Does the L-1 prevent me from applying for the DV Lottery (Diversity Visa Lottery)?

No. Holding or being on an L-1 visa does not prevent you from entering the DV Lottery (Diversity Visa Lottery), the visa lottery open to nationals of eligible countries who meet certain education or work experience requirements.

One helpful aspect is that the L-1 allows dual intent: the visa holder can be temporarily in the United States on a work visa while at the same time pursuing a path to permanent residence, without that alone jeopardizing current status.

• Being on an L-1 does not disqualify you from entering the lottery.
• Dual intent allows you to combine a temporary visa with green card plans.
• If selected, the next step is adjustment of status or the consular process.

In this process, your visa history and intentions may be reviewed, so complete and consistent information is essential. Since every case is unique, it is worth confirming the current rules with USCIS or an immigration specialist before taking action.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.