Harvard International Office

If you are an F-1 student completing your degree in May 2025, now is the time for you to start the F-1 Post-Completion OPT application process. 

Applying for OPT is a two-step process. First, you must submit an OPT request to the HIO to obtain an OPT recommendation I-20. The HIO will start accepting OPT applications as of Monday, February 10, 2025. The HIO will begin emailing OPT I-20s to students as of Monday, March 3, 2025, along with instructions for the second step of the process: filing your OPT application with USCIS.