How do I show an officer I intend to leave when my permit expires, even though I also want to stay permanently?

Under dual intent, you do not need to hide or downplay a genuine wish to immigrate eventually; the goal is instead showing that you would respect the conditions of your temporary status and leave if your longer-term plans do not work out. The strongest evidence for this usually focuses on ties and circumstances that support a credible return, such as employment, property, or family remaining in your home country, along with a track record of complying with the conditions of any prior visas or permits.

It also helps to have a clear, honest explanation of what you would actually do if your permanent residence plans do not succeed — showing you have thought through that scenario, rather than presenting permanent residence as the only outcome you have prepared for, tends to be more persuasive than avoiding the topic altogether.

Because officers assess the whole picture rather than any single factor in isolation, focusing on building a consistent, well-documented story about compliance and ties, rather than trying to obscure your longer-term goals, is generally the more effective approach under dual intent.