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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><i><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'>This email contains important information for students who
are currently on 12-month and 17-month extension OPT. Please visit our
OPT FAQ section at</span></font></i></b> <b><i><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;
font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'><a
href="http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/employment_cpt_opt.asp">http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international/employment_cpt_opt.asp</a>
for more information or contact an international advisor at the ISSO with any
questions or concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;font-weight:bold'>The ISSO wants to remind all
students that there is a new unemployment rule that was effective April 2008
for 12-month and 17-month OPT extension. For 12-month OPT, the rules
state that students cannot be unemployed for an aggregate of more than 90 days
during the 12-month OPT period. Unemployment for 10 days or less will not
count toward the unemployment total: example, changing employers within a period
of 10 days or less.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>USCIS states that the following activities
are considered allowable employment for <b><u><span style='font-weight:bold'>12-month
OPT only</span></u></b> and the employment must be directly related to the
academic major listed on your OPT I-20:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:
10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><a name=pgfId-3086744></a><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>· Regular paid employment for
at least 20 hours per week in a position directly related to the student's
program of study. <a name=pgfId-3086853></a>Students may work for multiple
employers, as long as it is directly related to the student's program of study.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><a
name=pgfId-3086844></a><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>· Payment
by multiple short-term multiple employers. Students, such as musicians
and other performing artists may work for multiple short term employers (gigs).
The student should maintain a list of all gigs, the dates and duration. If
requested by DHS, students must be prepared to provide evidence showing a list
of all gigs.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><a
name=pgfId-3086896></a><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>·
Work for hire. This is also commonly referred to as 1099 employment where
an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather
than an employment relationship. If requested by DHS, students must be prepared
to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract periods and the name
and address of the contracting company. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><a
name=pgfId-3086917></a><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>·
Self-employed business owner. Students on OPT may start a business and be
self-employed. In this situation, the student must work full time. The student
must be able to prove that he or she has the proper business licenses and is
actively engaged in a business related to the student's degree program.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><a
name=pgfId-3086918></a><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>· Employment
through an agency. Students on post-completion OPT must be able to
provide evidence showing they worked an average of at least 20 hours per week
while employed by the agency. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><font size=2
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:
10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><a name=pgfId-3086929></a><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>· Volunteers or unpaid interns.
Students may work as volunteers or unpaid interns, where this does not
violate any labor laws. The work must be at least 20 hours per week for
students on post-completion OPT. These students must be able to provide
evidence from the employer that the student worked at least 20 hours per week
during the period of employment. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;font-weight:bold'>For students on 17-month
extension, the rule states that students cannot be unemployed for an aggregate
of 120 days for the combined 12-month and 17-month extension period.
Unemployment for 10 days or less will not count toward the unemployment
total: example, changing employers within a period of 10 days or less.
Also, unlike the 12-month OPT employment exceptions <u>employment during the
17-month extension has to be paid employment for at least 20 hours a week.</u>
Also, all employers during the 17-month extension have to be registered with
E-Verify and the employment must be directly related to your academic major
listed on your OPT I-20. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;font-weight:bold'>If you
are unemployed for more than an aggregate of 90 days during 12-month OPT, or an
aggregate of more than 120 days for the 12-month and 17-month extension combined,
USCIS has stated that you may not be eligible for future benefits that rely on
a valid F-1 status if USCIS determines that you have exceeded the limitations
of unemployment. <o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>In addition, we have been contacted by
students who are currently out on OPT who want to return to A&M-
Commerce to pursue a second degree. This is possible, however
realize that you cannot cancel your current OPT authorization and then regain
it after you complete the second degree. Once you are approved for
OPT and pass your start date on the EAD, you cannot cancel the OPT and
regain any of the time. If you return to pursue a second degree your OPT
authorization will end the first day of the semester you begin your
new academic program. You will not be eligible for an additional
12-months at the same education level nor will you be eligible for the 17-month
extension at the same education level. Please contact an international
advisor at the ISSO with any questions or concerns.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div id=idSignature83490>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>John Mark Jones, Director</span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>International Student Services</span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Texas</span></font></st1:PlaceName><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">A&M</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University-</st1:PlaceType></span></font></st1:place><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'> Commerce</span></font><font color=black><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>PO Box</span></font></st1:Street><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> 3011</span></font></st1:address><font
color=black><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Commerce</span></font></st1:City><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>, <st1:State
w:st="on">TX</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">75429</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><font
color=black><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Phone: (903)
468-8144 </span></font><font color=black><span
style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>FAX: (903) 468-3200</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><a href="http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international">http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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