Must I attend school full-time as an F-1 student?

A: In order to maintain a F-1 Visa, one must be enrolled as a full time student. Full time status is defined, not by the government, but by the school. Most often, there is a minimum number of units or courses one must take per semester to be considered a full time student. This requirement is the reason why no time limit is put on F-1 Visas. Because visa holders are required to go to school full time, the government can be fairly confident that however long it takes visa holders to complete their degree is reasonable, and that the foreign student's isn't using the F-1 simply as a means of staying in the United States for as long as possible, whether it's to make money or for any reason other than earning a degree.