Training in the USA - Visa and TSA Requirements
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US Embassy says YES.
Take also a look at the first message of this thread
The answer appears to be a BIG YES
Take also a look at the first message of this thread
The answer appears to be a BIG YES
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I looked at a couple of type ratings (CJ) last year and they are required to fly the actual aircraft for an hour or so and take the test in it as well so not not strictly be all sim work.
Julian.
Julian.
m1 visa..again
Second question for this week! Never having done any flight training in the States I know nothing about the Visa process.
The school in America that I am going to in October has just announced ..."great news that they can now issue the m1 visa." Does this mean I do not have to go to the US embassy in London or is that wishful thinking?
The school in America that I am going to in October has just announced ..."great news that they can now issue the m1 visa." Does this mean I do not have to go to the US embassy in London or is that wishful thinking?
Last edited by youngskywalker; 3rd Apr 2006 at 18:55.
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Need a US visa for a type rating?
Heading US way next month for a type rating, got all of the TSA stuff done, but do I need a visa? The type rating people say no need it is all fine under the visa waiver and they have a lot of people doing that.
The info online is unclear.
Is there anything online that I can print out to show the immigration officer if he queries it?
I don't believe I need a visa, but these days I would feel a lot more comfortable if i had something in writing.
The info online is unclear.
Is there anything online that I can print out to show the immigration officer if he queries it?
I don't believe I need a visa, but these days I would feel a lot more comfortable if i had something in writing.
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If the training provider says you dont need one then you dont. I used the visa waver program when i completed my tr. so if i where you worry about the TR course.
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I needed a Visa for the ME, I think if you are training a visa is required no?
I could be wrong, but would hate to think you might get turned around at the airport! If you have a doubt, check with the Embassy or the FTO.
I could be wrong, but would hate to think you might get turned around at the airport! If you have a doubt, check with the Embassy or the FTO.
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in the USA, they speak 2 different languages.
DHS says you need a tourist visa or a visa waiver and
the transport security administration (TSA)want a m1 or a f1 visa.
if you are screened by the TSA, and your school is not under the I-20 program(course of 1 year) , they will deny your application.Your school is apparently not under the I-20 program.
if you are not screened by the TSA , you will receive an authorisation.
it is just a question of luck.
actually , many students like you have already been denied and have lost their money.
You will know after the 30 days waiting period.
if you are denied expect an answer like this: "we have reviewed your application, as you are ineligible to enter in the USA, we can not process with your application."
or if accepted:" you have been granted authorisation...."
I think this problem come from the 9/11 families' associations who think it is scandalous that foreign students pilots can have access to these big simulators with no visa when a visa M1 is required for a cessna 152.
I would suggest you to wait their answer before paying for the course, if the TSA follow their procedure, you won't be accepted as the only visa accepted are M1-F1-J1.
I think more and more student are refused until a new type of visa is issued by the immigration and approved by the TSA (tourist visa is not approved by the TSA).
please,keep me/us in touch about your application.
DHS says you need a tourist visa or a visa waiver and
the transport security administration (TSA)want a m1 or a f1 visa.
if you are screened by the TSA, and your school is not under the I-20 program(course of 1 year) , they will deny your application.Your school is apparently not under the I-20 program.
if you are not screened by the TSA , you will receive an authorisation.
it is just a question of luck.
actually , many students like you have already been denied and have lost their money.
You will know after the 30 days waiting period.
if you are denied expect an answer like this: "we have reviewed your application, as you are ineligible to enter in the USA, we can not process with your application."
or if accepted:" you have been granted authorisation...."
I think this problem come from the 9/11 families' associations who think it is scandalous that foreign students pilots can have access to these big simulators with no visa when a visa M1 is required for a cessna 152.
I would suggest you to wait their answer before paying for the course, if the TSA follow their procedure, you won't be accepted as the only visa accepted are M1-F1-J1.
I think more and more student are refused until a new type of visa is issued by the immigration and approved by the TSA (tourist visa is not approved by the TSA).
please,keep me/us in touch about your application.
Last edited by dartagnan; 27th Jul 2006 at 21:29.
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I received the following answer from a flight school in the states :
There has always been a lot of "talk" around about these visas. Of course,
the few flight schools that offer them will tell you that it is absolutely
necessary.
But if you are coming to the US primarily for the purpose of "vacation",
the tourist visa is good for up to 90 days. The key word is "primarily".
