Relax visa policies for skilled workers, Gates tells U.S. Congress

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates testified before the U.S. House Science Committee and urged the Congress to invest more in math and science and loosen immigration policies for skilled foreign workers to remain competitive.

The Associated Press reported that Gates stressed on the country's acute shortage of scientists and engineers. Gates said the current visa limits have forced Microsoft and other firms to locate staff overseas and unless the issues are addressed, U.S. companies will not have "the talent to innovate and compete."

In addition to improving educational opportunities in science and technology and reforming the visa system for highly skilled workers, Gates also suggested to increase federal funding for basic scientific research and offer incentives for private-sector R&D.