Do US Operators Ever Issue Visas For Pilot Work?

[Topgun737]

Hey folks,

Are any of you aware of any US or Canada-based operators that have ever provided a working visa for oversees pilots?

I live and work in the UK as a 737 Captain but would hang up my flying gloves here to move across to the US irrespective of pay cut if it were possible (obviously not in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis - I understand). I've looked at various ways of acquiring residency but they are all fairly unrealistic at the moment (investing $900k for a business visa or marrying an American). Has anyone ever managed to make the jump across via a flying job without having relatives there or an American spouse?

Cheers!

[Jerry Springer]

Plenty of Australians work for USA regionals on an E3 Visa, not available to UK citizens however, so I guess that does not help you. Who knows if overseas pilots will even be required in the USA for some time not though?

[portsharbourflyer]

The introduction of the 1500 hour rule in FAA land did result in some US Airlines offering Visas to foreign pilots that held 1500 or more hours; however the Covid situation has probably now curtailed this. This only happened in the last year or so. Prior to the 1500 hour rule then you are correct, marrying a local was the near enough the only way for a non-US pilot to obtain work in the US.

There were some EASA approved schools based in the US that use to offer J1 visas which allowed non-US instructors to work for a limit of 12 months. I always thought EASA wanted to stop EASA training in Non-EASA states, but there still seems to be a few schools in the US holding EASA approvals. That said there seems to be far less US schools holding EASA approvals compared to the number that were around under JAA.

[what next]

Hello!

Originally Posted by portsharbourflyer

There were some EASA approved schools based in the US that use to offer J1 visas which allowed non-US instructors to work for a limit of 12 months.

A colleague of mine inquired about the terms of such a job, just out of curiosity (the prospect of a one-year paid holiday in Florida for himself and his wife sounded promising...). It turned out that the pay would just about have covered for paying the rent in Florida and maybe one or two visits to Mc Donalds per week. The travel expenses and his rent at home (with a one year only contract you need somewhere to get back to!) would have been on himself. They probably charged extra money for the visa, but I am not sure about that.

Regards
Max

[Booglebox]

The introduction of the 1500 hour rule in FAA land did result in some US Airlines offering Visas to foreign pilots that held 1500 or more hours; however the Covid situation has probably now curtailed this. This only happened in the last year or so.

Rare but did happen. I know a Polish guy who went to a regional on an H1B in early 2018.

There were some EASA approved schools based in the US that use to offer J1 visas which allowed non-US instructors to work for a limit of 12 months.

It's now an F-1 visa.
- Max 20hrs/week for as long as you like while "studying"
- Full time after that for max 1 year (CBT)
- Additional full time after that for another year after you pay $500 and jump through some hoops (OPT)
If you have 1500hrs, in theory you could go to a flight school, qualify as an instructor, and head off to the regionals for nearly 2 years. No idea about mainline.

It turned out that the pay would just about have covered for paying the rent in Florida and maybe one or two visits to Mc Donalds per week

Depends where you go. Some schools pay OK if you work your socks off