years.
- The White House announced a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions last year.
- The Trump administration suspended Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services from the Permanent Labor Certification process last month.
IBM said on November 10 that it was ending US visa and green card sponsorship for a majority of roles in IBM Consulting, which employs more than 150,000 people. A company spokesperson told Reuters that IBM Consulting had used US high-skilled visa programs to address skill shortages, but that participation had been declining for years.
The spokesperson said IBM opted to end sponsorship for most such roles as skill availability and client needs have evolved. Workers affected by the move can work with IBM outside the US or leave by the end of the year, Bloomberg News reported earlier, citing a company document it said it had seen.
The decision comes as Donald Trump's administration scrutinizes foreign tech hiring. Last month, the administration suspended Microsoft, Adobe and several major outsourcers, including Cognizant, Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services, from the Permanent Labor Certification process, a key step toward green cards for foreign workers. Last year, the White House announced a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions.