Bengaluru: 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.
Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Great news indeed. The US must bring in legislation preventing companies from filing for Green Card on behalf of employees. The very provision of employment based Green Card must be eliminated.
If anyone wishes to keep working in the USA, he/she may do so via the H1B and other such visas. Keep renewing the visa till the time you wish to keep working in the USA. Why demand a Green Card?