The 2026 OPT Playbook: Expert Panel Answers Your OPT Questions

Navigating Optional Practical Training (OPT) and post-graduate life has always required careful planning for international students. This has shifted quickly as new policy discussions, shifting job market dynamics, and evolving compliance requirements as students now have to stay on top of these things more than.

To help international students stay ahead and maximize their success in 2026 and beyond, our team at ISO Student Health Insurance hosted a free webinar: The 2026 OPT Playbook

A full recording of the webinar can be found at the video link below:

The webinar featured a speaker panel led by experts in various fields of the U.S. job market and visa compliance - including:

• Fabian Lima – an immigration attorney with 30+ years experience handling complex cases for U.S. non-residents
• Lauren Wyatt – attorney specializing in immigration cases and nonprofit immigration advocacy programs.
• Roshni Chellani – a former international student who now creates content revolving around employment tips for students pursuing jobs in STEM fields.
• Melissa Zuroff – current Director of Engagement at New York University’s Office of Global Studies

Check out the video above to see this expert panel cover the following topics:

• Key deadlines for applying for OPT and STEM OPT
• Staying compliant throughout the F-1 → OPT → H-1B pipeline
• Employment restrictions and reporting guidelines
• Insights for finding a job and navigating unemployment
• Interview tips and resume building
• Political and policy developments impacting the future of OPT and H-1B
• Common OPT mistakes and how to avoid them

Whether you are preparing to apply for OPT, currently working on OPT, or considering a STEM OPT extension, this webinar provides the guidance you need to plan your stay in the U.S. over the next couple years all within an hour and 15 minutes.

To learn more about ISO's OPT plans, check out the following link: https://www.isoa.org/opt_plans