The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has published a final rule that will eliminate the current “duration of status” (D/S) policy for F and J nonimmigrants. The rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. We understand this is a significant transition for many of you and your families. In this webinar, we reviewed what we know about the final rule, discussed what it may mean for F and J students and scholars, and outlined how OISS can support you during this transition.
We invite you to listen to or view recent immigration attorney and OISS presentations on specific immigration topics. Please note that the documents and links to presentations below provide general information only and are not a substitute for individual legal advice. Because immigration policies are constantly changing you should always speak to an OISS adviser [1] before taking any action on the materials listed below.
Links below require Yale NetID credentials. If you have logged in and are still experiencing issues accessing any of the recordings below, please email alina.nevins@yale.edu [2].
OISS Town Hall Webinar: Elimination of Duration of Status
July 23, 2026
Presented by OISS
Recording > [3]
Know Your Rights When You Travel
April 28, 2026
Presented by OISS and Attorney Liz Goss of Goss Associates [5]
Recording > [6]
OISS organized this town hall webinar to address issues and considerations related to travel for visa holders, both domestic and international, in light of immigration changes and heighted scrutiny at the U.S. airports and ports of entry . Topics will include concerns around electronic device searches at the U.S. border as well as best practices for limiting digital footprint and maintaining proper digital hygiene. The OISS team will be joined by Attorney Liz Goss of Goss Associates [5] to help answer your questions.
Before You Go: Visa Renewal Essentials
April 23, 2026
Presented by Attorney Travis Feuerbacher of ZF Visa & Immigration [8] and OISS
Recording > [9]
The Office of International Students and Scholars hosted a town hall webinar to discuss key considerations for international students and scholars planning to renew their visas over the summer. Along with the OISS team, we were joined by Attorney Travis Feuerbacher from ZF Visa & Immigration. We walked through recent updates to visa processing, including expanded screening practices and evolving consular expectations. Topics included how to prepare a strong DS-160 application, common pitfalls and how to answer sensitive questions, and what to expect during visa interviews. Please note that this webinar contains information that is current as of 4/23/26, so because some of this information may change, be sure to check with your OISS adviser if you have any questions.
Visa Options for Medical Students and Trainees
March 2, 2026
Presented by Attorneys Adam Cohen and Meghan Moody of Siskind Susser Law Firm [11]
Recording > [12]
Attorneys Adam and Meghan discussed the current visa climate for immigrant physicians, including immigration options for those in the healthcare industry. Visa options for Registered Nurses will also be covered.
Changes to the H-1B lottery for 2026: Webinar with OISS & Partners
February 13, 2026
Presented by OISS and Attorney Mary Walsh, Partner at Iandoli Desai & Cronin P.C. [14]
Recording > [15]
Recent changes to how USCIS will conduct the H-1B lottery may impact Yale students seeking the employer sponsored visa status. OISS has invited attorney Mary Walsh of Iandoli Desai & Cronin P.C. to present an overview of the H-1B lottery cap, the new wage weighted H-1B lottery registration and selection process, lottery selection outcome predictions, and key deadlines that students will want to be aware of.
Work After Graduation: F-1 Optional Practical Training
February 4, 2026
Presented by OISS Advisers
Slides and recordings will be linked below as soon as they are available.
| Audience/Session | Link to Recording | Link to Slides | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing students | RECORDING > [17] | SLIDES > [18] | 2/3 |
| Yale College students | RECORDING > [19] | SLIDES > [20] | 2/4 |
| Architecture, Global Affairs, Divinity, Environment, Management, Public Health STUDENTS | RECORDING > [21] | SLIDES > [22] | 2/6 |
| GSAS Masters students | RECORDING > [23] | SLIDES > [24] | 2/11 |
| GSAS PhD Students | RECORDING > [25] | SLIDES > [26] | 2/12 |
| Law Students | RECORDING > [27] | SLIDES > [28] | 2/12 |
| Art, Drama, Music students | RECORDING > [29] | SLIDES > [30] | 2/12 |
Interested in working in the U.S. after graduation? You may be eligible to apply for F-1 Optional Practical Training, a work authorization based on your F-1 student visa. This session covers some of the basics of OPT and how to apply.
Two very important factors to know before attending are: 1) You do not need a job in order to apply for OPT and 2) You must be physically present in the US in order to apply for OPT.
Do you have questions about moving from F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) or J-1 Academic Training (AT) to H-1B status? The H-1B Lottery? Other non-immigrant options for working in the U.S. after OPT/AT? To explore these issues more and learn how the cap H-1B lottery works, join us for an immigration information session with Attorneys Aaron Blumberg [31] and Kimberly Grant [32] of Fragomen. If you are a degree-seeking student at Yale, graduating in May or August 2026, this session is for you! After this session, you will have the information you need to plan ahead and navigate your immigration after graduation and beyond.
