Behind the Curtain: What I Learned at NAFSA

Hey friends,

I just got back from the NAFSA Annual Conference — the largest gathering of international educators in the country — and I’m feeling all the things.

Grateful to be there.

Humbled by the people I met.

And more committed than ever to helping international students not just stay in the U.S., but thrive here.

There’s so much that happens behind the scenes of immigration and international student policy, and being in a room full of DSOs, school leaders, government reps, and higher ed advocates reminded me just how complicated (and human!) this whole process really is.

Here’s a quick download of some of the most important updates — and what they mean for students and schools alike.

🔧 Department of Labor: PERM is (kinda) speeding up

The good news? PERM processing (that’s the labor certification step for green cards) is about 20% faster than this time last year.

The not-so-great news? H-1Bs are still taking a backseat to seasonal worker programs (H-2A and H-2B), and funding/staffing levels haven’t improved — so we shouldn’t expect miracles anytime soon.

📬 USCIS: Confusion continues

Lost EAD card? STEM OPT delays? Case tracker showing one thing, but your receipt says another?

Yeah. Still happening.

Some students are getting duplicate OPT approvals and unemployment days miscounted when they try to replace lost cards. STEM OPT students approaching the 180-day limit? Premium processing about six weeks out is your best bet. (Yes, we know it costs more. But if your employer really wants to keep you, they may help with the fee.)

Also: Online I-129s are here! Faster notifications, no mailing, but inconsistent receipts. And remember — H-1B approvals are (slightly) more likely now with the new modernization rule giving more weight to previous approvals. Progress is slow, but it’s progress.

🎓 DSO Roundtable: “We’re not forensic scientists”

This one hit home.

A lot of schools are navigating the reality of hybrid/online programs, limited staffing, and strange compliance expectations. The room was full of creative workarounds: Bluetooth check-ins, snack-based residency weekends, and some very flexible interpretations of in-person hours.

But what stood out most? The honesty. DSOs are trying their best — but they’re not detectives. And they shouldn’t have to be.

✈️ Travel & Vetting: Know before you go

Visa appointments are getting harder to book. “Extreme vetting” isn’t just a phrase — it’s showing up in real interviews.

Bring your documents. Be ready to explain your research. Clean up your devices and your digital footprint. And yes, review your old Facebook posts.

Travel isn’t impossible, but it does require planning. Especially for folks from China, Iran, and Russia, or anyone with complicated immigration histories. In some cases, having a lawyer on call before re-entry can save you hours of stress (or worse).

📊 Career Support: Students want jobs. Schools are… trying.

Students overwhelmingly say that job outcomes are the most important factor in choosing a U.S. school. But less than half think the cost of studying here is worth it.

Why?

Because most of them don’t use the career center. Not because they don’t care — because it doesn’t feel relevant or supportive.

Here’s the silver lining: there are tech tools and job boards (like LinkedIn, Indeed, and even froghire.ai) making things easier. And schools are finally starting to look at data: what’s working, what’s not, and how to build trust with students who want real-world outcomes, not just a degree.

There’s so much more I could share — RFEs, incident reporting, attendance monitoring, recruiting strategies, even the best swag ideas — but the big takeaway is this:

There are people fighting for international students behind the scenes every single day. And the system is still messy. Still full of gaps. But also full of people who care deeply, and who are working overtime to help students succeed.

I’m grateful to be in those rooms. To ask the questions that matter. And to bring back insights for you.

If you want to go deeper on this stuff — the visa updates, the work strategies, the quiet rules no one tells you about — we talk about it every week in the Ask A DSO community. It’s a place to learn, to ask real questions, and to feel a little less alone in all of this.

Whether you’re a student, a parent, or a campus partner — you’re welcome there.

If you're curious, just hit reply or check it out here.

Until then, thanks for being here. I’ll be back next week with more.

Always on your side,
Dr. Josh