U.S. to remove flight schools from J-1 visa program
Big changes ahead for U.S. flight schools and their foreign students. It will be interesting to see how it plays out, especially for those already enrolled and looking forward to that extra year of time-building CFI work in the U.S.
News from HAI (abridged for this post): "Helicopter Association International (HAI) has learned that a State Department announcement is expected shortly that will remove all flight training schools from the Exchange Visitor Program. This program has brought hundreds of thousands of students, including many thousands of pilot trainees, to the United States on J-1 visas since 1961.
Unlike the conventional student visa (M-1), the J-1 visa allows its holder to remain in the United States for a total period of two years during which time he or she completes approximately one year of formal training followed by one year of practical work experience as a flight instructor.
The United States has been a leader in aviation training for many decades, and changes to our immigration policy with regard to foreign flight training are likely to cause a substantial reduction in the number of foreign students trained in the U.S. Further, as the number of foreign flight students declines, there is concern that many flight schools will be forced to close their doors."