Originally Posted by
dogpaddy
Thanks for the information HillerBee & i4iq.
I have begun to realise that the visa process is highly subjective and despite what it states on the visa in your passport, the final decision whether you actually get into the country or not is the official that you meet at the arrival airport.
Hillerbee,
Are you sure that it is only the CPL that prevents issuance of a J-1 visa? Does that mean I can get IR, CFI and CFII qualified on an M1 visa?
After reading a lot on this forum I am led to believe that you were at HAI in Florida. Did you go the M1 then J1 route? And if not were there any others that were taking that route? I am also intending to go to HAI and I'm curious if the school would raise any objections.
Thanks,
dogpaddy
You cannot get a CFI without a CPL.
There are people being send back at immigration, if you tell them you're on a J-1 but hope to stay they will send you straight back. They use all kinds of trick questions to find out whether your intentions are genuine, meaning study, gain experience and then go back to your home country.
The M-1->J1 route is also used by students at HAI, but I personally know a few who didn't get the J-1, and where F******
I did the normal J-1 route, graduated in 5.5 months and had plenty of time left on the visa. I actually left early because I got a job offer in the UK.
Do you live in Vienna? I'm in Graz from 5-11 feb.