UK Pilot Moving To America & TSA CLEARANCE
 

Hi everybody,
I am a newly qualified EASA rated pilot with CPL/IR on MEL/SEL through CAE Oxford Aviation Academy. While I was doing my training in Phoenix I met a girl. Cut a long story short we decided to get married and for me to move to America (as it has always been my dream). I would be pursuing a flight instructor job so I will be training to earn my FAA CFI/CFII/MEI
We have applied for a K1 visa which allows me to enter to USA to get married and then apply for my green card. As the processing times for green card are over 1 year in the mean time the US government give me an EAD (Employment Authorization Document). My real question is about TSA clearance. Can I get TSA clearance on this EAD(work permit)? I know I can for a green card but I can't find any information anywhere if I can get it on this document.
In terms of the conversion of license I am familiar with the process and have been in contact with a flight school close by but even they are unsure if I will be able to do this.

If anybody has input or further information that will help me I would greatly appreciate it.


Thank you very much

Congratulations. You'll be fine, The TSA are checking for threats, not the ability to work. You'll upload your scanned EAD/Greencard to the website and they'll process it. Note (i.e., don't be me..) ALWAYS upload BOTH SIDES of ANY document/license..

you met your girl at KGYR ? great place , brings back memories

Don't forget to apply for an Advanced Parole if you wish to leave the US eg holiday, or you happen to find work that involves flying in & out of the country. Advanced Parole lets you leave & re-enter the US without ruining the waiting period for the green card. Without it, you scupper your green card application if you leave the US.

Been there, done that - good luck :ugh:

Didn't you consider flying an airbus for a few years in Europe right after flight school (like your mates from oxford) and then going to the us with 3/4000 jet hours?
You are young and these first years are crucial to your career, you have plenty of time to be in the us..
Good luck

thanks everybody for your response sounds like its not a problem. Has anybody gone through the TSA clearance on the K1 visa?
I did consider flying in Europe for a few years but certain circumstances persuaded me to go the states e.g. type rating costs, cost of living plus my fiancé has an awesome job in the states that if she moved to London she wouldn't get nearly as much money so its a compromise but as long as I'm getting paid to fly in the states I'm happy.

As far as I know, you only need the TSA clearance to conduct flight training in the U.S. (i.e. getting your type rating). If you have the right to work, you should be fine, with nothing more than the background checks that the hiring company will conduct.