TechCrunch · 8 Oct, 15:42 · Technology briefing

US bars Microsoft, Adobe, and major IT firms from green card program for skilled foreign workers

The United States has reportedly restricted Microsoft, Adobe, and several other major technology corporations from participating in specific green card programmes designed for skilled foreign workers.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

The United States has reportedly restricted Microsoft, Adobe, and several other major technology corporations from participating in specific green card programmes designed for skilled foreign workers. This regulatory shift affects the ability of these firms to sponsor permanent residency for international talent. The move signals a tightening of immigration pathways for high-demand technical roles within prominent US-based IT organisations. Professionals relying on employer sponsorship for long-term US relocation should note this significant policy change, as it directly impacts recruitment strategies and career mobility for non-citizens working in the tech sector.

Employer demand for Cloud Computing skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)
20191x20201.3x20211.8x20222.6x20233.7x20245.3x20257.6x202610.3x
Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must now consider alternative jurisdictions or remote work arrangements if your career goals involve joining these specific US tech giants. This policy shift elevates the value of roles that can be performed remotely from abroad or in countries with more favourable immigration policies, such as the UK, Canada, or the EU. You should diversify your skill set to remain attractive to global firms operating outside the US, or target employers in regions with stable visa pathways. Focus on building expertise in Cloud Computing or Cyber Security, as these fields remain critical regardless of location. Proactively update your LinkedIn profile to highlight remote-ready competencies and consider negotiating for remote-first contracts. Do not assume US-based sponsorship is guaranteed; instead, explore opportunities with multinational corporations headquartered in Europe or Asia, where talent acquisition strategies may be less constrained by US immigration policy changes.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Human Resources and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below
Cloud Computing+32%Cyber Security+27%Human Resources+25%Business And Management+34%
Matched to this story

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This briefing is based on reporting by TechCrunch on 8 Oct, 15:42. Read the original coverage →

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