IBM Ends H-1B & Green Card Visa Sponsorship

In a big shock to its on-site employees working in USA, tech giant IBM has officially announced that it will end US visa and green card sponsorships for the majority of roles within its consulting division. This sudden announcement affects IBM Consulting, which is the company’s largest business unit and employs more than 150,000 workers worldwide.

The shocking update now puts many foreign employees who rely on work visas in a very difficult spot. Reliable sources claim that impacted staff members are being given a tough choice before the year ends. They can either choose to transfer and continue working for IBM outside the United States or leave the company entirely.

The decision has sent shockwaves through the international tech community, especially among foreign engineers and IT professionals working in America. Many skilled workers who hoped to secure permanent residency through their employers are now left in a big dilemma over the uncertain future.

Last month, Trump’s administration gave a big shock by suspending eight major technology and global IT consulting corporations from filing new labor certifications or processing pending green card applications. The companies included Microsoft, TCS, WIPRO, Cognizant, Infosys, HCL, Adobe and Capgemini.

The administration has increased pressure on high-skilled immigration programs by tightening rules and pausing green card paths for these companies. So, many big firms are rethinking their long-term staffing rules and changing how they recruit non American workers.

Now, IBM has voluntarily decided to pause the green card processing. The company stated that the availability of local, highly skilled US tech talent has increased, making dependence on foreign workers not mandatory to fill executive roles.