Can I bring personal assistants with an O-1?

You can bring a personal assistant with the O-1, but it depends on the role they perform. The deciding factor is not the personal relationship, but whether their work is an essential part of the activity that justified the grant of your visa.

When the assistant performs a function integral and supportive of the visa holder’s work, they may qualify for the O-2, a category created specifically for the essential support personnel of an O-1 professional. The idea is that their presence directly complements the primary activity.

• If the function is intrinsic to the preparation, execution, or technical support of the activity, there is a basis for the O-2.
• If the assistant handles only personal or administrative tasks, that does not support an O-2 petition.

That is why it is worth documenting in detail how the assistant’s role connects to your work. Since the analysis is done on a case-by-case basis, confirm the updated requirements with USCIS or evaluate the situation with a specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.