I finally got my visa this week. Under the terms of the visa I got I can do my commercial, instructor's rating etc over in the USA however you must not hold any license higher then a PPL when applying and then I can stay and work for up to 4 years as an instructor while completing degree studies part time.
I have spent a long time researching possibilities and everywhere I have asked I have been told that sponsorships are extremely rare in the States. You need dual citizenship or to be married to an ICU nurse who are in demand in the US because she could get you both a greencard.
Have you visited the visa site and read all the types of work permits available? Getting for a pilot would be extremely difficult I imagine having thoroughly read through the legislation and speaking to various officials at the Consulate in Sydney. Just applying for my exchange visa they wanted to know if I had ever expressed any desire to emigrate to the US or had ever applied for the greencard lottery. And I have to have a return date established before I arrive in the country.
I am leaving on wednesday and will continue to post on pprune so email me if you like to hear how I go.
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"..You must ensure you don't cross his nose, give him a shot at you. That is critical!" Malan