There is also a third category of visas known as “dual intent” visas. While these are technically nonimmigrant visas, they nonetheless allow the visa holder to apply for lawful permanent residency. H1B, L, O, P, K, and V visas are all dual intent visas.
While dual intent visas allow nonimmigrant visa holders to apply for lawful permanent residency, there is no guarantee that U.S. Customs and Immigration Services will grant such residency. The burden of proof applicants must meet is much higher for lawful permanent resident applications than for a nonimmigrant visa. Accordingly, an applicant may be accepted when applying for a nonimmigrant visa in Naperville but rejected when he or she tries to apply for lawful permanent residency—even when he or she does so on the same legal basis.