Senators in the American Congress are proposing a new visa system based on merit, whereby applicants earn points for their employment background, education and skills.

The latest scheme is designed to make it easier for the best candidates to work in the USA and proponents of the plan contend that it is in the best interests of the country.

Should the system be introduced, it would assign the highest merit to candidates with a high level of English and good schooling, as well as additional points for training in mathematics, technology and science, employer endorsement and any previous work in the USA.

The merit points plan would complement a revamped temporary worker programme, but the Diversity Lottery Programme is likely to be phased out, according to reports.

A system designed to allow an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants to find legal work in the USA is also in the pipeline.

Looking to conclude the protracted Congress debate on visas, majority leader Harry Reid urged his counterparts to help fix “America’s broken immigration system in a tough, fair and practical way”.

“Our immigration system should make us safer while recognising the enormous contributions that immigrants make to our nation,” he said.

Contributed by J.Bevan