ISRC Webinars
Listen to our webinars and gain new insights and resources on navigating the latest developments for international students and scholars.
Rough Seas: Navigating Challenging Times for Research Professionals in the U.S.
In this webinar with the National Postdoctoral Association's International Committee, ISRC's Robin and immigration attorney Adam explain how recent U.S. immigration policy is affecting international students, postdocs, and scholars. They cover the weighted H-1B lottery, the court fights over the H-1B fees and the duration-of-status rule, proposed prevailing wage and OPT fee rules, travel bans, and growing visa delays and denials. They also highlight pathways that remain open, including the J-1 STEM initiative, cap-exempt H-1Bs, and strong O-1 approval rates. For free answers from immigration attorneys within one day, visit the ISRC help desk and subscribe to our newsletter.
The D/S Injunction: What It Means and What Comes Next
Immigration attorneys and ISSS leaders discuss the federal court order that paused the DHS final rule ending duration of status, what it means for ISSS offices now, and what to watch next.
Navigating the U.S. D-S rule- How agents & educators can advise students in a new regulatory era
The elimination of Duration of Status (D/S) for US international students changes how education agents guide applicants right from the start of the process. Join ICEF and representatives from the International Student Resource Center for a session that assists student advisors working with US-bound students this year. This session is for agency-based counsellors as well as advisors within US institutions. We’ll look past the legal jargon to answer key operational questions: How can US institutions equip their global agent networks with clear counseling toolkits? What critical advice must counselors give applicants regarding course selection, program duration, and academic progression? And how will the new rule affect both students beginning their studies this year as well as continuing students?
Advocating for Your ISSS Office Under the New Duration of Status Rule
This webinar covers best practice office and advisor responses to the finalization of the "Loss of D/S Rule". ISRC joins Homebase and other presenters on how to build the case for your office, who to talk to on campus, how to use the government's own data as evidence, and how to lead a team through a disruptive regulatory change.
Preparing your Campus for Fall 2026: Key Policy and Legal Developments Impacting Intl. Students
The Presidents’ Alliance, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and International Student Resource Center (ISRC) hosted a webinar Key Policy and Legal Developments Impacting International Students.
Our expert speakers provided an analysis of the final D/S rule and discussed its implications for international students, scholars, and higher education institutions. They also placed the rule within the broader policy landscape affecting higher education, including recent developments related to visa processing, international student enrollment trends, Optional Practical Training (OPT), and H-1B visas.
Career Development for International Students; Creative Solutions to Challenging Regulations
Join us for an overview of the political and regulatory climate facing international students in the U.S., with a review of some useful strategies to maximize career advising support for this population.
From Campus to Career: US Job Search Strategies for International Students
This session, co-presented by career consultant Noel Paul and ISRC Director Robin Catmur-Smith, guides international students through the US job search landscape, covering employment authorization options and considering the current regulatory environment, including USCIS processing delays, rising visa denial rates, and ongoing uncertainty around OPT and the Duration of Status rule. Noel rounds out the session with his "Rise Up" framework, offering a Gold Medal mindset and RISE methodology to help students globalize their job search strategy. The session will close with a Q&A period.
ISRC/NAFSA Region XII The End of Duration of Status: Preparing Your J Scholar Advisors
There have been several webinars offered on the pending "Loss of D/S" Rule, but none have focused on the impacts to J-1 Exchange Visitor scholars, and the advisors who support them. This joint presentation between the International Student Resource Center and NAFSA Region XII examines specific provisions of the rule that will most affect scholars and scholar advisors, and brainstorm ways to offer proactive support.
Exploring Entrepreneurial Opportunities for International Students
This timely webinar, hosted by Interstride and the International Student Resource Center (ISRC), will provide critical information to help international students and DSOs / AROs understand the nuances of various non-standard types of experiential and entrepreneurial activities. A panel of experienced immigration attorneys will walk participants through real-world examples and regulatory interpretations.
J-1 Early Career STEM Research Pathway
Speakers provided an overview of the J-1 Early Career STEM Research Initiative first announced under the Biden-Harris Administration, including its history, components, benefits to academic institutions, challenges, and examples. The webinar also provided an example of how prospective hosting organizations can use a State Department-designated sponsor to participate in this program. Lastly, attendees learned about the Legal Pathways that Work initiative, including how noncitizen students and graduates, higher education professionals, and employers interested in hosting and hiring noncitizen talent can access more information on pathways via the LPTW resource hub.
The End of Duration of Status? What Campuses and Students Need to Know to Prepare
This is a webinar on the anticipated final rule to end duration of status (D/S) for international students and scholars. As institutions await the final rule, this session will provide an overview of what we know so far, including potential implications for campuses, administrators, and students, and how colleges and universities can prepare for the possible changes.
Our expert speakers will outline practical steps institutions can take now to mitigate disruption and support the impacted students and scholars. The session will also explore potential legal and policy pathways, including possible scenarios for challenging the rule, and what different stakeholders can anticipate in the months ahead.
Navigating H-1B Visa Changes: Policy Updates and Resources for Higher Education
Hosted by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and the International Student Resource Center, the event will bring together subject matter experts to share the latest policy updates and legal developments, discuss key arguments and messaging, and provide tools and resources for institutions and impacted students and scholars.
During the session, attendees will gain insights and resources to:
Navigate the most recent and anticipated regulatory changes to the H-1B program Understand the current status of ongoing litigation efforts
Leverage resources, guidance, and tools to respond to current developments and prepare for future changes
Assess the potential impacts of these changes on international students, scholars, and campuses
Innovative Approaches for Supporting International Graduate Students
Over the past year, leading nonprofit and philanthropic organizations—including NAFSA, Renaissance Philanthropy’s Talent Mobility Fund, and the Institute for Progress—have launched innovative, data-driven initiatives to better understand the U.S. immigration system and elevate the profound impact international scholars have on research and development, workforce competitiveness, and economic growth.
In this GradFUTURES Forum online panel, participants will:
Understand past, present and emerging trends shaping the international student and scholar experience
Gain insights from national leaders in international education and U.S. immigration policy
Learn how to use practical, evidence-based tools to support and advocate for international scholars at your institution and beyond