michael95u and ab33t,
There are two distinct methods of having instrument privileges included in a 61.75 certificate.
Method 1: Complete the requirements under 61.65 for a standard US instrument rating.
Method 2: Complete the Instrument—Foreign Pilot knowledge test,
or the standard instrument rating knowledge test.
Method two is availably only to persons whose foreign licence includes instrument privileges. If, after successfully completing the Instrument—Foreign Pilot knowledge test, you wish to acquire an unrestricted US instrument rating, it will be necessary to successfully complete the standard instrument rating knowledge test. No credit for the standard test is given by the IFP test. If the IFP test is failed you'll need to receive additional training, together with an instructor endorsement, before reapplying for another IFP test (see 61.49). The same is true of the standard IR knowledge test. For a standard IR knowledge test section 61.65 requires you to "receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor" (61.65(a)(3)) and "receive a logbook or training record endorsement" from same certifying that you're prepared to take the standard IR knowledge test (61.65(a)(4)).
A practical test is not required for method 2, nor is flight training, although it is advisable to make a detailed study of the subtle differences between ICAO PANS OPS and US TERPS. The FAA
Instrument Procedures Handbook (free of charge) is essential reading material.
The following is from the aforementioned FSIMS document [dated 2009-DEC-28]:
UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN DOWNLOADED
Check with FSIMS to verify current version before using
5-595 OBTAINING A U.S. PILOT CERTIFICATE.
[...]
D. Foreign Pilot License. Section 61.75 permits a person who holds a foreign pilot license at least equivalent to or higher than the U.S. private pilot certification level and issued by an ICAO member state to apply for a private pilot certificate by complying with the application and certification procedures contained in this chapter. A person may be issued a § 61.75 private pilot certificate on the basis of a foreign pilot license as follows:
1) With no instrument privileges, for which neither a knowledge nor a practical test is required.
2) With instrument privileges, provided the applicant has passed the IFP knowledge test and the applicant’s foreign pilot license has the equivalent Instrument—[Aircraft] rating.
NOTE: Completion of the FAA Instrument—[Aircraft: Airplane, Helicopter, or Powered-lift, as appropriate] Rating Aeronautical knowledge test within the preceding 24 calendar-months is also acceptable.
3) With a standard instrument rating, provided the applicant has passed the Instrument—[Aircraft: Airplane, Helicopter, or Powered-lift, as appropriate] knowledge test and practical test. The U.S. pilot certificate will be issued with the notation “U.S. TEST PASSED.”
[...]
UNCONTROLLED COPY WHEN DOWNLOADED
Check with FSIMS to verify current version before using
5-597 U.S. PILOT CERTIFICATES THAT MAY BE ISSUED TO A PERSON WHO HOLDS A FOREIGN PILOT LICENSE. The kinds of U.S. pilot certificates that may be issued to a person who holds a foreign pilot license in accordance with § 61.75 are:
[...]
D. Ratings Issued. A U.S. private pilot certificate issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license (at least equivalent to or higher than the U.S. private pilot certification level) must bear the part 61, § 61.5 equivalent to the ratings on the foreign pilot license (e.g., ASEL, AMEL, etc.). However, an instrument rating may only be issued if:
1) Instrument Privileges. The foreign pilot license on which the certificate is based has instrument privileges on it; and
2) IFP Knowledge Test. The person passes the IFP knowledge test on part 91 subpart B that relates to instrument flight rules (IFR) operational procedures.
NOTE: An instrument rating is not issued at a certain pilot certification level (meaning private pilot, commercial pilot, or ATP certification level) because the instrument rating is merely a rating/operating privilege.
[...]
4) Private Pilot Certificate. When a private pilot certificate is issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license and the foreign pilot license has instrument rating/privileges, in order for that person to receive instrument privileges on the U.S. pilot certificate, the person must pass either the IFP knowledge test or the standard instrument rating (i.e., Instrument—Airplane or Instrument—Helicopter or Instrument—Powered-lift) knowledge test, and the standard instrument rating practical test (see § 61.65).
NOTE: If the applicant’s U.S. pilot certificate has not been issued with instrument privileges, then the issuing Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) will advise the applicant that he or she may not serve as a required pilot crewmember of a U.S.-registered aircraft under IFR when exercising the privileges of that U.S. pilot certificate. When the applicant passes the IFP knowledge test, instrument privileges will be granted on the U.S. pilot certificate. Passage of the IFP knowledge test does not qualify a person for the notation “U.S. TEST PASSED” for the instrument rating.
5) U.S. Test Passed Notation. To qualify for the notation “U.S. TEST PASSED” for the addition of an aircraft or instrument rating to a U.S. pilot certificate, the person must accomplish the appropriate aeronautical experience, pass the knowledge test (if applicable), and pass the practical test as required under part 61. Each rating added to the temporary U.S. pilot certificate will have the notation “U.S. TEST PASSED” following the rating to which the notation applies. The required aeronautical experience must be shown on FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application. Do not indicate “U.S. TEST PASSED” on the temporary pilot certificate if only the IFP knowledge test was passed.
A person applying for a U.S. pilot certificate must submit evidence that he/she currently meets the medical licensing standards for the foreign pilot license on which the application for the pilot certificate is based (see § 61.75(f)). Some foreign CAAs enter periodic medical endorsements on their foreign pilot licenses that affect its currency (i.e., Germany, Austria, Kenya, Cyprus, Canada, Guatemala, Trinidad, Tobago, Singapore, and Sri Lanka). Therefore, if the foreign pilot license must have a medical endorsement to make it valid, an FAA medical certificate alone will not satisfy the regulations. In cases when a medical endorsement is not used, a current medical license from the person’s foreign medical examiner or a current 14 CFR part 67 medical certificate will satisfy the requirement. If the person’s foreign pilot license shows a medical endorsement, the person should enter the word “Endorsement” on FAA Form 8710-1, section I, block R, or the equivalent class of medical certificate. If using the Integrated Airman Certification and/or Rating Application (IACRA), enter the date of that endorsement in block S. If the name of the examiner who administered the medical endorsement is unknown to the applicant because the foreign CAA administered the physical, then simply state “CAA” in block T.