National Association of Software and Service Companies said on Tuesday that it has enlisted the help of certain American law firms in drawing up an industry approach paper on the concept of professional services visa, which would then be submitted to the Indian government.

"We are talking to US law firms (for consultancy) on a draft approach paper on professional services visa, which help in cutting down on time for availing a visa," Sunil Mehta, vice president of Nasscom told reporters in New Delhi.

Mehta said the approach paper would be submitted to the government.

"At present it is in the thinking stage. A professional services visa would be issued for performing specific work in a specific country for a short-term period, say 18-20 months. It does not require the concerned company to have an onsite presence," he said.

Mehta did not give the names of the law firms, which Nasscom is talking to.

Mehta, who is just back from the US after meeting government officials and American industry representatives in the backdrop of the recent outcry over outsourcing, said, "India's proposition is being well understood across the board."

Seeking to allay fears that there was an immediate impact on the Indian IT industry, he said the first quarter results of the IT companies had vindicated this stand.