Howard Lutnick signals HIB visa overhaul

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has indicated that the HIB visa process will undergo “a significant number of changes” before February 2026, when the newly announced onetime fee of USD 100,000 for H1B applications is set to take effect.

- PTI

“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 on Sunday.

He added that the high fee would reduce the rush of applicants. “At least it shouldn't be overrun with these people. But I think youre 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; theyre talking about changes - how to get the lottery, should it still be a lottery? But that will all be resolved by February,” he said. “But as of right now, there's going to be a onetime fee of USD 100,000 to get in.”