Your OISS adviser will communicate with you on how to apply for F-1 OPT/J-1 AT in the early Spring 2026 semester, so stay tuned for upcoming OISS communications. This session will focus on how to stay and continue working in the United States AFTER your OPT/AT benefit ends.
Work Visa Options for Artists after F-1 OPT
December 1, 2025
Presented by Attorneys Amanda Gupta and Will Spitz from Covey Law [35]
Recording > [36]
Interested in how to work in the U.S. after your F-1 OPT period? Attend this virtual event where immigration attorneys Will Spitz and Amanda Gupta from Covey Law [35] will discuss the specific visa options available to artists, such as the O-1 visa. They will review how to qualify for these visas and what steps you can take now to help make a strong case.
Know Your Rights: Town Hall Webinar with OISS & Partners
November 17, 2025
Presented by Presented by OISS, Attorneys Dan Berger and Kerry E. Doyle, Partners at Green & Spiegel LLC [38]
Recording > [39]
In this webinar, OISS team, together with Attorneys Dan Berger and Kerry E. Doyle, Partners at Green & Spiegel LLC, discusses immigration topics concerning our community, such as advice on domestic and international travel during winter break, rights of international students or scholars at Yale, and appropriate response to requests from law enforcement in light of recent updates and changes in the U.S. immigration landscape.
Navigating Immigration: Entrepreneurship for Current Students
November 10, 2025
Presented by Attorneys Dan Berger and Andrew Rodgers, Partners at Green & Spiegel LLC [38]
Recording > [40]
International entrepreneurs face a number of hurdles when seeking to start a business in the United States. Attorney Dan Berger and his partner, Andrew Rodgers, Esq, Partner demystifies the immigration options available to international entrepreneurs, as well as provides insight into how international entrepreneurs should structure their companies to give themselves the best chance at a secure future in the United States.
OISS Town Hall Webinar: Updates on the Presidential Proclamation on H-1B Workers
October 1, 2025
Presented by OISS
Recording > [42]
In this webinar, the OISS team discussed the recent Presidential Proclamation on H-1B workers issued on September 19, 2025 [44].
The OISS team provided an overview of what we know so far and discussed the potential impacts this proclamation may have on our international community should it be enacted in its current form.
OISS Town Hall Webinar: Updates on Duration of Status Proposed Rule
September 10, 2025
Presented by OISS
Recording > [45]
In this town hall webinar, the OISS team discusses the recent notice issued by the Department of Homeland Security on August 28th regarding a proposed rule change to eliminate the “duration of status” (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants, as published in the Federal Register [47]. Please be advised that this is a proposed rule, and it will not become effective until the public comment period has concluded, DHS has reviewed the comments, and any necessary revisions have been made prior to publishing a final rule. While the exact timeline is uncertain, this process typically takes at least several months.
The OISS team will provides an overview of what we know so far and discusses the potential impacts this proposed rule may have on our international community should it be enacted in its current form.
Visiting Assistant in Research Information Session
January 23, 2025
Presented by OISS & GSAS
Recording > [48]
Please join the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the Office of International Students and Scholars and for an information session for administrators on Visiting Assistants in Research (VARs) [50] when you have international program participants. This session will focus on eligibility criteria for VARs, the overall application process for VARs, the OISS process for creating DS-2019s for VARs, and special considerations during the transition period.
Visas After Graduation
March 28, 2024
Presented by Attorney Suzanne Seltzer of The Seltzer Firm [51]
Recording > [52]
Attorney Seltzer discussed visa options after graduation including H-1B, O-1 and Trade Agreement visas. She also gave an overview of pathways to green card sponsorship. If you are a degree seeking student at Yale, graduating in May or August 2024, this session is for you!
Yale students planning to graduate in May 2024 should start applying for F-1 Optional Practical Training (or J-1 Academic Training) now. If you have not yet started this process you should do so immediately - please read the information here [54].
Visa Options for Medical Residents
March 19, 2024
Presented by Attorneys Greg Siskind and Adam Cohen of Siskind Susser Law Firm [11]
Recording > [55]
Attorneys Siskind and Cohen discussed the current visa climate for immigrant physicians, including legislative updates on immigration options for those in the healthcare industry. Visa options for Registered Nurses was also covered.
Expanding U.S. Based Employment Opportunities for International Students
April 20, 2023
Presented by Sherman Baldwin, the CEO of LCR Capital Partners [57], Michael Wehrli of LCR Wealth [58], and Christian Triantaphyllis [59], an industry-leading U.S.-based immigration attorney
This was an educational session on how the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program leads to permanent residency and can dramatically expand your U.S. based employment opportunities.
There is new U.S. legislation as of 2022 which enables students on F-1 visas in the U.S. to make an investment in an EB-5 project along with a concurrent filing for an Adjustment of Status to gain U.S. employment eligibility within months. Adjustment of Status provides the visa category to work in the U.S., while waiting for a new EB-5 visa designation and the flexibility to work anywhere, which is not the case with H-1B or F-1.