Just got my E3 and started working in America, best decision I made for flying.

I think you need 5000hrs of jet time if you want to apply for NIW.

No because you don't have a licence for single pilot operations. You'd need a standalone PPL.

Are you
 

Are you Assie?

hopefully you can work out a way to transition for the E3 to a green card.

Not true, EB2 NIW is not a pilot's visa, so no minimum hours requirement. You need 10 years of experience working in your field, whatever that might be.

There might be no minimum hour requirement but I'm sure they will expect an applicant to have significant flying experience. I don't think 2000 hours as an ATR FO will cut it.

You're not applying for a job, you're applying for an immigrant visa, the immigration officer who will handle your case is not a pilot/airline/aviation expert, they handle cases from people of all walks of life, they see cases from teachers, doctors, lawyers, scientists, etc. They don't know whether 200 or 20,000 hours is good enough.

They ask for specific requirements, one being at least 10 years of experience in your field, and a lot depends on how you frame your case. If you meet the 10 year requirement, chances are you have way over 2,000 hours.

If you apply for this visa, don't think as a pilot looking for a job, think as what you are, an immigrant looking for a work visa.

Hi All,

I'm going down this route apply for the EB2 NIW. 20 years plus flying experience.

I did speak with Harvey Law, but I don't think that the assistance is worth the $10,000 they want to charge. Im pretty sure it's possible to submit a great application yourself. I've been through all of the paperwork required and there is only one part I'm not 100% confident on. That's the bit where you prove that your profession is of national interest to the USA. I can put a great case together, but it's hard to know exactly what they are wanting to see.

Has anyone here or anyone know anyone that has submitted a successful application?

Do you perhaps have some pearls of wisdom you could please share on this part of the application? Happy to take a DM if you'd rather not broadcast it.

Rick,

Wish I had some wisdom to offer but I don't. This whole visa thing is just sorcery and dark arts to me.

But I do have idle curiosity that generated a question: with 20 years flying experience in NZ, what would be your target flying position here in the USA ?

Good luck in your quest. Let us know how it went.

Hi Rick

you have to make the case that when you move to the USA what you have to offer as an aviator will benefit the greater good of the US and not just benefit the company you might work for.
It’s a difficult argument to make and takes a lot of thought to frame your argument.

Somewhere where they've got cowboy boots, cowboy hats and one of those trucks with the dualies that can spit fire.

In reality however, I'd look at anything, but preferably wide body or structured corporate jet operator.

Just gotta take a look at the pay rates, exchange rates and compare that to here.

Cheers

I’m not a lawyer, but I’ll give it a shot.

1. There is currently a shortage of qualified pilots in the U.S. aviation industry. The shortage of well qualified, experienced pilots required by the U.S aviation industry is even greater and increasing. Demand for qualified pilots exceeds supply. You are a well qualified pilot.

2. U.S. government policy is focused on reducing inflation. The Federal Reserve has identified higher wage growth as an inflationary factor. The current high wage growth within U.S aviation is directly attributable (in part) to the lack of qualified pilots and high demand. This wage growth negatively affects inflation.

3. The cost of flying has increased for the U.S. population. Ticket prices have risen. The inflation of ticket prices is fueled by high demand and low supply. The airline industry is able to raise prices due to high demand. This inflation is at odds with U.S. economic policy and the Federal Reserves stated goals. Airlines and U.S aviation in general have been unable to satisfy demand due to the low supply of qualified pilots. You are a qualified pilot.

You are a tiny cog in the giant solution to the pilot shortage, inflation and the U.S. economy ; )





[personally; I’m a big fan of the pilot shortage and high wage growth]

Hi everyone.I thought I'd share my experience of the EB2-NIW process for others thinking about it. ​​​​


First, I'll list my qualifications and experience. I'm a captain in Europe flying the 737 since 2008. I've been an instructor on the 737 since 2016 (2,500 hours). I have over 11,000 total hours and over 7,000 as PIC. Furthermore, I also have a four-year degree. ​​​​​​


I started the process with Jose Leon in Jacksonville (legalleon.com) in late May '22. Jose and his team were very helpful and all communication was (and is) very prompt and clear. A pilot himself, he recognized the experience I have and knew how to translate that experience into a relevant format, and into layman's terms, for USCIS case officers looking to see if I fulfilled the three-prong test. He worked with other lawyers and consultants to tailor my case as best as possible for the highest chances of approval. ​​​​​​


After much work and preparation, my case was filed in September '22. Just a few weeks later, it was approved by USCIS. I'm currently going through consular processing and should have my green card soon. ​​​​​​


i wouldn't hesitate to recommend Jose and his team if anyone is thinking about going this route. He is the best I've encountered, a pure professional. ​​



legalleon.com

Thanks for all the replies here.

737Pilotguy what was the cost of legalleon? Others seem to be in the realm of $10k USD

What people need is an example Petition Letter, this seems to be what your case lives or dies by. The rest is pretty straight forward in terms of the petition itself if you're going to compile it on your own.

One way to look at the cost of a lawyer is as an investement, but its also an investment in something which is still fairly new.

I spoke with a law firm yesterday. 485 applications submitted for EB2NIW, 80 returned and 50 or so approved first time up. That's enticing and with the building backlog it could be easiest to just jump in an invest the money rather than self petitioning.

737pilotguy,

Interesting info about your visa experience.

What would be your target job here in the USA ? I assume you understand how the seniority system works here ? Despite your excellent qualifications, you'd start as a junior F/O no matter where you got hired; that doesn't suit everyone who might have come from a different system.

And the cases of rapid upgrade at the legacy carriers here, while remarkable, might turn out to be ephemeral at best when the economy takes its inevitable downturn.

In any event good luck.

​​​​​​​Price was around $10k, yes. I wouldn't do myself this without the help of a qualified professional. Not when considering the possible career and potential earnings at a US major if successful... ​​​​​​​My target job would be one of the legacies, in the right seat yes. However, I don't know if you understand the European system over here? The highest possible salary as a line captain is around EUR 150k ($162k), and that's flying the 900 hour yearly limit. Any hopes for a higher salary and you need to take on a training position (which is still underpaid). Regarding the inevitable downturn for the next thing coming, most European pilots got majorly screwed during covid which has pushed so many past their limit. Job security isn't any better over here.

737pilotguy,

With a green card, you'd certainly be a candidate for a US legacy.

Hi Bafanguy

My Green Card is also approved and I’m trying to work out my next step. I’m currently an A320 captain 12k+ hours all jet some command hours also in corporate business jets. However I’m also 51 years old and wondering if I should go for left seat in a decent 135 operation or go right seat at a legacy. Are there many 50 year olds who join a legacy ? Would you have any advice ?

right seat legacy. Seniority list movement is crazy right now.

I’m in one of those unicorn part 91 gigs and love it, but they’re few and far between.