New Delhi, Sept. 29 -- The US H-1B visa programme is facing another round of changes, with higher costs for employers, closer scrutiny of layoffs and tougher checks that could affect Indian technology workers seeking to work in the country.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on 18 September directing the Departments of State, Labour, and Homeland Security to consider whether an H-1B sponsoring employer has laid off similarly situated US workers in the previous year, or is planning layoffs that could affect them.

The agencies have also been directed to coordinate with the Departments of Commerce and Education and the Small Business Administration for information on wages, employment and industry conditions.

For Indian prof...