Originally Posted by
selfin
havick, pursuit of a course of study by aliens admitted to the United States under the VWP, or a B-class visa, is expressly prohibited by statute. The relevant regulation and supplemental guidance is given in this (
pdf link) memorandum dated 12 Apr 2002 for regional directors et al from the Executive Associate Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service on the subject "prohibition of B-1 or B-2 nonimmigrants enrolling in a course of study prior to a change of nonimmigrant status."
what’s the definition of a course of study then?
like I said why does the TSA even have the VWP as an option in their application?
is a type rating, or an ATP conversion a course of study?
Serious question. How do pretty much all the pilots in the world from VWP eligible countries get away with coming to FSI or CAE for a recurrent or type rating then?
**Edit - Just read the document. Pretty interesting. I suppose a recurrent training wouldn’t constitute a course of training, and perhaps borderline an initial type rating. Perhaps even a license conversion wouldn’t constitute a course of training if it’s straight to an ATP as technically there’s no training required just a written and test component (helicopter only as fixed wing needs ATP-CTP course). But the primary “intent” of the visit would have to be for vacation and then also happen to knock over the flight stuff. I suppose in that instance it would be legal under the VWP.