August 20, 2026
Over the past year, we have asked you to share your experiences with our walk-in and virtual drop-in advising services through a post-visit survey, and many of you have taken the time to respond. Thank you — your feedback directly shaped the change we are announcing today.
One thing came through clearly in what you told us: when you were able to get your issue fully resolved during a visit, rather than being redirected to your own adviser to follow up later, the experience was significantly better. We heard from you, and we're making a change to deliver more of that experience, more consistently.
Starting Wednesday, September 9: In-Person Office Hours replace general walk-in advising.
In an immigration landscape that continues to grow more complex, we want every visit to OISS to connect you with the adviser who already knows your program, your history, and your specific case, not just whoever happens to be available that day. This change is designed to do exactly that. We know that in the current environment, timely and informed access to your adviser matters more than ever, which is why we are making this change now.
What's changing:
- Starting September 9, in-person visits will now connect you with your designated OISS adviser, replacing the previous general walk-in system where any available adviser could see any student or scholar.
- In its place, each OISS adviser will now hold In-Person Office Hours specifically for the students and scholars in their own caseload. Think of it as an expansion of our existing virtual office hours (formerly known as MAC Hours), now also offered in person.
- To be seen in person, you'll need to visit only during your own designated adviser's scheduled In-Person Office Hours, rather than dropping in on a general walk-in basis.
What's staying the same:
Your adviser remains just as reachable as before, through:
- Scheduling an individual appointment
- Joining their Virtual Office Hours (formally MAC Hours)
And if you have an urgent or time-sensitive question, that access isn't changing either. Our General Virtual Drop-In Hours continue as before — an OISS adviser is on call four days a week to answer urgent questions, regardless of who your designated adviser is or whether they're available that day.
Who is my designated OISS Adviser?
If you are not sure who your OISS Adviser is, you can find them on this page of our website.
Why we're making this change:
Our goal is simple: make sure you get accurate, informed guidance from the adviser who is already trained on the nuances of your program and academic goals—the person best equipped to answer your question correctly the first time.
We know any change to a service you rely on takes some adjustment, and we appreciate your patience as we roll this out. You can find your designated adviser and their In-Person Office Hours schedule here.
| Service | Who You Will See | Format | How You Get In Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Person Office Hours | Your designated OISS adviser | In-person | Walk in → wait to be seen |
| Virtual Office Hours | Your designated OISS adviser | Online | Submit form → join queue |
| General Virtual Drop-In Hours | Any available OISS adviser | Online | Submit form → join queue |
As always, thank you for trusting us with your questions and your journey at Yale.
The OISS Team
