US merit-based immigration is a kind of system which permits foreigners to immigrate to the US depending on their skills, education, work experience and more. Foreigners that achieve high points in certain fields can also obtain a green card. The maximum number of points one can achieve is 100 while the minimum you need in order to qualify for a green card is at least 30.
If you are granted a green card then you can permanently relocate to the United States and remain in whatever state you choose. You are also permitted to work and be eligible to apply for US citizenship after the initial 5-year period has expired.
Read this article until the end to find out more about this visa system, the requirements, and the application process.
US Merit Based Immigration Requirements
The requirements for the merit based system are as follows:
- The prioritised ages are between 26 and 30 years old
- STEM degrees from the United States are also given more priority
- You must have a good English proficiency and prove it if you have taken tests such as IELTS or TOEFL
- If you have achieved any prizes or notable accomplishments then you must submit those too
- If you are working then you need to say your annual salary.
- Priority might also be given to those who are investing for the economy or intent to launch a new enterprise
Note: These are some of the general requirements that you must know, however, keep in mind that additional requirements might be asked, thus, its best to contact the appropriate offices for more information.
Merit Based Immigration Points Distribution
Once you are aware of the requirements then you should know how the points are distributed in a merit based system. The points will depend on different factors such as the age of the applicants, the educational level, English proficiency, accomplishments, investments and more.
Distributed points for age
- To begin with, the age of 0 to 17 are not eligible for the application
- Ages of 18 to 21 can receive a total of 6 points
- Ages 22 to 25 are granted 8 points
- If you are 26-30 years of age then you are given 10 points
- From 31 to 35 you can receive 8 points
- Ages 36 to 40 are given 6 points
- Ages 41 to 45 can receive 4 points
- If you are 46 to 50 years old then you can only receive 2 points
- For those who are 51 years old or more you will not be granted any points
Distributed points for education level
- If you hold a high school US diploma then this will give you 1 point
- If you hold a foreign bachelor degree then you will receive 5 points, while if you hold a US bachelor degree, you will get 6 points
- Applicants who have a STEM foreign master degree can get a total of 7 points while those who hold a US STEM master degree can receive 8 points
- Applicants who hold a STEM foreign professional degree or doctorate can receive 10 points, while those who hold a US professional degree or doctorate can receive 13 points.
Foreign degree holders will be able to see which institutions meet official accreditation standards based on the list compiled by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Education Department. The list consists of only those institutions whose degrees are recognized for Merit Based Immigration.
Distributed points for English proficiency
In addition, the applicant must demonstrate proficiency in English on the proficiency tests, which is tied to their ranking in decile levels. According to the decile ranking, more points are awarded to higher deciles.
- 1st through 5th Deciles receive 0 points
- 6th and 7th Deciles receive 6 points
- 8th Decile receive 10 points
- 9th Decile receive 11 points
- 10th Decile receive 12 points
Distributed points for accomplishments
Those who have been granted notable accomplishments can also receive points depending on the type of the achievement. These achievements are worth a total of 30 points and those who possess one of these accomplishments will pass 30 points much faster than those without.
- If you have been granted a Nobel prize on a certain field the you will receive 25 points
- If you have won an Olympic medal or have won the first place in an international sport event you can receive 15 points
Distributed points for job opportunities
Applicants with a legitimate work proposal from a U.S. employer can receive additional points.
The points will be determined by the salary you will receive. The income is based on the US Secretary of Labor’s estimate of the median household income in the US state where you’ll be working.
- If the state you are going to work at has at least 150 percent household income then you can receive 5 points. Note that it should not be less than 200 percent
- If the state you are going to work at has at least 200 percent household income then you can receive 8 points. Note that it should not be less than 300 percent
- If the state you are going to work at has at least 300 percent household income then you can receive 13 points.
Distributed points for investments and enterprises
The sum of money that will be invested in the US economy by starting a new business, as well as the time it will take the investor to run it, will all count for the merit based system.
- If you plan on investing at least $1,350,000 in a new private company in the United States, as well as take part in a significant role in managing the company, then you will be granted 6 points.
- If you plan on investing at least $1,800,000 in a new private company in the United States, as well as take part in a significant role in managing the company, then you will be granted 6 points.
Remember that you must maintain the investments in the enterprise for a minimum of 3 years. Also, US immigration authorities will monitor your progress and ensure that you keep your investment.
If you do not retain your investment or management position in accordance with the conditions mentioned above, your Merit Based visa will be revoked.
Application process for a Merit Based Visa
In order to apply for a merit based visa, you will have to go through different steps:
- Online application submission
- Applications rankings
- Visa invitations
- Announcement of the winners
Online application submission
The first step in the list is the submission of the online application. If you receive a total of 30 points from the merit based system then you can start the application process and submit the form to USCIS.
Along with the form you will have to attach the following documentation:
- Certificate of birth
- Degrees of your education
- English proficiency scores
- Evidence if you have been granted any notable achievement
- Letter of your job opportunity
- Additional papers regarding whether you will invest in an enterprise in the United States
You’ll have to also pay a $160 filing fee to have your application processed.
The government retains the right to adjust fees in response to inflation. You will be put in a candidate pool once you submit your application.
Ranking of the applications
Once the first step is done then USCIS will process it according to the points you have received. As mentioned, if you have less than 30 points then your application will be rejected. Do know that there are some occasions when two applicants have the same number of points. The tie can be broken either with English proficiency, age, or educational level.
- English proficiency – Whoever has the highest level of proficiency will be ranked higher
- Age – Applicants who are nearing their 25th will be given a higher ranking than those who are younger or older.
- Educational level – A doctorate degree would be the highest level, followed by professional, master, bachelor and high school degrees. Do know that if you hold a US degree then that will be ranked higher. If you hold a foreign degree then it will be ranked lower
Visa invitations
USCIS will send invitations to the highest-ranked applicants every six months after rating the applicants. The eligible candidates will have 90 days from the date USCIS sends the invitations to file an application for a Merit Based visa with USCIS.
The documentation that is needed to be submitted to prove your qualification is as follows:
- Your employer must provide an attestation specifying the job title, wage, and that the position would not displace a U.S. worker
- Evidence that you will be granted health insurance in accordance with the US legislation or whether you are buying it on your own
- You will also have to pay a $345 processing fee.
Announcement of the winners
The winners will be announced by USCIS, and the visas will be issued by US embassies in the winners’ home countries. The candidates will be checked for criminal history and medical appointments.
