Need to block ‘inexpensive’ tech consultants: Lutnick hints at more H-1B curbs

Speaking on the administration’s proposed $100,000 one-time H-1B application fee, set to take effect from February 2026, Lutnick said the move was aimed at curbing abuse of the system, which is currently oversubscribed “seven to 10 times”. He added that there would be a significant number of changes in the H1B visa process when it goes into effect next year.

The Commerce Secretary, while speaking to a US news channel, argued that visas should prioritise highly paid, highly skilled workers such as doctors, educators and engineers, not low-cost technology consultants.

“I find this idea that inexpensive tech consultants should be coming into this country and bringing their families simply wrong,” Lutnick said, adding that both he and President Trump shared the same view.

The US Commerce Secretary stressed that priority should go to doctors, educators and highly trained engineers, rather than cheaper contract workers. “If you want to hire engineers, you should hire highly paid ones,” he remarked.

The proposed changes in the H-1B visa rules have already triggered intense debate. While sections of the ‘MAGA (Make America Great Again) base’ view the crackdown as necessary to protect American jobs, critics argue these measures will hurt innovation and the tech sector’s ability to recruit global talent.

Lutnick also hinted that broader reforms were under discussion, including whether the US should scrap the lottery system altogether and move to a merit-based framework.

“The process, which was set up in 1990 and sort of butchered along the way, needs to change,” he added.