Aircraft Mechanic Info.
 

Hello. I know this is mainly a pilot forum, however, I know this is probably the best place for info on aviation visas. My previous director of maintenance in Botswana has recently converted his CAAB aircraft engineer cert to an FAA A/P in the hopes of finding work and moving his family to the US. He has about twenty years of experience as an aircraft mechanic, and is English fluent. Does anyone have any info I can pass on? I've called a few places I used to wrench and fly for, and they will not provide sponsorship for a Visa. He is willing to move anywhere in the US if it can get his family to the States. Thank you in advance.

I know nothing about getting US visas, but I think he is in for a challenge as Botswana is not well known and its aviation is sector is very small. Basically MRO's are KASAC, Northern Air and Air Botswana (also MAF).

Because it is so small it only holds the general African reputation for standard of maintenance.

He might also want to consider other countries in the interim as a stepping stone to the US.

Yes. I think he's originally from Zim. Unsure which passport he holds.

They were in the switch to ICAO when I lived there in 2014. Don't know the status now. I'll have to check in a few months when we head back. I'll post all the updates I can find on the Maun forum here.

Up until the recent announcements, I would have suggested the company I retired from, Bombardier, but in Canada not Wichita, KS. They do have a large maintenance presence all over so, if he's not set on an American employer, checking their website may be worthwhile - from personal experience, the Immigration experience is a lot easier in the Great White North.

The Zim guys I worked with in Bots were dam fine engineers.

Canada could be worth a look at, a few guys from Bots also ended up here in Australia.

That they were.

I'll ask him. Might be worth a look if he can still wrench and support his family.

I’m not sure about VISA sponsoring, but there is a dire need for qualified A&Ps in the U.S., just like pilots. I would advise him to reach out to every shop advertising on indeed.com or Jsfirm to inquire. VISA sponsorship might be worth it for some of these outfits.

Yeah I told him to start applying. All they can do is say no.