United States technology giant IBM has announced it will stop sponsoring US foreign worker visas and green cards for most roles within its largest division, IBM Consulting. A company spokesperson told Reuters on Tuesday that the decision was made as “skill availability and client needs have evolved.”IBM Consulting employs more than 150,000 of IBM’s 264,300-strong global workforce. The company’s participation in US high-skilled visa programs has been declining for years, with only 1,611 H-1B petitions approved for IBM in fiscal year 2026, a decrease from over 2,000 in fiscal year 2025 and around 3,000 in fiscal year 2024.The announcement comes amid increased pressure from the Donald Trump administration on major companies to reduce their highly skilled foreign workforce in the US. President Donald Trump has claimed the H-1B program is often subject to fraud and takes jobs away from skilled Americans, giving them to immigrants.In September 2025, the Trump administration announced a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions, which came into effect on September 21, 2025. This is significantly higher than the previous fees of $2,000 to $5,000. Additionally, in October 2025, the administration suspended several technology companies, including Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, and Microsoft, from a program that allows H-1B workers to apply for green cards. This suspension was announced hours after President Trump honored Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.Affected employees of IBM Consulting may continue working for IBM outside the United States or leave the company by the end of this year. It remains unclear which specific roles within IBM Consulting will be affected by the cessation of visa sponsorships and how this decision will impact current H-1B visa holders at the company.
Background
- In September 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, effective September 21, 2025.
What happens next
The Trump administration has proposed removing the current 60-day grace period for H-1B visa holders, which would require them to leave the US immediately upon termination of employment. The legal challenge regarding the $100,000 H-1B visa fee proposal is still pending.
Why it matters for Nepal
H-1B visas are a significant pathway for skilled workers from Nepal, with 780 Nepalis and 287 dependents receiving them in 2024. The increased fee of $100,000 (approximately Rs 14.1 million) for new H-1B applications is expected to reduce opportunities for skilled workers seeking employment in the US, though it does not apply to current visa holders or renewals.
