VisaPalO-3 Spouse and Children of O-1/O-2
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 who come with, or later join, an O-1 or O-2 worker.
Last verified: 2026-09-25
Requirements
- Proof of marriage or a parent-child relationship to the O-1 or O-2 worker.
- The principal must hold, or be getting, O-1 or O-2 status.
- Children must be unmarried and under 21.
- Inside the U.S., extensions and changes use Form I-539.
How long you can stay
Same period and limits as the O-1 or O-2 principal.
Timeline
Abroad, family members usually apply in Seoul with or after the principal. Waits were under half a month as of Sep 17, 2026. Inside the U.S., Form I-539 can take much longer; check current processing times.
Government fees
| Fee | Amount | Who usually pays |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee (O visa) Per person, paid for the interview at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. For Koreans: no reciprocity issuance fee. | $205 | Applicant |
| Spouse/child extension or change to O-3 (Form I-539) $470 on paper, $420 online. Needed only for family members inside the U.S. | $470 | Applicant |
Spouse & children
O-3 is itself the dependent status for O-1 and O-2 families.
Work
O-3 holders can't work. They may study full-time or part-time. Working would need a separate status of their own.
Path to a green card
If the O-1 worker later gets an employment-based green card, the spouse and unmarried children under 21 are usually included. Ask a lawyer about timing.
Note for Korean applicants
For Koreans, O-3 visas are issued with no reciprocity fee, multiple entries, and can't run past the principal's visa. Apply at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.
Key documents
- Marriage certificate or birth certificates, with English translations
- Copy of the principal's I-797 approval and visa or I-94
- Valid passport for each family member
- School enrollment papers, if studying
Common pitfalls
- Working in O-3 status isn't allowed.
- O-3 stay ends when the principal's O status ends.
- When the principal extends, file I-539 for the family too.
- A child turning 21 can no longer hold O-3.
Rules in flux
DHS proposes deleting the up-to-60-day grace period in 8 CFR 214.1(l)(2). If finalized, workers would be expected to leave right after their job ends, unless another status applies. It is a proposal only. Today the current rule still applies: up to 60 days, or until your I-94 ends if sooner.
Official sources
- O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement — USCIS
- 8 CFR 214.2 — Special requirements for admission, extension, and maintenance of status (current text; includes the postponed F/J rule) — eCFR
- Fee Schedule (Form G-1055), edition 09/09/26 — USCIS
- 22 CFR 22.1 — Schedule of fees for consular services — eCFR
- U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country — South Korea — U.S. Department of State
- Check Case Processing Times — USCIS
- Global Visa Wait Times (updated 17-SEP-2026) — U.S. Department of State
General information, not legal advice. Rules change often. Check the official source and talk to a licensed immigration attorney before you act.