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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>SUBJECT: Students in last registered semester and post completion OPT<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>If <span class=GramE>Spring</span> 2005 is your last semester to
register for classes and you want to o</span></font><st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>tain
post completion OPT authorization (EAD card), you must apply for it <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>efore
the semester ends. Post completion OPT must <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>e
applied in your last registered semester. This semester may or may not <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>e
your graduating semester. Your post completion OPT application package must
reach the immigration adjudicator <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>efore the
last day of the semester (<st1:date Month="5" Day="14" Year="2005">May 14, 2005</st1:date>).
Your OPT application will <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>e rejected if your
package is received after May 14. To allow for mailing time, and assure that
your OPT application reaches the immigration adjudicator in time, the last day
for an appointment to apply for post completion OPT with one of the
international student is May 6. Please call in advance for an appointment.
Forms and instruction for OPT application can <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>e
downloaded from<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><a
href="http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/international/OPT.htm">http://www7.tamu-commerce.edu/international/OPT.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>On your appointment day, please </span></font><st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>ring
all required items with you and <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>e on time.
Forms must <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>e completed in advance <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>efore
you arrive for your appointment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>It can take up to 90 days after the application </span></font><st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>efore
you receive your post completion OPT authorization (EAD Card). However, <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>ased
on our experience with the previous students, majority of our students have
received the EAD card within 30-60days after the application. You may not start
your employment <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>efore the OPT authorization
date.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I want to point out that OPT application is optional, NOT mandatory.
Some students may not want to o</span></font><st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>tain
OPT authorization- that is your choice. If you do not want to o<st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>tain
post completion OPT after you complete your studies, you have 3 other options:
change to another visa category, transfer to another school to <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>egin
a new degree, or prepare to depart the <st1:country-region><st1:place>US</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
Whichever option you choose, you must take action within 60 days after the last
day of the semester or you will <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>e
out-of-status. Employment is not allowed during these 60 days grace period.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Questions/answers many students have asked:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>1. What is the difference </span></font><st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>etween
the "final registered semester" and the "graduating
semester"? Are they the same?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Answer: These two terms do not always have the same meaning. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The Immigration uses the "final registered semester" to
determine the ending of your <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span
style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>full time F-1 status</span></i>,
it does not matter whether you have filed for graduation or not. If you want to
remain in the </span></font><st1:country-region><st1:place>US</st1:place></st1:country-region>
on legal F-1 status, you must apply for post completion OPT <st1:PersonName><u>b</u></st1:PersonName><u>efore</u>
this semester ends and you must move into <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span
style='font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>post completion <span
class=GramE>OPT<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>F</span>-1 status</span></i>
<u>after</u> this semester ends. Students who have registered for all courses <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>ut
have not fulfilled all requirements to graduate or who have not filed for
graduation <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>y the deadline MUST apply for post
completion OPT in this last registered semester and can later file for
graduation in the following semester when all requirements are met.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The university uses the term "graduating semester" to
determine when you have met all requirements to graduate. This is the semester
that you will actually receive a diploma and your degree.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>For students who have fulfilled all requirements to graduate and have
filed for graduation </span></font><st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>y the
deadline, the "last registered semester" and the "graduating
semester" will have the same meaning and they will take place in the same
semester.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>2. What should I do if I registered for classes in my last semester </span></font><st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>ut
at the end of the semester I cannot complete my courses so I cannot file for
graduation in this semester?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Answer: As soon as you know that you will not </span></font><st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>e
a<st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>le to complete the courses <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>y
the end of that semester, you must contact your instructor and request for
incomplete grades; you must also apply for post completion OPT <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>efore
the deadline and <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>efore the semester ends if
you want to remain in legal F-1 status in the US.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>You can work on the incomplete courses
while you are on post completion OPT authorization and file for graduation in
the following semester when you complete your courses. Without post completion
OPT registration in SEVIS, you will <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>e
out-of-status for not registered in class as a full time student. The
immigration regulations only require that you apply for post <span class=GramE>completion
OPT</span> in your last registered semester, which may <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>e
prior to your graduating semester. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>3. If I am on CPT in my last registered semester, can I apply for post <span
class=GramE>completion OPT</span> in the same semester?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Answer: Yes.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>In fact, this
is what we advise you to do. Because it takes up to 90 days for post completion
OPT to </span></font><st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>e approved after your
timely application, when your CPT ends at the end of the semester, your post
completion OPT authorization will <st1:PersonName>b</st1:PersonName>ecome
effective.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><st1:PersonName><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-no-proof:yes'>Noi Prapan</span></font></st1:PersonName><span
style='mso-no-proof:yes'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;mso-no-proof:yes'>Director, International Student Services<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;mso-no-proof:yes'>Texas A&M University-Commerce<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><st1:address><st1:Street><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-no-proof:yes'>P.O.Box</span></font></st1:Street><span
style='mso-no-proof:yes'> 3011</span></st1:address><span style='mso-no-proof:
yes'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><st1:place><st1:City><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-no-proof:yes'>Commerce</span></font></st1:City><span
style='mso-no-proof:yes'>, </span><st1:State><span style='mso-no-proof:yes'>Texas</span></st1:State><span
style='mso-no-proof:yes'> </span><st1:PostalCode><span style='mso-no-proof:
yes'>75429</span></st1:PostalCode></st1:place><span style='mso-no-proof:yes'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;mso-no-proof:yes'>Phone: 903-886-5097<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;mso-no-proof:yes'>FAX: 903-468-3200<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;mso-no-proof:yes'>Noi_Prapan@tamu-commerce.edu<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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