Please talk with an ISA prior to travel. It is often more difficult to obtain a U.S. visa in a third country. Students who are considered overstays must apply for a new entry visa in their home country unless special circumstances exist. I do not need to maintain full-time status each semester. Yes, students need to be full time each semester even in their last semester.
Full time is defined as twelve credit hours for undergraduates and nine credit hours for graduates.
The Immigration and Naturalization Service recognizes certain situations in which students enroll for fewer credits than normally required. For fall and spring semesters, if you register for less than the required credits, you need to get a Short Courseload Form from our office and have your academic adviser or major professor approve it. Optional Practical Training Advice to F-1 students who are graduating in May and wish to work in U.S. Optional Practical Training is an opportunity to work in the U.S. for one year to gain practical experience in your field of study. Because it takes INS approximately 3 months to review requests, it is suggested that you apply now to be eligible to work following graduation. Remember, too, that you cannot complete a tax return until you have all the information.