convert cpl with express entry
Joined: Oct 2007
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 120
From: Wherever I go, there I am
No. Immigration and pilot licencing are two different departments, and one does not impact the other. That is to say, you don't get a Canadian CPL by being granted entry into Canada.
I see for the Canada Express Entry that an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required. At most that would validate that your CPL is equivalent to a Canadian CPL, but as I said, that does not grant you a Canadian CPL. Only an FAA licence can be converted to a Canadian licence in the truest sense of the word "convert". The big condition here is that any FAA certificate that was issued on the basis of another foreign pilot licence are ineligible for conversion. In other words, you couldn't convert an Iranian CPL to an FAA CPL and then convert that FAA CPL to a TCCA CPL. That second step is a bridge too far. There are other conditions and limitations on the FAA to TCCA conversion, but I leave that to the research abilities of the pilot in question who would consider this avenue.
For all other licences, the most Transport Canada will do is recognize your experience and knowledge if you prove they meet the requirements of CARs Standard 421.30. Everyone except FAA holders must complete at least a practical flight test in addition to first obtaining a Canadian Category 1 medical.
I suggest you read this page to get you started towards licence conversion. Just make sure you have the right to immigrate and the right to work here before you even consider how to transfer the licence. Those are much bigger hurdles that are far more important to obtain before you consider the pilot licence. In fact, the pilot licence, although being most important to you, is always the last and easiest step in the whole process (and often the least expensive).
I see for the Canada Express Entry that an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required. At most that would validate that your CPL is equivalent to a Canadian CPL, but as I said, that does not grant you a Canadian CPL. Only an FAA licence can be converted to a Canadian licence in the truest sense of the word "convert". The big condition here is that any FAA certificate that was issued on the basis of another foreign pilot licence are ineligible for conversion. In other words, you couldn't convert an Iranian CPL to an FAA CPL and then convert that FAA CPL to a TCCA CPL. That second step is a bridge too far. There are other conditions and limitations on the FAA to TCCA conversion, but I leave that to the research abilities of the pilot in question who would consider this avenue.
For all other licences, the most Transport Canada will do is recognize your experience and knowledge if you prove they meet the requirements of CARs Standard 421.30. Everyone except FAA holders must complete at least a practical flight test in addition to first obtaining a Canadian Category 1 medical.
I suggest you read this page to get you started towards licence conversion. Just make sure you have the right to immigrate and the right to work here before you even consider how to transfer the licence. Those are much bigger hurdles that are far more important to obtain before you consider the pilot licence. In fact, the pilot licence, although being most important to you, is always the last and easiest step in the whole process (and often the least expensive).
Joined: Apr 2016
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
No. Immigration and pilot licencing are two different departments, and one does not impact the other. That is to say, you don't get a Canadian CPL by being granted entry into Canada.
I see for the Canada Express Entry that an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required. At most that would validate that your CPL is equivalent to a Canadian CPL, but as I said, that does not grant you a Canadian CPL. Only an FAA licence can be converted to a Canadian licence in the truest sense of the word "convert". The big condition here is that any FAA certificate that was issued on the basis of another foreign pilot licence are ineligible for conversion. In other words, you couldn't convert an Iranian CPL to an FAA CPL and then convert that FAA CPL to a TCCA CPL. That second step is a bridge too far. There are other conditions and limitations on the FAA to TCCA conversion, but I leave that to the research abilities of the pilot in question who would consider this avenue.
For all other licences, the most Transport Canada will do is recognize your experience and knowledge if you prove they meet the requirements of CARs Standard 421.30. Everyone except FAA holders must complete at least a practical flight test in addition to first obtaining a Canadian Category 1 medical.
I suggest you read this page to get you started towards licence conversion. Just make sure you have the right to immigrate and the right to work here before you even consider how to transfer the licence. Those are much bigger hurdles that are far more important to obtain before you consider the pilot licence. In fact, the pilot licence, although being most important to you, is always the last and easiest step in the whole process (and often the least expensive).
