EU citizen work in US/AUS

[DvirShany]

Hey folks,
So the thing is,
I am an EU citizen, my girlfriend and I (she has an EU citizenship as well) want to move to Australia or US, she is gonna do her degree and I want to be a flight instructor.
I am on my last phases of my ATPL and I wanted to know how realistic it is to plan on being a flight instructor out of the EU.
If someone has some details and can help me with this topic I would highly appreciate! Have a good day everyone!

[ersa]

Didn’t realise the EU did citizenship, Thought it was European nation states.

Do you want to work as a flight instructor now or after you come back from Australia / USA

[selfin]

Didn’t realise the EU did citizenship, Thought it was European nation states.

Citizenship of the European Union is additional to the citizenship of member countries. See summary of art. 20 of TFEU and art. 9 of TEU: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=LEGISSUM:a12000

[DvirShany]

Didn’t realise the EU did citizenship, Thought it was European nation states.

Do you want to work as a flight instructor now or after you come back from Australia / USA


Hey,
basically it means that my country is in the EU, so my rights are to travel/live/work/study etc etc in the EU are free. I want to be a flight instructor in Australia, my main goal... I have an American PPL and now I am on my last phases of the theoretical ATPL. I have 150 hours of flight. Thanks!

[redsnail]

It is possible to get an Instructor rating and work in Australia. Just how you get there is a different matter. You can't just walk in and start work straight away. You'll need visas etc. There is a pilot shortage happening in Australia right now.
What Visa can I get? Look here.

How to convert a foreign licence?
[url=]https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certification/landing-page/individual-licensing (]https://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/immigration-and-visas[/url)

[DvirShany]

It is possible to get an Instructor rating and work in Australia. Just how you get there is a different matter. You can't just walk in and start work straight away. You'll need visas etc. There is a pilot shortage happening in Australia right now.
What Visa can I get? Look
How to convert a foreign licence?

Hey! Thanks for the info and help, I appreciate that!
do you know if it is possible to apply for the visa now? (Before I finished my EASA ATPL and CFI)
I would like to get the visa as soon as possible so maybe I will even be able to do the CFI in Australia... thanks!

[redsnail]

No idea. The above links should be able to answer your questions.
I hold an Australian passport/citizenship so I don't know the ins and outs of the visa process.
Good luck.

[youngretired]

Hey! Thanks for the info and help, I appreciate that!
do you know if it is possible to apply for the visa now? (Before I finished my EASA ATPL and CFI)
I would like to get the visa as soon as possible so maybe I will even be able to do the CFI in Australia... thanks!




What you'll need is not simply a visa, but also a work permit. Generally, when you got your permit then your family can travel with you in terms of long term visa (also called residency permit). But as I understand from you mentioned your partner as "girlfriend" you are not legally married with her, so she needs a visa/work permit too to study/travel/work abroad, which means she needs to clarify where she should be doing her degree, apply for it, and ask for appropriate visa type.

These types of work needs pre-planning/arrangement. Just like she needs clarification, you need them too. To make an application for a work permit you have to apply for a job first; either face to face by obtaining tourist visa and visiting them or by sort of distant application. When you do that they must provide you an invitation letter and relevant consulate will ask you that letter when you get there.

Also these are general information about how you study/work abroad. Some countries may have other specific requirements for you. For example Lithuania invitation letters must be submitted to their system by the invitation provider and you only need to provide a reference code provided after submission. USA have TSA screenings for security reasons and also tons of paperwork and fees for foreign workforce AFAIK.

[DvirShany]

What you'll need is not simply a visa, but also a work permit. Generally, when you got your permit then your family can travel with you in terms of long term visa (also called residency permit). But as I understand from you mentioned your partner as "girlfriend" you are not legally married with her, so she needs a visa/work permit too to study/travel/work abroad, which means she needs to clarify where she should be doing her degree, apply for it, and ask for appropriate visa type.

These types of work needs pre-planning/arrangement. Just like she needs clarification, you need them too. To make an application for a work permit you have to apply for a job first; either face to face by obtaining tourist visa and visiting them or by sort of distant application. When you do that they must provide you an invitation letter and relevant consulate will ask you that letter when you get there.

