F2GC: Guiding International Talent from F-1 to Green Card with Clarity and Confidence

Last Saturday, GoElite successfully hosted the F-1 to Green Card Virtual Conference (F2GC)—a full-day online event designed to help international students and early-career professionals navigate every major stage of their U.S. immigration journey.

From OPT and STEM OPT to work visas and long-term green card pathways, F2GC focused on one clear mission: help participants take informed, strategic action early, rather than reacting to immigration challenges when time is limited.

A Holistic View of the Immigration Journey

Unlike single-topic webinars, F2GC was built to provide a complete, end-to-end roadmap. The conference addressed key transition points faced by international students, including:

• Moving from F-1 status to OPT and STEM OPT

• Evaluating Day 1 CPT as a bridge option

• Understanding H-1B and alternative work visa strategies

• Exploring self-petition green card pathways such as EB-1 and O-1

Expert Voices from Law, Academia, and Industry

The conference brought together a diverse group of immigration attorneys, former visa officers, designated school officials (DSOs), and founders who have successfully navigated the system themselves.

Featured speakers included:

• Brad Bernstein, President of The Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein, P.C.

• David E. Gluckman, Immigration Lawyer and Director at McCandlish Holton PC

• Marta (Xiaojie) Meng, Founder of Meng Law Group

• Nikin Tharan, Founder of Openventure Inc. and O-1 & EB-1A recipient

• Sid Sarasvati, Founder & CEO of Renovate AI and EB-1 & H-1B self-sponsored immigrant

• Sandy Chou, Assistant Director of International Student Success and SEVP-certified DSO at CIAM

In addition, GoElite team members Ryan Zhang and Shama Parveen shared practical insights from years of hands-on experience supporting CPT, OPT, and H-1B candidates. 

Actionable Insights—Not Just Theory

F2GC was designed to go beyond general information. Sessions included live guidance, real-world case examples, and interactive discussions, allowing attendees to better assess their own situations.

Key highlights included:

• Award-winning immigration lawyer keynotes on policy trends

• A tech career growth session tailored to international professionals

• A DSO-led breakdown of compliance and school considerations

• A deep dive into Day 1 CPT structures and risks

• Live consultations and audience Q&A

This practical, multi-perspective format empowered participants to leave with clarity—not confusion—about their next steps. 

Supporting Institutions and International Student Success

For universities and institutional partners, F2GC reinforced the importance of early immigration education, transparent advising, and cross-functional collaboration between academic programs, DSOs, and external experts.

By hosting F2GC, GoElite continues its commitment to supporting international talent through education, advocacy, and accessible expert resources—helping students make smarter decisions today for a more stable future tomorrow.