USA Merit Based Points Calculator – Proposed

US Merit-Based Immigration Points Calculator | VisaVerge
Important: This Is NOT Current Law
This calculator is based on the RAISE Act, a legislative proposal that was never enacted. The United States does not currently have a points-based immigration system. This tool is for educational purposes only to help you understand what a proposed merit-based system could look like.
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US Merit-Based Immigration Points Calculator

Explore how you might score under a proposed points-based immigration system similar to the RAISE Act. This educational tool helps you understand merit-based immigration concepts while comparing to existing systems in Canada, Australia, and the UK.

Proposed Only Based on RAISE Act Compare Systems Educational Tool

Understanding Merit-Based Immigration

Points-based immigration systems are used by several countries including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. These systems assign points based on factors like age, education, work experience, language skills, and job offers to determine visa eligibility.

The RAISE Act (Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment) was introduced in the US Senate in 2017 by Senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue but was never enacted into law. Similar proposals continue to be discussed, including in Project 2025 policy documents and recent campaign platforms.

🇨🇦 Canada
Express Entry CRS
67 min (FSW) / ~525 cutoff
🇦🇺 Australia
SkillSelect Points Test
65 min / 85-90 competitive
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Points-Based System
70 required (50 + 20)
01

Age

Points favor working-age individuals (26-30 optimal)
02

Education

US STEM degrees from accredited institutions
03

English Language Proficiency

Based on standardized test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
04

Job Offer & Salary

Must be a bona fide job offer from a US employer
05

Extraordinary Achievements

Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, Turing Award, Olympic medal, or comparable
06

Investment in US Business

Must maintain active investment for at least 3 years
Your Estimated Score
0
out of 100 points
0 30 (Minimum) 100
Enter your information
Points Breakdown
Age 0
Education 0
English 0
Job Offer 0
Extraordinary 0
Investment 0
Remember

This is a simulated calculation based on a proposed system that was never enacted.

Current US immigration uses employment-based categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3), family sponsorship, diversity lottery, and other pathways—not a points system.

Your Detailed Analysis

0
Total Points
30
Minimum Required
-30
Difference
Analysis Pending
Complete the form to see your analysis.
Category Points
Age
Not selected
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Education
Not selected
0
English Proficiency
Not selected
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Job Offer / Salary
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Extraordinary Achievements
None
0
Investment
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Total Score
0

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The United States does NOT currently use a points-based immigration system. This calculator is based on the RAISE Act (Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment), a legislative proposal introduced in 2017 that was never enacted into law. Current US immigration operates through employment-based preference categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, etc.), family sponsorship, the diversity visa lottery, and other pathways. This tool is purely educational.
The RAISE Act was introduced in the US Senate in 2017 by Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and David Perdue (R-GA), with endorsement from President Trump. It did not receive a Senate vote. A similar proposal was defeated in 2018 on a 39-60 vote. The bill was reintroduced in 2019 but again failed to advance. While merit-based immigration reform continues to be discussed in policy circles, including in Project 2025 proposals and recent campaign platforms, no points-based system has been enacted.
Several countries use points-based systems: Canada uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for Express Entry with a maximum of 1,200 points—recent cutoffs have been around 525-534 points. Australia uses the SkillSelect Points Test with a minimum of 65 points, though competitive occupations typically need 85-90+ points. The United Kingdom implemented a points-based system in 2021 requiring 70 points (50 mandatory + 20 tradeable). Each system weighs factors differently.
The current US system uses several pathways: Employment-based (EB) categories include EB-1 (priority workers), EB-2 (advanced degrees), EB-3 (skilled workers), EB-4 (special immigrants), and EB-5 (investors). Family-based immigration allows citizens and permanent residents to sponsor relatives. The Diversity Visa Lottery provides 55,000 visas annually to underrepresented countries. There are also humanitarian categories (refugees, asylum) and temporary work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc.) that can lead to permanent residence.
Under the RAISE Act proposal, 30 points would be the minimum threshold to be eligible to apply for an immigrant visa. However, meeting the minimum wouldn't guarantee approval—applications would be ranked, and higher-scoring applicants would be selected first. For context, in Canada's Express Entry, meeting the 67-point FSW minimum still requires scoring above cutoff draws (recently ~525 CRS points). Similarly, if the US adopted this system, competitive pressure would likely push effective minimums much higher than 30.
Yes, merit-based immigration reform continues to be discussed. Project 2025 policy documents propose moving toward a points system and eliminating the Diversity Visa Lottery. The 2024 Republican platform expressed support for education and professional merit-based immigration. However, any such changes would require Congressional action. The Dignity Act of 2025, a bipartisan proposal, focuses on other reforms like raising per-country caps rather than implementing a points system. Immigration reform remains politically complex.

Disclaimer: This calculator is an educational tool based on the RAISE Act proposal, which was never enacted into law. The United States does NOT have a points-based immigration system. This tool does not provide immigration advice, assess your actual eligibility for any visa, or predict future policy changes. For guidance on current US immigration options, consult with a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative. Immigration law is complex and subject to change.