Companies in the United States are increasingly relocating foreign employees out of the country and speeding up green card sponsorship as tougher immigration rules, rising costs, and visa delays impact the ability to attract and retain global talent.
According to Envoy Global’s U.S. Corporate Immigration Trends 2026 report, based upon a survey of 519 American employers in March and April this year, 65% reported foreign employees leaving the United States during the past year because of visa-related issues such as visa denials and processing delays. The report also found that instead of reducing international recruitment, employers are increasingly moving talent to countries with more favorable immigration systems.
Companies identified Canada as the most preferred destination, followed by the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Ireland, Spain, the UAE, Singapore, and the Netherlands. The trend is also likely to continue with 68% of American employers planning to increase nearshoring or offshoring in 2026.
“This year’s 2026 U.S. Corporate Immigration Trends Report findings show that financial and professional services, along with technology, report the strongest pivot toward global redistribution,” said Nicole Hartnett, managing attorney at Corporate Immigration Partners.
IAM Member Impact: For IAM members, the news signals rising demand for outbound international moves from the United States, concentrated in tech and financial/professional services accounts.
Source: Business Standard