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FOR YEARS, millions of immigrant applicants have hoped they would be lucky enough to win the US green card lottery. Under reform being considered in Congress, they may soon be asking: “Am I skilled enough?”
By 2017, according to a proposed revamp of laws governing admission to the United States, permanent residency permits known as green cards could be doled out not on luck but “on merit,” via a points system that would put more qualified applicants at the front of the line.
Are you a computer scientist with a strong command of English, already living in the United States on a visa but whose employer is reluctant to sponsor you for permanent residency? The new system may work in your favour.
Nothing is set in stone yet, but an 844-page measure – the most comprehensive immigration reform in a generation – is working its way through the Senate, and members of the House say they, too, are hopeful a bill can be signed into law this year.
Ten criteria for immigrant applicants will be taken into account in the system, which has a theoretical maximum of 100 points.
Under the new system, a university degree will be worth five points, a master’s degree 10 and a doctorate 15.
Each year of work experience will provide an applicant from zero to three points, depending on the employment level, for a maximum of 20 points.
Are you a programmer, computer scientist, or software developer? 10 points. If your job is in an occupation related to your degree: 8-10 points. A TOEFL English language proficiency score of 80 or more? Chalk up another 10. Contractors who employ at least two people: 10 points.
Clearly, skills and experience count under the proposed system – but so does youth. Those age 25 and under will receive eight points; 25-32 year old are awarded six points; and age 33-37 years, four. Those age 38 or above receive no bonus.
A sibling of a US citizen earns 10 points, as does the married child, 31 or older, of a US citizen.
Community service will help. Those who can prove their “civic involvement” will be allocated five points.
A final clause gives five points to those from countries with low immigration, which rules out Mexicans, Chinese and Indians.
Unlike other countries that have adopted the points scheme, including Britain and Canada, the exact bar for immigration admission under the proposed US system remains a mystery: other factors are also at play. But if your score is among the top 60,000, you will gain a green card.
Another block of 60,000 will also be awarded permanent residency based on criteria that favor lower-skilled labor such as construction.
The merit system will come into force from October 2017, provided that the immigration reform law passes President Barack Obama’s desk this summer. Over the years, the number of green cards could rise to 250,000.
“For many at a bachelor level,” or for someone whose employer doesn’t want to serve as a sponsor, “you’re in a bind,” immigration attorney Gregory Siskind told AFP.
“So the points system will give you an alternative to relying on your employer to get a green card,” he added. “For a lot of people, that’s going to mean freedom.”
Until 2013, a lottery offered 55,000 visas per year. But Republican lawmakers have sought to end the programme, which makes no distinction between skilled and unskilled immigrants.
In addition to the points system, the Senate proposal provides quota-free green cards for extraordinarily qualified researchers, scientists and graduates of US universities.
“I don’t think that the long waits that we’ve had for a while are going to be a problem for a couple of years.”
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Good to see the US adopting this type of system, the lottery was a bit of a joke in fairness, just so random and seemed like a lazy/handy way of doing things for them. Seems really tough to immigrate into the US nowadays.
That’s true, I was fortunate enough to win a green card through the lottery system…but it was completely random, you could be a computer scientist from Bogota or a sheep herder from Armenia, it made no sense really. This seems like a much better system.
Even when you got your random green card in the lottery you still had to attend the Embassy for an interview so possibly a lot of weeding out was done then?
That’s true, but all you required was a job offer in official headed paper from a company and that was it…easy to make one up if you had to!
Not necessary if you have degree or/and masters in an employable profession. Subtle weeding out.
At the time I didn’t have a degree and went with my letter of an offer of employment which was acceptable. If I was bullshitting I would have got away with it, how I know was because it was my friends company and there was no check.
I am guessing that may have a while go? Perhaps they check more throughly now?
It was 2001. Maybe they do. Border Control has stiffened considerably since 2005…so maybe you’re right. I moved home in 2006.
Just as a matter of interest, if you don’t mind me asking. Just wondering why you decided to move back home. Don’t answer if you dont want I know it’s a personal question.
Ha! Youre close enough Sean!!!
I find I’m asking myself that question a lot lately McBab….I spent a few years there and decided to move back, family I suppose had a bit to do with it. I had a great time there, really lived it. If you are willing to work in the States, you will get on fine. The working man is rewarded. If you want to sit on your hole, you don’t eat, simple as. A policy they could do with having a look at here. To be honest, I would move back in the morn, but my wife would not… Added to a mortgage, young kids etc here its just not an option unfortunately….
Thanks for the reply Jimmy. So refreshing to have a civilised conversation on this site!
No worries McBab
Seems the age category doesn’t make sense It is a kind of discrimination
I agree. Not sure why this ism is ok and gender and race isms are deemed unacceptable.
Err.. Because they prefer to let in young people? I’d get no points for age myself but get it and have no problem with it.
Would it be ok to let in just white people? Or just men?
It makes perfect sense for them too give preference to younger people. Younger people will be in the work force for longer, thus generating taxes and revenue for the government longer.
It’s logical to limit immigration to those who can be more productive and and bring value to the country, rather than become a burden. It is a transaction, not a gift: we let you in, you came and work hard and (possibly, at least initially) cheap, we all benefit in the end.
Above all though, it is their country, their rules. They don’t have to adhere to our political correctness, as much as we might feel righteous about our opinion on it.
It’s called independence.
It’s really sad to see some of us calling African Shit holes …….. Some of us are here legally just for studies and we are benefiting this country by paying huge school fees
Am alway heartbroken when people think that all Africans are Asylum seekers or refugees :-( and i remember when i first arrived in Ireland and stayed for 3 months someone whom i don’t know sent me a text saying “You are fraudulent Asylum Seeker Scamming our country …. Go back to Africa”
it’s really sad.
Unfortuntely ISSA a lot of africans are absolutely bleeding this country for what its worth. Its a national disgrace and no one has the balls to to stand up to it for fear of being targeted as being racist/bigot etc. I dont believe anyone has a problem with genuine students and workers.
I do agree with you Jason …… That some of Africans have damaged our image thurs making everyone think that all African are here to Abuse the system.
Personally am ashamed to be black coz av experienced hard times since i came here for my studies with other people brandishing me names lol.
Not all africans are out to scam this country or take it for a ride. I have the pleasure of knowing some who are really successful here.
But as Jason pointed out there is alot more scamming than actually been good citizens.
Until that trend reverses the African people who are not out to scam etc are going to be labeled with the same tag.
I do get your point …… But am just puzzled on how those people manage to come in Ireland and abuse the system lol.
I remember when i was applying for my Irish student Visa back home in Kenya i really passed through various difficulty process to get my Visa and i had to produce loads and loads of documents and went through serious vetting and on top of that i was required to do an International English proficiency test to prove that i can speak English lol
Does it mean that some countries get their visas so easily???? coz some are here and ain’t speaking English and there are the one tarnishing our name here
Issa . Quite a few africans come in as refugees depending on the country in Africa.
Lock up the illegals.
+1
Nope, just send em home
about time!
Well this is good news for the irish a nation of hard working people when we go to other country’s we dont go their to sponge of that said country we work hard integrate into their society’s spend our money their while still retaining out culture and having the “craic”
Will this cover the ones this October?
have your say