PA.../
You will find that "hours are hours" no matter where you acquire them. Case in point, over the years (when I was still actively instructing) many foreign pilots would apply for their respective Canadian lic. and as you stated, all that was required was the written and appropriate Flight tests.
I used to know a helicopter instructor (Canadian) who for years, taught in California and a number of his students would do exactly as I have stated.
good luck.