There is the old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and the same is true (well, the village part, not the child part) for many artists and athletes working in the US on an O-1 visa. Indeed, behind many leading photographers, directors, athletes, actors, make-up artists, and other O-1 holders here in the US, there is often an individual or team of qualified, experienced, and essential support personnel in O-2 status who have worked extensively with the O-1 beneficiary over the years and who ensure every project runs smoothly.

Who can use the O-2?
The O-2 classification is for essential support personnel of an O-1 artist or athlete. A photographer’s assistant or retoucher, members of a graphic design team, members of a film crew, actors, or other such personnel, may qualify for the O-2 visa. There is no enumerated list of qualified positions. Moreover, more than one support personnel member can apply for O-2 classification with the same O-1.