SEVP Terminates Certification for Long Island Conservatory/LISMA Language Center (LISMA)

SEVP posted the following notice on its website:

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools are subject to a review of their certification at any time based on federal regulation and are required to apply for recertification every two years.

Long Island Conservatory/LISMA Language Center (LISMA) in New York, was denied recertification by SEVP, effective Feb. 14, 2020, and the school’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) access will terminate on April 14, 2020. As of Feb. 14, 2020, LISMA is no longer able to issue any new Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” at any of the school’s three SEVP-certified campuses but will retain SEVIS access until April 14, 2020, to manage any current student records.

LISMA nonimmigrant students in Active status have until April 14, 2020, to:

• Seek a change of status,
• Enroll in another qualified program of study at an SEVP certified school, or
• Depart the United States.

LISMA nonimmigrant students that were in Initial status and have entered the United States have until April 14, 2020, to:

• Seek a change of status,
• Enroll in another qualified program of study at an SEVP certified school, or
• Depart the United States.

If one of these actions is not completed within this time frame, the students’ records will be terminated in SEVIS and the student will be considered out of status. If students elect to continue their studies in the United States, they should be advised of their responsibilities to complete a transfer to another SEVP-certified school. If students elect to discontinue their studies, their SEVIS record will be terminated for the reason of authorized early withdrawal.

Students in Initial status who have not yet entered the United States will not be admitted into the United States with the Form I-20 issued by LISMA or a visa issued for them to enroll at the school. If that student still wishes to pursue a course of study in the United States, they are advised to apply to another SEVP-certified school.

Students do not need to use a recruiter to obtain a United States student visa or transfer to a different SEVP-certified school. A recruiter does not issue a Form I-20, nor should the recruiter hold onto a Form I-20 for any reason. Free information about applying for an F or M visa is available from the Department of State's website. To learn more about the role of a recruiter, visit Study in the States.

Nonimmigrant students who have questions about their options or need assistance transferring their records to a new SEVP-certified school should call the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400. This number is staffed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.