(a) (1) Accompanying or accompanied by means not only an alien in the physical company of a principal alien but also an alien who is issued an immigrant visa within 6 months of:
(i) The date of issuance of a visa to the principal alien;
(ii) The date of adjustment of status in the United States of the principal alien; or
(iii) 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.
(2) An “accompanying” relative may not precede the principal alien to the United States.