Can I bring my secretary as an O-2?

The O visa is intended for professionals who possess extraordinary abilities in their fields, and the O-2 visa accompanies the O visa holder (usually an artist, athlete, scientist, etc.) to provide essential support during the performance of the specialized activity.

In general, the O-2 visa is granted to individuals whose work is indispensable for the O-1 professional to satisfactorily perform their duties and who demonstrate competence or experience that justifies their presence alongside the principal visa holder.

In the case of a secretary, she may be considered for the O-2 visa if she can prove that her functions are critical to the success of the O-1 visa holder”s work. This means it is not enough to be a regular administrative assistant; the O-2 candidate needs to demonstrate that her assistance is unique and indispensable, directly linked to the specialized activities of the O-1 professional.

For example, if the secretary plays a support role that requires specific knowledge, special techniques, or experience that makes her essential to the presentation or exhibition of the O-1”s work, then there is a possibility she qualifies for the O-2 visa.

It is important to highlight the need to present convincing and detailed documentation evidencing that such skills and functions are indeed indispensable to the O-1 professional”s work. The process can be complex, requiring demonstration of the direct relationship between the support activities and the exceptional performance of the O-1 visa holder.

It is always recommended to strictly follow United States immigration laws and guidelines and to seek information and guidance from official sources. Moreover, it is prudent to seek the assistance of professionals specialized in the area to avoid problems with fraud or misleading promises that guarantee easy or certain results.

This way, you ensure compliance with all legal requirements and increase the security of your process.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.