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.
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
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.
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.
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.
🔗 Contact us to learn how GoElite can support your graduate enrollment goals this year—and beyond.