As posted on the private forum by SoCal App............
Who needs a visa and what type of visa is required?
1. If you are visiting the US to hour build or a flying holiday and have a FAA License or an FAA license issued on the basis of your Foreign License, you can enter the country on a Visa Waiver and fly as long as you meet the F.A.R.s. (BFR, Medical, etc.)
2. If you need to convert your license to a Restricted F.A.A. License, you will need to submit the request to the F.A.A. in Oklahoma City so they can do a background check; this process takes 20-60 days. If you get the o.k. to convert your license you can enter the country on a Visa Waiver.
If you do not have the time to wait to convert your license, you can take the F.A.A. Written Test and the Flight Test in order to get an Unrestricted F.A.A. License. In order to do this you will need to be on an F-1, M-1, or J-1 Visa. (Since you are seeking a License/Rating)
If you decide not to convert your license and just fly on an F.A.A. Student Solo Certificate, you will once again need to be on an F-1, M-1, or J-1 Visa. (Since it is a Student License)
3. Going to the U.S.A. in order to train for a J.A.A. or F.A.A. License. You must be on a F-1, M-1, J-1 Visa. (Since you are seeking a License/Rating)
4. If you are coming to the U.S.A. in order to revalidate you license, either F.A.A. or J.A.A., you can come on a Visa Waiver since that is a currency requirement and you are not adding a Rating/License. This is subject to change since the authorities are looking at this situation and there are people in USCIS which want this to require a Visa.
5. If you have entered the U.S.A. on holiday and while here decided to do flight training. Should you want to train in the U.S.A. after you arrive in the U.S.A. and are on a B Visa, you can apply to change your status to F-1/M-1/J-1 Visa and must wait till your status is changed before you can begin training. If you entered the U.S.A. on a Visa Waiver, you will have to leave the country, obtain the appropriate Visa and then return to train. The Visa Waiver is NOT a Visa and therefore you do not have a Visa to change status on.
Last edited by SoCal App : Yesterday at 02:36.