Comment by giobox

Back when I was working on an L1, I continually lobbied my employer to apply for an H1B for me to give me more options in the event of losing a job, or even just the ability to change employer at all really. This is one of the most significant downsides of the L1 visa IMO, the options are comparatively limited/difficult if you do lose your job. Its biggest plus over the H1 is of course no lottery though, which is why employers that can use the L1 like it etc.

As I understand it, your employer can apply for the H1B lottery every year for you while still on the L1. Some companies will do this, eventually I did get the H1B I wanted back then. My colleagues on L1 all did the same thing too.