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What is a Dual Intent Visa?
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At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, we strive to simplify complex immigration processes for our clients. One of the most significant nuances in U.S. immigration law is the concept of the Dual Intent Visa. For individuals seeking entry to the United States with the potential goal of transitioning to permanent resident status, these visas offer an invaluable pathway.
What Is a Dual Intent Visa?
A dual intent visa allows a foreign national to enter the United States as a nonimmigrant (temporary visitor) while maintaining the legal option to pursue immigrant (permanent resident) status during their stay. This distinction is vital as most U.S. visa categories, known as “single intent visas,” strictly require the applicant to prove they have no intention of staying in the United States permanently. Â
Dual intent eliminates this hurdle for eligible individuals, enabling them to simultaneously meet temporary requirements while exploring permanent residency options.
Key Examples and Visa Categories
Common types of dual intent visas include:
- H-1B Visa (temporary workers in specialty occupations)Â Â
- L-1 Visa (intra-company transfers for executives or individuals with specialized knowledge)Â Â
- K-1 Visa (fiancĂ©(e) visas for those marrying U.S. citizens) Â
- O-1 Visa (individuals with extraordinary ability in fields like arts or sciences)Â Â
- R-1 Visa (religious workers)Â Â
Each of these visas caters to specific situations, but they all share the crucial dual intent flexibility. Â
For instance, an H-1B visa holder may enter the U.S. to work in a specialized field for a few years. If their employer later offers to sponsor them for a green card, this transition will not conflict with their initial nonimmigrant intent. This streamlined option allows ambitious professionals to advance their careers without returning to their country of origin to reapply for immigrant status.
Why Choose a Dual Intent Visa?
Dual intent visas are particularly beneficial for individuals who want to explore both career and settlement prospects in the U.S. By applying for a visa that accommodates dual intent, applicants avoid the legal barriers imposed by single-intent categories that demand an exclusive commitment to leaving the U.S. upon the visa’s expiry. Â
This flexibility reduces uncertainties for applicants and their families, making dual intent visas a practical choice for foreign nationals with long-term aspirations. For example, a K-1 visa holder planning to marry a U.S. citizen and adjust their immigration status can do so without jeopardizing their existing legal standing.
Legal Considerations to Keep in Mind
At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, we strongly recommend seeking personalized legal counsel before applying. For example, individuals on single-intent visas who later decide to pursue permanent residency may face significant procedural hurdles, including the need to leave the country for consular processing. Having a knowledgeable attorney can help you assess your best options and avoid unnecessary delays or complications.
Why Trust Us?
With over four decades of experience, Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC has guided thousands of clients through various immigration challenges. Our team understands the intricacies of dual intent visas and is dedicated to providing clear, actionable advice tailored to your unique circumstances. Â
Schedule a consultation today, and let us help you take the next step toward achieving your American dream.
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I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Burton for his outstanding legal assistance in my immigration case, from my first consultation he heard me patiently demonstrating exceptional professionalism, expertise, and a genuine commitment to my case. Immigration process can be overwhelming and stressful, but he and his team provided clear guidance every step of the way, always answering my questions promptly and reassuring me with their deep expertise. Thanks to their…
I had an outstanding experience working with Brittni Rivera. From our very first consultation, she demonstrated deep expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for my case. Navigating immigration processes can be incredibly stressful, but Brittni made the entire journey much more manageable and transparent. She were always responsive to my questions, provided clear guidance at every step, and never made me feel like just another case. Thanks to her hard work…
Highly recommend this firm. I had the pleasure of working with Lauren McClure and she is absolutely the best. She was very helpful and walked me through every step of the process, she is patient and she got the job done. I am very grateful with her and her team for helping me with the process of my case. Thank you so much.
I have worked with Kevin Raica for my VAWA application. Let me tell you he has been AMAZING. Unlike other lawyers Kevin has always went above and beyond for me. Kevin is not in it for the money he is in it to HELP people and make a difference. He has walked me through the entire process and always answers any questions I have no matter what. This law firm…
The attorney is an excellent person and very professional. I am very grateful to the entire team—they are attentive to everything, and I consider her the best in all of the U.S. Thank you once again for everything.
Mr. Burton helped my mother with her case. He was always polite, clear, and always answered my questions in a professional and diligent manner. Our case ran smoothly, and we never ran into any issues. I also want to greatly thank the paralegal that also managed my case, Stephanie Nunez, she was always willing and very helpful with my mother, a genuinely good person. I will forever recommend Justin and…
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Justin Burton! He is an outstanding specialist in his field and an attorney who quite literally changed our family’s life. Mr. Burton demonstrated a highly professional approach and exceptional dedication to our case. He stands out for his extensive knowledge of immigration law and, beyond that, is a person of great integrity. I can wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Justin Burton and…
I would like to start this review with a big thank you for the immigration lawyer, Nicole Provax, who has done a successful and amazing work on my dad’s case! She was dedicated in walking us through the whole process, keeping excellent communication with us, and despite the little hurdles that came up along the way, she was able to get the case to continue progressing! I’m forever grateful of…
I had the pleasure of having Brittni Rivera as our attorney working on our immigration green card process for my Husband and I .... from beginning to the end.. the best most professional guidance you could ask for. I highly recommend her ... and Donald Rogers too.. thanks again for all your help.
We had the pleasure of having Justin Burton on my parents case. From the moment we reached out, his staff was incredibly welcoming and took the time to really listen to our concerns. We never felt rushed or like just another case, Justin made sure we understood every step of the process and answered all our questions with patience and clarity. What really impressed us was how Justin and staff…
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