Jordan Butler, an attorney at Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin, recently obtained approval for an O-1 visa renewal on behalf of Russian-born tennis pro, Yulia Putintseva, for the full renewal period of three years. 

O-1 non-immigrant visas are issued to nationally and internationally renowned applicants with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or sports, or with extraordinary achievements in the motion picture or television industries. The holder of an O-1 visa is permitted to reside in the United States, participate in approved professional events, and receive compensation from an employer during the validity period. 

Among other criteria, O-1 visa renewals require a showing that the beneficiary athlete has maintained his or her elite status at the top of the sport throughout the initial validity period. 

In the shortened, Covid-restricted 2020 professional tennis season, Putintseva reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open in New York in September, and went on to finish the season ranked No. 28 in the world, a career-high. 

During the initial visa period, Putintseva also made the quarterfinals at the French Open in 2018, and captured a WTA singles title.

“I am ecstatic that my O-1 visa status has been renewed,” said Putintseva, who trains in Miami in between tournaments. “The ability to freely compete and reside in the United States while playing on tour is invaluable to the success of my career.”