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I currently have a B1 visa for 2 years (I am Italian).

I'm not planning to move permanently to the U.S. but wouldn't mind joining the lottery for the diversity program.

B1 Visa is given under the assumptions of non-immigrant intents. Joining the diversity program would affect my future B1 renewals requests (If I'll ever need to go back again to the U.S. for work)?

phoog
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KingBOB
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2 Answers2

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It doesn't automatically affect it negatively, but:

If you are being interviewed for your Visa, you should be prepared to answer questions about the parallel green card lottery; basically, you need to convincingly explain your 'dual intent'; i.e. "you are trying to get the non-permanent visa and would afterwards leave the country as required; but at the same time you would gladly get a green card and immigrate".

See #10 on this government FAQ: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Diversity-Visa/DV-Instructions-Translations/DV-2017-Instructions-Translations/DV-2017%20Instructions%20and%20FAQs.pdf

There are many discussion about cross-effecting, but no official USCIS statement. Here is one example of a qualified opinion: https://www.quora.com/U-S-Immigration-Does-entering-the-Green-Card-Lottery-Diversity-Visa-worsen-your-chances-of-getting-an-American-visa-in-the-future

Aganju
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TL;DR: No, however read below:

I am unaware of any formal guidelines on the subject. I recollect that in previous versions of DS-160 (the form you file when applying for a B-1) there was a question similar to "have you ever applied for immigration benefits/intended to immigrate to the US?". New DS-160 Does not have this question.

There were multiple discussions on trackitt regarding the subject. The consensus was that application for a DV lottery does not constitute immigration intent. Reason is that somebody else might have submitted the application for you. There are known cases when applications were submitted en masse without applicant consent (Ukraine). Immigration intent starts with filing something immigration related which 1. required your signature/physical approval. 2. names you as a beneficiary E.g. I-140 (not I-130), I-485/ DS-260 and similar.

I know 4 people playing the lottery and having little trouble obtaining B-1 visa.

mzu
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