Dual Intent

The legal theory, only applicable to certain nonimmigrant visas (primarily the H-1B and the L-1), that you can simultaneously want to remain temporarily in the US in nonimmigrant visa status while at the same time eventually wanting to remain in the US as a permanent resident. You must be on a dual intent visa to remain in the US and work while a permanent residence process is ongoing. For this reason, a permanent residence process should not be started while the individual for whom the case is filed remains in TN or F-1 status - neither of these visas are dual intent.