F-1 and J-1 Student and Scholar Webinars on Fixed Time Period Rule and Extension of Stay

The new rule replacing “duration of status” with a “fixed time period of admission”​ has generated a lot of questions and concerns in the Columbia international community, and ISSO is here to help make sense of the implementation and implications.  

In addition to the dedicated webpage set up with FAQs and resources, and the increased availability of consultation slots with ISSO advisers, ISSO will also host a webinar series for F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars that will explain the new rule, address common concerns, and cover topics that are important to know for the months ahead.

Additional webinars will continue to open for registration in the coming days. We invite you to attend one of the following webinars, prepared and delivered by ISSO advisers. Please attend the webinar consistent with your visa type.

These sessions will not be recorded, but slides will be available on ISSO’s Fixed Time Period webpage after the presentation, behind a UNI log in.

ISSO is here to support our international student and scholar community, and we will continue to provide guidance on this new rule in the weeks leading up to the effective date of September 15th, 2026.

ISSO August Webinar Series: What You Need to Know About the New Rule on Fixed Time Period of Admission and Extension of Stay

The webinars will not be recorded but slides will be posted following each session.

Registration links will be added on ISSO’s Fixed Time Period webpage as they are available.

What J-1 Scholars Need to Know

• Friday, July 31st at 2pm
   

What Departments Sponsoring J-1 Faculty, Researchers and Scholars Need to Know (Morningside/Manhattanville Departments Only)

• Monday, August 3rd at 1pm

What F-1 Students Need to Know

• Tuesday, August 4th at 2pm
• Thursday, August 6th at 11am (repeat)
   

What J-1 Students Need to Know

• Friday, August 7th at 12pm
• Monday, August 10th at 1pm (repeat)
   

Impacts of the New Rule on International Travel

• Thursday, August 13th at 3pm
• Friday, August 14th at 12pm (repeat)

What New F-1/J-1 Students Need to Know

• Wed, August 19th at 10am

Impacts of the New Rule on Student Employment (On campus, CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, AT)

• Thursday, August 20th at 2pm
• Friday, August 21st at 11am (repeat)
   

Extensions and Program Changes with the New Rule

• Tuesday, August 25th at 2pm
• Thursday, August 27th at 11am (repeat)