The 0 visa is one of the categories of visas that allow only people with extraordinary abilities to come into the US to work. The 0 category visa is made up of three types, they include; 0-1, 0-2 and 0-3 Visa.
However, for the purpose of this article, the 0-3 visa will be properly analysed, including the details of eligibility requirements. The 0-3 visa is designed to allow the relative, spouse or child of the 0-1 and 0-2 visa holders to come into the US.
Most people who leave for the US to work, using an 0-1 or 0-2 visa usually have family members who depend on them, their spouse or children. They are also expected to stay in the US for a minimum of 3 years.
Many of them will wish to go along with their relatives, this is why the US embassy and institutions made the 0-3 visa available to enable the 0-1 or 0-2 visa holders to go along with their family members, spouse or children.
People who go to the U.S to work with an O-1 or an O-2 visa will be staying there for a minimum of 3 years. Many of them have families, spouses and children that they will be apart from during that period. That is why the U.S institutions created the O-3 visa, which allows the families of O-1 and O-2 visa holders to come to the U.S and stay with them.
Although provision has been made for family members of the 0-1 or 0-2 visa holders, it is not every family member that is qualified to travel with them. Only the spouse and unmarried child(ren) are permitted and are qualified for the 0-3 visa status. Holder’s parents or very close relatives are not permitted by US institutions.
These 0-3 visa holders and how long they’ll stay in the US is usually tied to the 0-1 or 0-2 visa holders, depending on who is their principal. They are allowed to go to school, either full time or part-time, they are allowed to partly live freely but are not allowed to work.
If an 0-3 visa holder gets a job, it is considered illegal, and if found working, both the 0-3 visa holder and their principal (0-1 or 0-2 visa holders) are at risk of deportation and may not be allowed to visit the US for a long time. The 0-3 visa holders cannot also get a Social Security Number (SSN).
However, as earlier stated above that they can live a normal life, travel in and out of the U.S as much as they want, have a bank account, or even get a driver’s license. This 0-3 visa holder cannot apply for permanent visas without the principal person applying too. The duration of their stay is tied to the principal person which could be either 0-1 or 0-2.
Requirements for the 0-3 visa
An 0-3 visa applicant needs to have a few things to enable them to be eligible for the visa. These requirements include;
- The applicant must have an approved 0-1 or 0-2 visa holder.
- The 0-3 applicant must be a valid spouse, unmarried child or parent to the principal who is either a 0-1 or 0-2 visa holder. Note that the unmarried child should be less than 21 years old.
- Proof of Relationship as a spouse, unmarried child or parent to the principal person who is either a 0-1 or 0-2 visa holder. This proof can either be a document or otherwise.
How to apply for the 0-3 visa
Applying for the 0-3 visa is quite similar to that of the 0-1 and 0-2 visa, except for a difference in documents. However, the applicant can apply alongside their principal who is either an 0-1 or 0-2 visa holder.
But in a case where the 0-3 applicants do not apply together with their principal, they’d have to wait until the U.S Embassy approves their principal visa before they can proceed with their 0-3 visa application process.
Form DS-160
Form DS-160 is an online non-immigrant form, it is an application form that all non-immigrant who are applicants has to fill to proceed with their application process. The applicants have to fill in their personal details and information alongside the reason why they are visiting the US.
After filling in the necessary information demanded in the form, the applicant can now proceed to submit the form then a confirmation page and code will be generated for you. This should be printed and should always be with the applicant in a file as a document.
Visa Fees
This is the second step to be taken by the applicant. The 0-3 visa fee costs 190 dollars and it is important to pay this fee as the receipt will be needed later. In addition to the visa application fee, the applicant will pay the other fees which might come up, and this will depend on the applicant’s home of residence and its relationship with the US.
This fee is also called the issuance fee, the amount also depends on the country of residence. For every payment made, there must be a receipt that will be attached to the document file.
Schedule interview
All applicants who are within the age range of 14 to 79 years old and are applying for a US visa are expected to go through the interview process. This interview must have been scheduled by you and it is done at the US Embassy.
It is important to schedule your interviews early enough to avoid delays since there’d be a high workload at the US Embassy. In case the applicant is applying with their principal visa holder, then such applicant can schedule the interview together with the principal.
Otherwise, it is important to schedule yourself after which you’ll get an interview confirmation letter which will be one of the things to go along with while going for the interview.
Arrange documents in a file
When going for the interview, it is imperative to have your documents arranged. These documents give the US embassy reason why they should approve the 0-3 visa. These documents include:
- A valid passport
- A photograph that follows the US Visa photograph requirements.
- The confirmation page was gotten from the Form DS-160
- Receipts that proves that all the fees have been paid
- The confirmation letter for interview after schedule.
- The 0-1 or 0-2 principal Form 1-797
- The principal copy of the passport
- The principal copy of the visa
- Proof that you and your principal, (who is either the 0-1 or 0-2) are related.
- If you and your principal are married, then there should be a marriage certificate.
- For a child, you should come along with your birth certificate.
Attend the interview
The is the last step to determine if your visa application will be approved. At this stage, you’ll get to be interviewed by the US embassy where you applied.
You’ll be asked questions regarding your background, the purpose of going to the US, education, the relationship between you and your principal who is either the 0-1 or 0-2 visa holder. At this stage, the interviewer will also like to know if you’ll return home after your visa expires.