So........if coming over, you would state your purpose of the visit is for
vacation only (and not mention anything else).
Immigration's own website will read that a student visa is NOT needed if
you would be in a course of study that is less than 22 hours per week of
classroom OR less than 18 hours per week of "practical" study.
There has always been a lot of "talk" around about these visas. Of course,
the few flight schools that offer them will tell you that it is absolutely
necessary.
But if you are coming to the US primarily for the purpose of "vacation",
the tourist visa is good for up to 90 days. The key word is "primarily".
So........if coming over, you would state your purpose of the visit is for
vacation only (and not mention anything else).
Immigration's own website will read that a student visa is NOT needed if
you would be in a course of study that is less than 22 hours per week of
classroom OR less than 18 hours per week of "practical" study.
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it is not the immigration who decides if you can enter in the USA for flying lessons or not, it is the TSA.
Schools tell you what they know, based on immigration laws and not on TSA laws.
School are restricted by the TSA and the TSA tries to overpower the Immigration.
Legally they can, under the US law, do whatever they want , they can deport you, put you in jail, or even use tortures...you have no right, no attorney, and you can not sue the DHS (Department of Homeland Security).
in my point of view, the TSA tries to not recognise some types of visa, (the tourist visa by exemple), and in this case they restrict "self sponsored" students to have access to simulators. (the terrorist of 9/11 were "self sponsored")
Be very prudent with what TRTO tell you. If you are found illegal in the USA or you try to lie to an immigration officer, you could be bared for the next 10-20 years.It would be better to have all documents with you at the port of entrance and explain your real attention.
Going to the USA under a commercial program is a different story. In this case the tourist visa or visa waiver is "accepted" by the TSA.it means you have to be hired and sent to the USA by an airline for a type rating.
(sorry for my mistakes)
Schools tell you what they know, based on immigration laws and not on TSA laws.
School are restricted by the TSA and the TSA tries to overpower the Immigration.
Legally they can, under the US law, do whatever they want , they can deport you, put you in jail, or even use tortures...you have no right, no attorney, and you can not sue the DHS (Department of Homeland Security).
in my point of view, the TSA tries to not recognise some types of visa, (the tourist visa by exemple), and in this case they restrict "self sponsored" students to have access to simulators. (the terrorist of 9/11 were "self sponsored")
Be very prudent with what TRTO tell you. If you are found illegal in the USA or you try to lie to an immigration officer, you could be bared for the next 10-20 years.It would be better to have all documents with you at the port of entrance and explain your real attention.
Going to the USA under a commercial program is a different story. In this case the tourist visa or visa waiver is "accepted" by the TSA.it means you have to be hired and sent to the USA by an airline for a type rating.
(sorry for my mistakes)
Last edited by dartagnan; 29th Apr 2006 at 14:03.
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Originally Posted by dartagnan
it is not the immigration who decides if you can enter in the USA for flying lessons or not, it is the TSA.
The TSA has nothing to do with this process. With regard to flight schools, what they do is police the security aspects of foreigners training for a rating in the USA.
Both Agencies are separate divisions of the Department for Homeland Security.
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As noted by a poster:
Immigration's own website will read that a student visa is NOT needed if
you would be in a course of study that is less than 22 hours per week of
classroom OR less than 18 hours per week of "practical" study.
I have done recurrents and initial type ratings now at Flight Safety, the shortest was the recurrent, and that was 3 days of 8 hrs each in a row, so even a recurrent would need a student visa.
Just get a visa, end of story!
If you or someone else is investing the money in a type rating or recurrent then why try and skimp on something as easy as a visa !
Immigration's own website will read that a student visa is NOT needed if
you would be in a course of study that is less than 22 hours per week of
classroom OR less than 18 hours per week of "practical" study.
I have done recurrents and initial type ratings now at Flight Safety, the shortest was the recurrent, and that was 3 days of 8 hrs each in a row, so even a recurrent would need a student visa.
Just get a visa, end of story!
If you or someone else is investing the money in a type rating or recurrent then why try and skimp on something as easy as a visa !
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Our company (JAA one) gets every one a B1/B2 & C1/D visa for the US. We do our type ratings there and renewals as well.
When I went to do a renewal the bloke at the desk stamped "B1".
(I had done the initial in Dubai).
Personally, for a type rating, I'd get the visa.
When I went to do a renewal the bloke at the desk stamped "B1".
(I had done the initial in Dubai).
Personally, for a type rating, I'd get the visa.