NEW DELHI: Days after the Trump administration imposed an exorbitant fee on H-1B visa, US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick said that there will be “a significant number of changes” in the H-1B visa process before February 2026, when the new fee of $100,000 goes into effect.Lutnick described the current visa process as a “wrong idea” which leads to “inexpensive” tech consultants coming into the country and bringing their families.“This procedure and process goes into effect in February of 2026, so my guess is going to be, there are going to be a significant number of changes between now and 2026,” Lutnick said in an interview with NewsNation.Lutnick said that with the USD 100,000 fee on applications, “at least it shouldn’t be overrun with these people. But I think you’re going to see a real thoughtful change going forward. And that’s what I expect will happen.”“There’s going to be a variety of changes; they’re talking about changes – how to get the lottery, should it still be a lottery? But that will all be resolved by February,” he said.He said that “but as of right now”, there’s going to be a one-time fee of USD 100,000 to get in. “The idea of having tech consultants and trainees who are inexpensive should be eliminated. I have a strong opinion that way. I think the President’s right with me on those same topics… I am completely on the view that this idea that inexpensive tech consultants should be coming into this country and bringing their families, I find it just wrong, and so it sits wrong with me,” Lutnick added.This comes after Trump issued a new presidential proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” that introduces a major overhaul to the H-1B visa programme, imposing a steep $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, raising fresh questions about whether this is a much-needed correction or a potentially crippling blow to America’s tech talent pipeline.The fee increase represents a massive jump from the current $2,000–5,000 range, sparking concerns over its impact on startups, small businesses, and Indian IT professionals.Earlier, the government expressed serious concern over a raise in the H-1B visa fee, calling it a potential disruption for skilled Indian professionals and their families in the United States.In an official statement, the spokesperson said the full implications are being studied, noting that Indian industry has already put out an initial analysis clarifying some perceptions related to the H-1B program.“Industry in both India and the US has a stake in innovation and creativity and can be expected to consult on the best path forward,” the statement said.“Policymakers will therefore assess recent steps taking into account mutual benefits, which include strong people-to-people ties between the two countries,” the spokesperson added.
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