Srinagar, Sept. 20 -- New Delhi, September 20 - In a move that could hit thousands of Indian professionals and the country's information technology industry, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation imposing an additional USD 100,000 (around Rs.83 lakh) fee on companies sponsoring workers under the H-1B visa programme. The order will take effect from September 21 and remain in force for a year unless extended.

The White House justified the measure as a step to stop the "abuse" of the H-1B system, which it claims has displaced American workers and posed national security risks. Under the new rules, any U.S. employer hiring a foreign worker from outside the country will have to pay the extra sum for the petition to be approved...