The U.S. government is preparing for major reforms in the H-1B visa policy, which are expected to take effect by February 2026. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made key remarks, criticizing the existing lottery system as flawed and highlighting the need for a more direct selection process for highly skilled professionals. Currently, nearly 74% of H-1B visas go to tech workers, while only 4% are issued to doctors and educators, despite the country’s growing demand for highly qualified professionals in these sectors. Lutnick stressed that H-1B visas should not be limited to bringing in low-cost tech talent, but should also prioritize doctors, educators, and top-paid experts in critical fields. He even suggested that imposing a higher visa fee, if necessary, would be justified to ensure quality candidates. These comments signal that H-1B visa rules are likely to become stricter in the coming years, with a focus on attracting highly skilled talent across multiple sectors.