Can you get a student visa even if you take online classes?

Question

My Italian fiance wants to study here in the U.S. However, due to private reasons, he wants to take the online classes presented by an American university. Is it still possible to obtain a student visa even though he will not be studying in a physical classroom?

Answer 1

Short answer is no.

To be an international student a person must be enrolled as a full-time student (12 credit hours minimum) - online classes will only count for 3 credit hours regardless of the number of classes a person takes.

For example if a person takes 20 online classes, they will still only count for 3 credits.

Answer 2

I'm going to assume we are talking college undergraduate level.  He has to be enrolled as full time student at an accredited institution.  That means 20 hour a week or more.  I don't think a college can issue an I-20 form (something he needs to get a student visa) to an on-line student.