Also these are general information about how you study/work abroad. Some countries may have other specific requirements for you. For example Lithuania invitation letters must be submitted to their system by the invitation provider and you only need to provide a reference code provided after submission. USA have TSA screenings for security reasons and also tons of paperwork and fees for foreign workforce AFAIK.
Hey, I appreciate you reply!
She will be getting her visa through the university she’s applying to...
I tried to connect one of the flight schools in Australia to get a sense of the situation, here are the replies I got, which made me really scared:
Hi Dvir,

Thanks for your email. Unfortunately Australia's skilled migration program is very regulated and flight Instructors is not one of the Skills Catargories under which you can be sponsored.

Regards
David

Hello David,
Just to make sure we’re on the same page here... I can pay my training, I am not looking for a sponsor... I am looking for a visa so I will be able to work in Australia as a flight instructor... is that possible? Appreciate the quick reply, looking forward to hearing from you again,
Dvir.

Hi Dvir,

It is possible to obtain a student visa to allow study in a course towards your Commercial Pilot Licence and your Flight Instructor Rating. Refer to (can’t upload the links)
It is not possible to then work in Australia as a Flight Instructor with out meeting residency or citizenship requirements

David,
Thanks again for the reply... I am sorry to bother you with these questions... the information isn’t readily available. Is it a possible and likely to get a residence privileges after completing these courses? I am seriously weighing my options now, and moving to Australia is definitely my preference... thanks again for the help!

Hi Dvir,

Residency and work privileges are not available for foreign Pilots.

Dave




The whole thing really surprised because, it’s contrasting what I have seen in the Australian website about flight instructors... anyways according to him it is not possible.
am I missing something? Thanks!

[Transsonic2000]

I am an EU citizen, my girlfriend and I (she has an EU citizenship as well) want to move to Australia or US, she is gonna do her degree and I want to be a flight instructor.
I have an American PPL and now I am on my last phases of the theoretical ATPL

1. I assume you are talking about the EASA ATPL exams?! Well, the EASA ATP exams are basically useless in the US, since the FAA (US Aviation Authority) won't give you any credit for it! In order to obtain a FAA CFI (certified flight instructor) you'd need to climb up the ladder of the FAA certification process. In the US there is no such thing like a "conversion" of license, except for the PPL (same like in Europe basically, but that's a whole different story). Since you mentioned that you already hold an FAA PPL (and it's not based on a foreign PPL) you would need to obtain your instrument rating, CPL (commercial pilot license) and afterwards your CFI (Instructor). This means that you need to meet the respective aeronautical experience (flight hours an instruction) pass the check-ride as well as the associated knowledge test (theoretical exams for instrument, commercial and instructor).

2. Immigrating in the US is a whole different story though! It is far more difficult (if not impossible), especially in light of the current US presidency! To make a long story short. In order to obtain a legal work and residence permit for the US, considering the average qualified alien person meaning you don't hold an academic degree like Doctor Title or something equivalent. There are two "possibilities" either win the green-card lottery or find a US girl and marry her. Believing or hoping that a US company will sponsor you a work visa is highly unlikely (unless you hold an academic degree as already mentioned) since this involves a lot of paperwork for the company, explaining why they wish to employ you instead of an equally qualified US citizen.

Side note: Exploring the world and starting a new life somewhere else frequently seems to be quite exciting and promising, especially for younger people. But reality and dreams are often two different pair of shoes! I'm afraid but I personally believe that if you really want to become a pilot, you stand much better chances here in Europe, particularly as a Rookie (beginner) and given to current job-market situation (many airlines are in need of pilots). Once you have finished your ATP exams, you left the worst behind you and things can/will go quite fast! Good luck!

[youngretired]

Hi Dvir,
Today I've checked the Skilled Occupation List of Australia (https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/work/work/skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/skilled-occupations-lists/combined-stsol-mltssl), and I think Aeroplane Pilot is on the list.
That means if you follow the procedure (https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/189-), you may end up with working in Australia in 9 to 11 months.

[wiggy]

I think our Australian colleagues may have an interesting opinion on that last comment.

I think we've been spoiled in Europe/EU over the last few decades by the relative ease with which (in theory at least) it has become possible to cross borders and perhaps gainful employment in other (local) countries....most of the world isn't like that.

[redsnail]

It's accurate. There is a pilot shortage in Australia. However, you do have to jump through the CASA hurdles. (Not as bad as EASA ;)
If you're not qualified, then you'll have to find something else.
That list can change tomorrow. It often does.