Definition
The Merito Score is a visual readiness diagnostic, not a prediction of USCIS's decision. Its outer ring reflects how well a case's evidence currently covers the regulatory criteria for its chosen pathway; its inner ring reflects the strength of the case's overall narrative under a final-merits-style read. Merito never shows an approval percentage or any certainty language alongside the Score — every Score view carries the standard disclaimer band.
Context
A higher Score means the case's documented evidence is more complete and more consistent, not that approval is more likely in any statistical sense. The two rings are deliberately separate so a petitioner can see whether a gap is about missing evidence (outer ring) or about how persuasively the existing evidence reads as a whole (inner ring).
Key points
- Free tool, the first thing most visitors run.
- Outer ring = criteria coverage; inner ring = final-merits-style strength.
- Never expressed as, or alongside, a probability of approval.
Common misconception
The Merito Score is not a probability of USCIS approval — Merito never publishes or implies one.
Related terms
Go further
Merito is not a law firm and does not offer legal advice or predict approval odds. This is a readiness review to help you and your attorney strengthen your case.