United States Government Glossary of Interagency and Associated Terms/accompanying, accompanied

by Federal Government of the United States

accompanying, accompanied - a. an alien who is issued an immigrant visa within 6 months of - (1) The date of issuance of a visa to the principal alien; (2) The date of adjustment of status in the United States of the principal alien; or (3) The date on which the principal alien personally appears and registers before a consular officer abroad to confer alternate foreign state chargeability or immigrant status upon a spouse or child. b. An accompanying relative may not precede the principle alien to the United States.

(SOURCE - DOS/ USAID, FAM, 9 FAM 102.3-1 (U))