> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsanek.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # IBM halts US visa and green card sponsorship for consulting roles - URL: https://newsanek.com/ibm-halts-us-green-card-sponsorship-workers/ - Published: 2026-11-12T02:31:56.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-12T02:50:24.000Z - Description: The change affects the company's largest unit, which has about 1,50,000 of its roughly 2,90,000 workers. It follows a US labour department freeze on green card applications at eight tech firms. - Author: Kumar Ujjwal - Tags: World, UPSC Today, GS Paper 2, Explainer, #sub-international, #sub-jobs, #national-desk, #sm-58, #smemo-relatable IBM has suspended US visa and green card sponsorship for major roles in its consulting division. The announcement came on Tuesday, as the Trump administration cracks down on visa programmes for foreign workers. Sponsorship means the employer supports a worker's visa or green card application. A green card gives a person the right to live permanently in the United States. The consulting division is IBM's largest unit. It employs around 1,50,000 people, out of a global workforce of about 2,90,000. IBM's US Visa Sponsorship Halt in Numbers **1,50,000 people**IBM consulting staff **2,90,000 people**IBM global workforce **27,863 times**H-1B sponsorships since 2009 **1,611 visas**H-1B visas approved in 2026 Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report Affected staff have two options. They can move to work for IBM outside the US, or they can leave the company by the end of the year. ### Key points - IBM has suspended US visa and green card sponsorship for major roles in its consulting division. - The consulting unit employs around 1,50,000 of the company's 2,90,000 workers. - Affected staff can work for IBM outside the US or leave by the end of the year. - The move follows a US labour department freeze on PERM applications for eight tech firms. ## So why did the company make this decision? A company spokesperson said IBM had used US high-skilled visa programmes to fill skill shortages. However, participation in these programmes has been falling over the years. In a document shared with managers, the company cited the availability of skilled workers in the US. It also pointed to changing client needs. Since 2009, IBM has sponsored H-1B workers 27,863 times. An H-1B is a US work visa for skilled foreign workers. Data from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, known as USCIS, shows 1,611 H-1B visas were approved in 2026. In 2025, the number was 2,045. ## What is happening at other tech companies? Last month, the US Department of Labor, known as DOL, suspended PERM applications for eight major technology and IT companies. PERM is a key step in getting a green card for a foreign worker. The affected firms include Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, known as TCS, Wipro, HCL Technologies and Capgemini. Four of them are Indian IT companies. The Trump administration has also sought approval for a 100,000 dollar filing fee on H-1B petitions. A petition is the formal request filed for a worker's visa. For tech firms that hire globally, this could be a major cost. ## What happens next for the affected workers? Affected employees have until the end of the year to decide. They must either move to work outside the US or leave the company. If you work in IT, or someone in your family does, these rules can shape your career plans. So it is worth following them closely. Explainer ### What happened before - Since 2009, IBM has sponsored H-1B workers 27,863 times. - Last month, the US Department of Labor suspended PERM applications for eight major technology and IT companies. - The Trump administration has also sought approval for a 100,000 dollar filing fee on H-1B petitions. ### Why it matters The change can affect IT professionals working in the US and the companies that hire them. It shows how visa rules are getting stricter for foreign workers. ### What to watch next - Affected IBM workers must move to work outside the US or leave the company by the end of the year. Exam Corner **UPSC GS Paper 2** · IR: US visa policy and IT workers ### What's the news IBM has suspended US visa and green card sponsorship for major roles in its consulting division, as the US tightens rules for foreign workers. Affected staff must move outside the US or leave by the end of the year. ### Background - H-1B is a US work visa for skilled foreign workers, and PERM is a key step towards a green card. - The US Department of Labor suspended PERM applications for eight major technology and IT companies last month. - The Trump administration has sought approval for a 100,000 dollar filing fee on H-1B petitions. ### Facts for Prelims - IBM Consulting employs around 1,50,000 people out of a global workforce of about 2,90,000. - IBM sponsored H-1B workers 27,863 times since 2009. - The eight companies affected include Infosys, TCS, Wipro and HCL Technologies. ### Content for Mains 1. **Significance:** Shows how immigration policy can directly affect global IT firms and skilled professionals. 2. **Main issue:** Tension between skill shortages in the US and tighter rules on foreign workers. 3. **Impact:** Affects Indian IT professionals, companies with global workforces, and cross-border hiring. 4. **Way forward:** Balance national employment goals with the need for global talent and stable business planning. **Practice question:** Discuss how changes in US immigration policy affect global IT companies and skilled Indian professionals. ### Prelims practice questions **Q1.** Which company has suspended US visa and green card sponsorship for major roles in its consulting division? 1. Infosys 2. IBM 3. Wipro 4. Tata Consultancy Services Show answer **Answer: B.** IBM suspended sponsorship for major roles in its IBM Consulting division. **Q2.** Which US body suspended PERM applications for eight major technology companies? 1. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services 2. Reserve Bank of India 3. Department of Labor 4. Supreme Court of the United States Show answer **Answer: C.** The Department of Labor suspended PERM applications for eight major technology and IT companies. ### Key terms - **H-1B visa**: A US work visa that allows companies to employ skilled foreign workers for a set period. - **Green card**: A document that gives a foreign national permanent residence in the United States. - **PERM**: Permanent Labour Certification, a step in the process of getting a US green card for a foreign worker. More stories for exam preparation: [UPSC Today](https://newsanek.com/upsc-today/) These points come from this news report. Check them with standard sources such as NCERT books and PIB before your exam. --- ### Sources - [The Week: ‘Relocate or leave’: IBM tells workers as it halts US green card sponsorship](https://www.theweek.in/news/biz-tech/2026/11/11/relocate-or-leave-ibm-tells-workers-as-it-halts-us-green-card-sponsorship.html?ref=newsanek.com)