555, yes you have a point. You would need the passport and the right to work in the given country. However some of us have the passport or the right to work, so now its a case of getting the license. Furthermore, for example, you dont need to be in States to fly an N registered aircraft, but you DO need a FAA ticket. Lots of N reg planes floating all over the world that you do not need an American passport to fly. Same goes for Euro reg planes outisde of Europe. So, perhaps in your case it is a moot point, but for some its very relevant.
I'll get my JAR whatever the method may be, but obviously if there are rumblings of this process beign easier, I'm all ears. Surely you can appreciate my curiosity??