Just like many other kinds of visas, certain dependents of O-1 status holders may travel to the United States with them on an O-3 visa. These nonimmigrants have the same duration of stay as the primary O-1 status holder. Moreover, O-1 holder may bring an assistant or assistants to support their work with a distinctive visa category, O-2.

O-3 Status

Any spouse or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany an O-1 or O-2 status holder to the United States may be eligible to apply for an O-3 nonimmigrant visa. They are subject to the same period and limitations as the primary O-1 or O-2 alien. These nonimmigrants are not allowed to accept employment unless they have been granted an Employment Authorization Document (for more information on EADs, please click here).

If the spouse or child is already in the United States on another nonimmigrant classification, they may file a separate change of status application in order to accompany their O-1 or O-2 alien.

O-2 Status

This non-immigrant status is available to individuals who areessential to and coming solely to assist in performance of an O-1A (athlete), O-1B (artist), orO-1B (MPTV) beneficiary.

The O-2 beneficiary must be an integral part of the actual performance or event and possess critical skills and experience with the O-1 that are not of a general nature and that U.S. workers do not possess.

If the O-2 beneficiary is accompanying an O-1B (MPTV) beneficiary, he or she should have such critical skills and experience due to a pre-existing or long-standing working relationship with the O-1 beneficiary.In the case of a specific motion picture or television production, evidence that significant production has taken place outside the United States and will take place inside the United States, and that the continuing participation of the O-2 beneficiary is essential to the successful completion of the production.

Up to 25 O-2 accompanying beneficiaries may be included on a petition if they are assisting the same O-1 beneficiary for the same events or performances, during the same period of time, and in the same location.

The documentation for an O-2 petition following the requirement of O-1 petition in behalf of the O-1 beneficiary for whom the O-2 beneficiaries are accompanying.

(Updated 08/23/2025)

For more information on the O-1 visa, please click one of the following links:

• O-1 Visa
• Process for Obtaining O-1 Status
• Requirements for Obtaining an O-1 Status
• How to Obtain your O-1 Visa
• Assistant and Dependents of O-1 Status Holders
• Duration and Extension of O-1 Status
• Change of Status from O-1 Status
• In Depth O-1 Case Analysis: From O-1 Status to Green Card
• Why O-1 and Not H-1B?
• Services Z&A Provides
• Attorney and Filing fees
• O-1 Visa FAQs