India, Sept. 19 -- US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Friday to extend the $100,000 H-1B visa fee for another 12 months, until September 2027. The fee - which has already been vacated by a US court and is facing legal challenges - was set to expire on September 21 before Trump's move to extend it.

In addition, the US commander-in-chief signed an executive order directing his top Cabinet officials to consider an employer's recent or planned layoffs of US workers when considering H-1B visa applications.

A White House statement characterised these moves as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to crack down on alleged abuse of the H-1B visa programme, which has been a preferred route for Indian professionals ...