find out your score from the merit-based system

Section 502. Merit-Based Evaluation System for Immigrants

Eliminates employment preference categories 1, 2, and 3 and replaces it with a merit-based preference system. Eliminates the labor certification process. Maintains the special immigrant and EB-5 categories but cuts their numbers (total of 7,000 available annually).

Merit points are initially assigned as follows with a total of 100 points that could be earned:
Employment: 47 maximum total points can be earned for:
• U.S. employment in a specialty occupation (20 points)
• U.S. employment in a high demand occupation (16 points)
• U.S. employment in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) or health-related field, current for at least one year (8 points)
• From employer willing to pay 50% of LPR application fee: U.S. job offer or U.S. employer attestation for current employee (6 points)
• U.S. work experience (2 points per year/10 points max)
• Age of worker between 25-39 (3 points)

Education: 28 maximum total points can be earned for:
• Advanced Graduate degree (20 points)
• Bachelor’s degree (16 points)
• Associate’s degree (10 points)
• High School diploma/GED (6 points)
• Certified vocational degree (5 points)
• DOL registered apprenticeship (8 points)
• Associate’s degree or above in STEM field (8 points)

English/Civics: 15 total points can be earned for:
• Native English speaker or TOEFL score 75 or above (15 points)
• TOEFL score 60-75 (10 points)
• Pass USCIS Citizenship test in English and civics (6 points)

Extended Family: for those with total of 55 or above in above categories, 10 total points can be earned for:
• Adult (21 or over) child of USC (8 points)
• Adult (21 or over) child of LPR (6 points)
• Sibling of USC or LPR (4 points)
• Visa application in any category above after May 1, 2005 (2 points)