New York/Washington: US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said there will be “a significant number of changes” in the H1B visa process before February 2026, when the new USD 100,000 fee goes into effect. He called the idea of “inexpensive” tech consultants coming into the country and bringing their families “just wrong.”

The Trump administration announced a one-time USD 100,000 fee for new H1B visas, affecting Indian professionals seeking temporary work in the US. Lutnick clarified that the fee will not apply to current visa holders and is only for new petitions.

“This procedure goes into effect in February 2026. I expect a real, thoughtful change going forward,” Lutnick said. “There will be a variety of changes—how to get the lottery, should it still be a lottery—but that will be resolved by February.”

He criticised the H1B lottery system, calling it “bizarre,” and said the process, established in 1990, is oversubscribed, with 74% going to tech consulting. Only about 4% are for educators and doctors. Lutnick emphasised that H1B visas should go to the “most highly-skilled people” and eliminated for inexpensive tech consultants.

This month, the US Department of Labor launched 'Project Firewall' to safeguard American workers' rights, wages, and jobs, holding employers accountable for H1B abuses. Violations may result in back wages, civil penalties, or debarment from the H1B programme.