Mercenary pilot is right...(we talk about SELF-SPONSORED PILOTS,not CREW MEMBERS SENT BY AN AIRLINE)
you do NOT need a visa for type rating as long the TSA does NOT check your visa status WITH THE ICE.
If they check your visa status, you need a visa (you can not get it anyway ...)
2 situations:
1)
If you are the unlucky pilot, your file will be sent by the TSA to the ICE for visa inspection , and your application will be denied(only M1-J1-F1...) and as TSA has the final decision, your money is lost...
2)
If you are lucky (like Mercenary pilot), your file will stay in the TSA office, and you will be approved for flight training(even if you have no visa).
the bug is here: flight school who train pilot on flight simulators can not issue you an M1 visa, when the ICE asks for an M1 visa.
this bug in the system will reject automatically your application and you can not get an hearing or an refund.
some pilots have already been refused for flight training...(read situation 1)
and please,read this again: ICE with then relay its findings to TSA for appropriate action, and this may result in denial of a candidate's flight training.
well guys,they don't check always your visa, because the TSA knows your application will be denied and they won't see your $$$, but as they have to do their job, they pick one or 2 unlucky guys from the lot...and they screw up your application with no question asked(if you are the unlucky guy from the lot)....
I hope this situation will change soon because it is an unfair lottery, (and I do not talk about pilots who went in the USA and who had to buy a ticket to go home the same day ...)
Last edited by dartagnan; 6th Nov 2006 at 18:54.