I see for the Canada Express Entry that an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required. At most that would validate that your CPL is equivalent to a Canadian CPL, but as I said, that does not grant you a Canadian CPL. Only an FAA licence can be converted to a Canadian licence in the truest sense of the word "convert". The big condition here is that any FAA certificate that was issued on the basis of another foreign pilot licence are ineligible for conversion. In other words, you couldn't convert an Iranian CPL to an FAA CPL and then convert that FAA CPL to a TCCA CPL. That second step is a bridge too far. There are other conditions and limitations on the FAA to TCCA conversion, but I leave that to the research abilities of the pilot in question who would consider this avenue.
For all other licences, the most Transport Canada will do is recognize your experience and knowledge if you prove they meet the requirements of CARs Standard 421.30. Everyone except FAA holders must complete at least a practical flight test in addition to first obtaining a Canadian Category 1 medical.
I suggest you read this page to get you started towards licence conversion. Just make sure you have the right to immigrate and the right to work here before you even consider how to transfer the licence. Those are much bigger hurdles that are far more important to obtain before you consider the pilot licence. In fact, the pilot licence, although being most important to you, is always the last and easiest step in the whole process (and often the least expensive).
The only limitation is if you do not hold an FAA IR. Than your FAA CPL will have a 50 NM restriction and no night CPL privileges (The FAA require any CPL that wish to carry passengers over 50 NM or at night to hold an IR).
So realistically you will be converting your IR (to a Group 3 IFR, unless you hold an FAA CMEL, in which it will be a Group 1 IFR) as well, which means an extra 25 question exam + an IPC done by a CFII from the past 24 month (your checkride will count as long as the DPE will sign an IPC statement). Don't forget to also get your radio operator certificate (FAA holders are exempt as long as they fly domestically) and your ICAO language exam.
Also worth noting - the FAA does NOT recognize any Iranian license, so a based on will NOT be issued. Also, as Iranian, your chances of being TSA approved, are slim (and I can't say I blame the TSA), which means you can NOT legally do any flight training in the US.
Joined: Oct 2007
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 120
From: Wherever I go, there I am
There isn't really a limitation to the conversion of FAA CPL to TCCA CPL.
However, many pilots on both sides of the border often see that there is a conversion process in place and they stop their research there. They don’t go on to see that the limitations for FAA to TC include no conversion for any qualifications not listed in the AC, an FAA license issued on the basis of another ICAO license, temporary FAA licences and certificates, a licence under suspension, a licence that does not have English language proficiency already listed, or that to even begin the process, the pilot must already have an appropriate TCCA medical completed.
While these are minor considerations for most, they are nevertheless limitations..
Joined: Apr 2016
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
For most pilots, you would be correct. - there are no limitations to consider for the average American pilot, other than the IR requirements you describe.
However, many pilots on both sides of the border often see that there is a conversion process in place and they stop their research there. They don’t go on to see that the limitations for FAA to TC include no conversion for any qualifications not listed in the AC, an FAA license issued on the basis of another ICAO license, temporary FAA licences and certificates, a licence under suspension, a licence that does not have English language proficiency already listed, or that to even begin the process, the pilot must already have an appropriate TCCA medical completed.
While these are minor considerations for most, they are nevertheless limitations..
However, many pilots on both sides of the border often see that there is a conversion process in place and they stop their research there. They don’t go on to see that the limitations for FAA to TC include no conversion for any qualifications not listed in the AC, an FAA license issued on the basis of another ICAO license, temporary FAA licences and certificates, a licence under suspension, a licence that does not have English language proficiency already listed, or that to even begin the process, the pilot must already have an appropriate TCCA medical completed.
While these are minor considerations for most, they are nevertheless limitations..
In my case, it came back to bite me when I had to renew my ADB. I got a message that I need to get to the assessment done (which I did and got my level 6 but still).
Joined: Apr 2016
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
In Canada it's also a CAME, not AME (which in Canada is equal to an A/P with IA)
If he does get category 3 medical, which also means he will need to wait for CAMO approval, than when he apply for a category 1 medical, his CAME will have to submit the application for CAMO approval as the CAME can only renew EXISTING conditions, not upgrading/add/remove them.
