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US Merit-Based Immigration Points Calculator
Estimate your eligibility score under the proposed US Merit-Based Immigration System (RAISE Act).
Important Notice
This calculator is based on the Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act, which was a legislative proposal from 2017 and did not become law. The United States does not currently use this points system for immigration. This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not reflect current US immigration policy.
Your Points Summary
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Points Breakdown
Understanding the Proposed US Merit-Based System
RAISE Act Proposal
The Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act was a bill introduced in 2017 that proposed a points-based system similar to those used in Canada and Australia.
- Proposed minimum score: 30 points
- Would have significantly reduced family-based immigration
- Would have eliminated the Diversity Visa Lottery
- Proposed to cap refugee admissions
- Was not enacted into law
Current US Immigration System
The United States currently uses several different pathways for permanent immigration, not a points-based system.
- Family-sponsored immigration
- Employment-based immigration
- Diversity Visa program (Lottery)
- Humanitarian programs (refugees and asylees)
- Special categories (Special Immigrant Visas, etc.)
International Comparisons
Several countries use points-based systems similar to what was proposed in the RAISE Act.
- Canada uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
- Australia uses the General Skilled Migration points test
- New Zealand uses a Skilled Migrant Category points system
- The UK introduced a points-based system after Brexit
Key Factors in the Proposed Merit-Based System
The proposed RAISE Act would have awarded points based on factors believed to predict economic success and self-sufficiency in the United States. The system was designed to select immigrants who would be least likely to require public assistance and most likely to contribute economically.
- Age: Prime working-age applicants (26-30) would receive maximum points.
- Education: Higher education credentials, especially from U.S. institutions and in STEM fields, would receive more points.
- English Proficiency: Strong English language skills would be heavily weighted.
- High-Salary Job Offers: Job offers with salaries significantly above regional medians would earn substantial points.
- Extraordinary Achievement: Nobel Prize winners or Olympic medalists would receive significant bonus points.
- Investment: Substantial investment in new American businesses would be rewarded with points.
Under this proposal, applicants would need to score at least 30 points to be eligible for a green card. The system would create a more selective approach to immigration, focusing on human capital factors rather than family ties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this merit-based system currently in use in the United States?
No. This calculator is based on the Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act, which was proposed in 2017 but was not enacted into law. The United States does not currently use a comprehensive points-based immigration system like the one proposed in the RAISE Act.
The current U.S. immigration system continues to prioritize family reunification, employment-based categories (based on job offers rather than points), humanitarian protection, and diversity.
How is the current U.S. immigration system structured?
The current U.S. immigration system has several primary pathways to permanent residency:
- Family-Based Immigration: U.S. citizens and permanent residents can sponsor certain family members.
- Employment-Based Immigration: Based on specific job offers and labor certification, not a points system.
- Diversity Visa Lottery: 50,000 visas annually for people from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S.
- Humanitarian Programs: Including refugee resettlement and asylum.
- Special Programs: Such as the EB-5 Investor Program, Special Immigrant Visas, etc.
Each pathway has its own eligibility requirements, annual caps, and processing procedures.
How does this proposed system compare to Canada's Express Entry?
Both systems award points based on human capital factors, but there are key differences:
- Comprehensiveness: Canada's system is more comprehensive, with more factors considered and a higher maximum point total (1200 vs. ~85).
- Adaptability: Canada's system includes adaptability factors like having relatives in Canada or previous Canadian experience.
- Spouse Factors: Canada awards points for spouse's education and skills; the RAISE Act proposal did not.
- Achievement Bonus: The RAISE Act proposal included substantial points for extraordinary achievements like Nobel Prizes; Canada's system does not.
- Cut-off Scores: Canada uses a dynamic cut-off score that changes with each draw; the RAISE Act proposed a fixed minimum of 30 points.
Canada's system is actively used and regularly updated, while the RAISE Act was merely a proposal that was not enacted.
What would happen to family-based immigration under this proposed system?
The RAISE Act proposal would have significantly reduced family-based immigration:
- It would have eliminated several family preference categories, including those for adult children of U.S. citizens, siblings of U.S. citizens, and parents of U.S. citizens.
- It would have retained only the immediate relative category for spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens.
- It would have created a renewable temporary visa for elderly parents needing caretaking, but without a path to permanent residency.
This represents a substantial shift from the current system, which places a high priority on family reunification.
How would English language proficiency be measured under this system?
The RAISE Act proposal did not specify exactly which English tests would be accepted, but it would likely have used established standardized tests like TOEFL, IELTS, or similar assessments.
Points would be awarded based on the applicant's percentile score relative to the U.S. population, with higher scores in the 80th-100th percentiles earning the most points.
This approach differs from Canada's system, which uses specific Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels across four language abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
Are there any current proposals for a points-based immigration system in the U.S.?
Various immigration reform proposals continue to be discussed, some of which include elements of a points-based system. However, as of early 2025, there has been no legislation passed that would implement a comprehensive points-based immigration system in the United States.
Immigration policy remains a complex and politically divisive issue in the U.S., with substantial disagreements about priorities, eligibility criteria, and overall immigration levels.
For the most current information on U.S. immigration policy and proposed reforms, it's best to consult the official USCIS website or trusted news sources that specialize in immigration policy.