IBM's policy revision targets its massive consulting division, which previously tapped high-skilled visa pipelines to bridge critical domestic talent deficits. Affected staff must decide between taking an overseas role with the company or parting ways entirely by the end of the year. This corporate pivot aligns with tightening federal policies, including a proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions introduced last year. Meanwhile, federal agencies continue to ramp up oversight on foreign tech talent across the entire industry.
Key points
IBM cited shifting client demands and increased domestic skill availability for winding d…: IBM cited shifting client demands and increased domestic skill availability for winding down immigration sponsorships.
The strategic shift follows declining participation by the consulting division in high-sk…: The strategic shift follows declining participation by the consulting division in high-skilled visa programs over several years.
Donald Trump's administration recently barred major tech peers like Microsoft and Cogniza…: Donald Trump's administration recently barred major tech peers like Microsoft and Cognizant from a vital green card certification program.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Nov 10 : IBM said on Tuesday 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.
The move comes amid tight scrutiny of foreign tech hiring by Donald Trump's administration. Last month, it 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.
IBM Consulting has used US high-skilled visa programs to address skill shortages, but participation has been declining for years, a company spokesperson told Reuters.
It opted to end sponsorship for most such roles as skill availability and client needs have evolved, the spokesperson added.
Workers impacted 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.
Last year, the White House announced a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions.
Wearable technology developer Oura has reached an agreement to bring Counsel Health under its corporate umbrella. The high-value transaction represents an expenditure of $625 million to complete the corporate purchase. This strategic corporate move binds the smart ring producer directly to the acquired health entity.
The chipmaker's leadership faces unprecedented internal scrutiny as corporate governance officials evaluate potential security risks surrounding top executive conduct. Even firm skeptics warn that destabilizing corporate leadership at this juncture would trigger broad negative repercussions across the market. The situation leaves investors weighing governance concerns against the risks of abrupt executive turnover.
The strategic transaction comes shortly after the smart ring maker delayed its initial public offering amid uncertain market conditions. By integrating specialized clinical artificial intelligence, the hardware company aims to bridge consumer health tracking directly with professional medical services. This substantial investment demonstrates a growing industry reliance on automated tools to triage and support future patient care.