The idea of "inexpensive" tech consultants traveling to the US with their families was also criticized by Howard Lutnik, who described it as "just wrong."
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has now stated that the H-1B visa procedure will be redesigned before to February 2026, when the recently announced charge of USD 100,000 (more than ₹88 lakh) goes into force, just as India was struggling with the increase in the visa fee. Lutnik also criticized the idea of "inexpensive" tech consultants coming to the US with their families, saying it was "just wrong" and that "a significant number of changes" will be implemented.He claimed that the impending changes to the H-1B visa application process will make it more stringent far in advance of the significant fee increase.
Indian professionals wishing to work in the US on temporary visas will be impacted by the Donald Trump administration's announcement earlier this month that the H-1B visa fee for new hires entering the US will increase.
"Very considerate change"
Lutnick had stated in a previous interview that the process would include a large number of adjustments and would go into effect in February 2026. "This process and procedure will go into effect in February 2026, so I anticipate that there will be a lot of changes between now and 2026," the US Commerce Secretary stated.
Indian professionals wishing to work in the US on temporary visas will be impacted by the Donald Trump administration's announcement earlier this month that the H-1B visa fee for new hires entering the US will increase.
"Very considerate change"
Lutnick had stated in a previous interview that the process would include a large number of adjustments and would go into effect in February 2026. "This process and procedure will go into effect in February 2026, so I anticipate that there will be a lot of changes between now and 2026," the US Commerce Secretary stated.
Additionally, Lutnick stated that a "thoughtful" adjustment will be seen in the future.
There will be a number of adjustments; they are discussing whether the lottery should still be a lottery and how to enter it. He said, "But as of right now, there's going to be a one-time fee of USD 100,000 to get in," but that will all be handled by February.
He remembered a recent conversation with the executives of two of the biggest software companies in the world, who labeled the idea of selecting qualified individuals' admittance into the US through a lottery "bizarre." He also noted that the H-1B visa procedure operates similarly to a lottery.
There will be a number of adjustments; they are discussing whether the lottery should still be a lottery and how to enter it. He said, "But as of right now, there's going to be a one-time fee of USD 100,000 to get in," but that will all be handled by February.
He remembered a recent conversation with the executives of two of the biggest software companies in the world, who labeled the idea of selecting qualified individuals' admittance into the US through a lottery "bizarre." He also noted that the H-1B visa procedure operates similarly to a lottery.
Lutnick asked why a country should use a lottery to import skilled labor. "That is simply nonsensical."
According to him, everyone agrees that the 1990-established H-1B procedure, which has been "sort of butchered along the way," has to be modified.
Regarding "cheap" tech consultants
According to the US Commerce Secretary, 74% of the visas are granted for tech consultancy, and they are 7–10 times "oversubscribed."
Are tech consultants eligible for H1B visas? In some way, it's crucial that IT consultants work onshore rather than offshore. In any case, they're all abroad," he stated.
According to him, everyone agrees that the 1990-established H-1B procedure, which has been "sort of butchered along the way," has to be modified.
Regarding "cheap" tech consultants
According to the US Commerce Secretary, 74% of the visas are granted for tech consultancy, and they are 7–10 times "oversubscribed."
Are tech consultants eligible for H1B visas? In some way, it's crucial that IT consultants work onshore rather than offshore. In any case, they're all abroad," he stated.
He went on to say that the US should only offer "highly-skilled jobs" to the "most highly-skilled people" and that the H-1B lottery has to be "fixed."
He stated that high-paid engineers should be employed by US corporations.
"The notion of using low-cost IT consultants and trainees had to be abandoned. That's how strongly I feel. Regarding the same issues, I believe the President is correct. The idea that low-cost tech consultants should be entering this nation with their families is something that I really believe is incorrect, and it bothers me," Lutnick said.
He stated that high-paid engineers should be employed by US corporations.
"The notion of using low-cost IT consultants and trainees had to be abandoned. That's how strongly I feel. Regarding the same issues, I believe the President is correct. The idea that low-cost tech consultants should be entering this nation with their families is something that I really believe is incorrect, and it bothers me," Lutnick said.
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