(ARMONK, N.Y.) — Nov. 11, 2026 — IBM is making significant changes to its global workforce, announcing job reductions and ending U.S. visa and green card sponsorship for most positions in its consulting division.
The latest development came Tuesday, Nov. 10, when IBM confirmed that it would discontinue immigration sponsorship for the majority of roles within IBM Consulting, a division employing more than 150,000 people worldwide.
According to Reuters, the company said its reliance on U.S. high-skilled visa programs has declined over the years as workforce availability and client requirements have changed.
The decision follows IBM's earlier announcement that it would reduce a low single-digit percentage of its global workforce during the fourth quarter. The company has not disclosed the exact number of positions being eliminated.
With approximately 264,300 employees at the end of 2025, even a small percentage reduction could affect thousands of workers worldwide.
Photo Credit: LinkedIn
What Happens to Employees on Work Visas?
The changes could have serious consequences for foreign workers employed in the United States.
Bloomberg reported that affected consulting employees may have the option to continue working for IBM outside the United States or leave the company by the end of 2026.
However, IBM has not publicly disclosed how many visa holders will be affected, which positions will remain eligible for sponsorship, or how pending green card applications will be handled.
The announcement comes amid increased federal scrutiny of employment-based immigration programs and the hiring of foreign technology workers.
Why Is IBM Cutting Jobs?
IBM has been shifting its business toward higher-margin software, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Under CEO Arvind Krishna, the company has invested heavily in software and AI-related services while continuing to review its staffing needs.
The company previously told Reuters that workforce adjustments are part of its regular business operations.
Although IBM has acknowledged the planned reductions, it has not provided a detailed breakdown of affected departments, locations, or job classifications.
What Remains Unclear
Several questions remain unanswered, including how many U.S. employees will lose their jobs, whether additional consulting positions will be eliminated, and what support will be available to affected workers.
IBM has said that U.S. employment is expected to remain roughly unchanged year over year, despite some American employees being affected by the broader restructuring.
For workers facing possible layoffs or changes to immigration sponsorship, the coming weeks could bring difficult decisions about employment, relocation, and their ability to remain in the United States.
OpGov.News will continue monitoring IBM's workforce announcements and any confirmed developments affecting employees in California and across the country.
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