If your school’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification has been withdrawn, you will receive a letter from SEVP. SEVP will send the letter to the U.S. address your school has listed for you in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and will explain your options for maintaining your student status. Please follow the SEVP guidance provided in that letter. For general guidance following a school withdrawal, read below.
Student Guidance for a Withdrawn School
For most school withdrawals, school officials will retain access to SEVIS to transfer out and maintain current student records until a given date specified by SEVP. After this date, SEVP will terminate students’ SEVIS records. The SEVIS record termination date is included in the letter the student receives from SEVP.
Current Active nonimmigrant students have the following options to complete by their SEVIS record termination date:
- Seek transfer to another SEVP-certified institution.
- Change their status.
- Depart the United States.
Students in Initial status that have already entered the United States have the following options to complete by their SEVIS record termination date:
- Seek transfer to another SEVP-certified institution.
- Change their status.
- Depart the United States.
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 their school 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.
For general and case-specific questions, students should direct questions to the SEVP Response Center (SRC) at 703-603-3400 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET on weekdays, except federal holidays. You can also email the SRC at sevp@ice.dhs.gov.
At times, SEVP issues specific student guidance for certain schools. If your school is listed below, please click on your school’s name to see the additional information provided.
Academic High School
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.
Academic High School (AHS) in Miami, Florida, was denied recertification by SEVP, effective Jan. 28, 2019, and the school’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) access will terminate on March 29, 2019. As of Jan. 28, 2019, AHS is no longer able to issue any new Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” but will retain SEVIS access until March 29, 2019, to manage any current student records.
Academic High School nonimmigrant students in Active status have until March 29, 2019, 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 AHS 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.
AHS is responsible for advising all Initial and Active status nonimmigrant students that the school is no longer approved by SEVP. Nonimmigrant students who have questions about their options 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.
American Language Communication Center
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools are subject to a review of their certification at any time based on federal regulation.
American Language Communication Center (ALCC), in New York, New York, ceased operations and its SEVP certification is automatically withdrawn, effective April 10, 2019, and the school’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) access will terminate on May 10, 2019. As of April 10, 2019, ALCC is no longer able to issue any new Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” but will retain SEVIS access until May 10, 2019, to manage any current student records.
ALCC nonimmigrant students in Active status have until May 10, 2019, to:
- Seek a change of status,
- Enroll in another qualified program of study at an SEVP certified school, or
- Depart the United States.
ALCC nonimmigrant students that were in initial status and have entered the United States have until May 10, 2019, 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 ALCC 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.
ALCC is responsible for advising all Initial and Active status nonimmigrant students that the school is no longer approved by SEVP. 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.
Argosy University
On March 8, 2019, Argosy University (Argosy), ceased operations at all campuses. The affected campuses are located in Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, Hawaii, California, Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.
The nonimmigrant students impacted by the school closures will be contacted by SEVP and informed of their options to maintain status or depart the United States. Argosy nonimmigrant students in Active status have until May 21, 2019, to:
- Seek a change of status,
- Transfer to 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 as an 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 Argosy 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.
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.
Inlingua Florida
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools are subject to a review of their certification at any time based on federal regulation.
Inlingua Florida, in Miami, Florida, ceased operations and its SEVP certification is automatically withdrawn, effective Nov. 8, 2018, and the school’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) access will terminate on Dec. 10, 2018. As of Nov. 8, 2018, Inlingua Florida is no longer able to issue any new Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” but will retain SEVIS access until Dec. 10, 2018, to manage any current student records.
Inlingua Florida nonimmigrant students in Active status have until Dec. 10, 2018, 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 Inlingua Florida 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.
Inlingua Florida is responsible for advising all Initial and Active status nonimmigrant students that the school is no longer approved by SEVP. Inlingua Florida is also responsible for counseling the students on possible actions and handling their SEVIS records appropriately. Nonimmigrant students who have questions about their options 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.
Long Island Conservatory/LISMA Language Center
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.
Silicon Valley University
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools are subject to a review of their certification at any time based on federal regulation.
Silicon Valley University (SVU), in San Jose, California, voluntarily withdrew its SEVP‑certification, effective April 30, 2018, and the school’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) access will terminate on June 30, 2018. As of April 30, 2018, SVU is no longer able to issue any new Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” but will retain SEVIS access until June 30, 2018, to manage any current student records.
SVU nonimmigrant students in Active status, including those participating in optional practical training (OPT) and science, technology, engineering and mathematics OPT, have until June 30, 2018, to:
- Complete their program,
- Seek a change of status, or
- Enroll in another qualified program of study at an SEVP certified school.
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 SVU 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.
SVU is responsible for advising all Initial and Active status nonimmigrant students that the school is no longer approved by SEVP. The school is also responsible for counseling the students on possible actions and handling their SEVIS records appropriately.
Nonimmigrant students who have questions about their options 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.