Understanding the rationale for the hike and why tightening up on foreign workers may not undo the US’ dynamismAmerica's economic dynamism will likely not be undone by tightening up on foreign talent inflow. PHOTO: BLOOMBERGI HELD an H-1B visa for nine years in the early 2000s. The non-immigrant visa in the US allows employers to hire foreign workers in speciality occupations. When I held the H-1B, I did not spend much time in the US. Typically, I was there for one or two weeks a year to help grade examinations for a US-headquartered professional body.