Training in the USA - Visa and TSA Requirements
The Oracle
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Training in the USA - Visa and TSA Requirements
After September 11, 2001, U.S. Immigration has started to enforce the visa requirement for flight training.
There has been alot of discussion on whether to lie to Immigration when entering the U.S. and say you are on holiday or getting an M-1 visa and entering the U.S. properly.
I figured that alot of people in this forum have not seen the M-1 visa and would be interested in knowing what is in the form. The Visa form is a single page with 11 sections. They are as follows:
1)
Family name:
First name:
Country of birth:
Date of birth:
Country of citizenship:
Admission number (complete if known):
2)
School name:
School official (to be notified of student's arrival in the U.S.):
School address:
School Code (include 3-digit suffix, if any) and approval date:
3) This certificate is issued to the student named above for:
(check and fill out as appropriate)
a. Initial attendance at this school.
b. Continued attendance at this school.
c. School transfer.
Transferred from:
d. Use by dependents of entering the U.S.
e. Other:
4) Level of education the student is pursuing or will pursue in the U.S.: (check only one)
a. High school
b. Other vocational school
5) The student named above has been accepted for a full course of study at this school majoring in:
The student is expected to report to the school not later than (date) and complete studies not later than (date) the normal length of study is
6)(check if required)
English proficiency is required:
The student has the required English proficiency.
The student is not yet proficient, English instructons will be given at the school.
Enghish proficience is not required because:
7) This school estimates the student's average costs for an academic term of (up to 12)months to be:
a. Tuition and fees $
b. Living expenses $
c. Expenses of dependents $
d. Other (specify) $
Total $
8) This school has information showing the following as the student's means of support, estimated for an academic term of months (Use the same number of months given in itme 7)
a. Students personal funds $
b. Funds from the school
(specify type) $
c. Funds from another source
(specify type and source)$
Total $
9 Remarks:
10
Signature of designated school offical:
Name of designated school official and title:
Date and place issued:
11
Signature of student:
Name of student:
Date:
Signature of parent or guardian (if student is under 18):
Name of parent or guardian:
Date:
Address of parent or guardian:
That is the entire form which is sent to the student with this information filled. The student takes it to the U.S. Embassy along with the form OF-156 (which is about to be replaced with the for DS-156). That is it for the M-1 visa.
Hope this clears up the M-1 visa.
Happy to Help,
Capt. Richard J. Gentil, Pres.
Naples Air Center, Inc.
There has been alot of discussion on whether to lie to Immigration when entering the U.S. and say you are on holiday or getting an M-1 visa and entering the U.S. properly.
I figured that alot of people in this forum have not seen the M-1 visa and would be interested in knowing what is in the form. The Visa form is a single page with 11 sections. They are as follows:
1)
Family name:
First name:
Country of birth:
Date of birth:
Country of citizenship:
Admission number (complete if known):
2)
School name:
School official (to be notified of student's arrival in the U.S.):
School address:
School Code (include 3-digit suffix, if any) and approval date:
3) This certificate is issued to the student named above for:
(check and fill out as appropriate)
a. Initial attendance at this school.
b. Continued attendance at this school.
c. School transfer.
Transferred from:
d. Use by dependents of entering the U.S.
e. Other:
4) Level of education the student is pursuing or will pursue in the U.S.: (check only one)
a. High school
b. Other vocational school
5) The student named above has been accepted for a full course of study at this school majoring in:
The student is expected to report to the school not later than (date) and complete studies not later than (date) the normal length of study is
6)(check if required)
English proficiency is required:
The student has the required English proficiency.
The student is not yet proficient, English instructons will be given at the school.
Enghish proficience is not required because:
7) This school estimates the student's average costs for an academic term of (up to 12)months to be:
a. Tuition and fees $
b. Living expenses $
c. Expenses of dependents $
d. Other (specify) $
Total $
8) This school has information showing the following as the student's means of support, estimated for an academic term of months (Use the same number of months given in itme 7)
a. Students personal funds $
b. Funds from the school
(specify type) $
c. Funds from another source
(specify type and source)$
Total $
9 Remarks:
10
Signature of designated school offical:
Name of designated school official and title:
Date and place issued:
11
Signature of student:
Name of student:
Date:
Signature of parent or guardian (if student is under 18):
Name of parent or guardian:
Date:
Address of parent or guardian:
That is the entire form which is sent to the student with this information filled. The student takes it to the U.S. Embassy along with the form OF-156 (which is about to be replaced with the for DS-156). That is it for the M-1 visa.
Hope this clears up the M-1 visa.
Happy to Help,
Capt. Richard J. Gentil, Pres.
Naples Air Center, Inc.
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Richard,
We genuinely do appreciate the unemotional, factual and very useful posts you write for wannabees but the sig line is getting a little bit cheeky - company slogan and all.
Rob Lloyd
We genuinely do appreciate the unemotional, factual and very useful posts you write for wannabees but the sig line is getting a little bit cheeky - company slogan and all.
Rob Lloyd
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I was hoping to attain a flight training visa without having a flight school before I go to Florida.
Does anyone know if this is possible because I would prefer to find a school when I get over there.
Does anyone know if this is possible because I would prefer to find a school when I get over there.
The Oracle
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EI-CD,
The whole point of the M-1 Visa is for you to go to the school that is sponsoring you for the Visa.
You could enter the U.S.A. on a B Visitors Visa and then when you find the school you want, have them change your Immigration Status to an M-1 Visa. During the time it will take to change you from a B to an M-1 you will NOT be allowed to train in any way.
There are more details in this thread:
Visa Requirements for Flying and Training in the U.S.A.
Happy Flying,
Capt. Richard J. Gentil, Pres.
Naples Air Center, Inc.
The whole point of the M-1 Visa is for you to go to the school that is sponsoring you for the Visa.
You could enter the U.S.A. on a B Visitors Visa and then when you find the school you want, have them change your Immigration Status to an M-1 Visa. During the time it will take to change you from a B to an M-1 you will NOT be allowed to train in any way.
There are more details in this thread:
Visa Requirements for Flying and Training in the U.S.A.
Happy Flying,
Capt. Richard J. Gentil, Pres.
Naples Air Center, Inc.
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Looks like the visa rules have changed again. The US Embassy in London is now requiring all those who want a non-immigrant visa (ie M1 etc) to attend the embassy for an interview.
But its all right, they say it will only take 4 hours out of your day - once you get there that is. After all, us Brits - who are standing shoulder to shoulder with our US allies in the fight against terrorism - have nothing better to do with our time than spend a morning explaining our last 10 years of holiday trips to some consulate type who thinks Edinburgh is in England.
It is not enough, it seems, to have to fill in three forms, including personal details of all your relatives, make a trip to a particular bank branch, give up your passport for 2 weeks, get a letter from your employer saying why it is they think you would prefer to stay in the UK and not emigrate to the US once you've finished and get tracked during your visit on the ISEAS student tracking system. And then there is the bit about being fingerprinted when you arrive.
Welcome to the land of the free...
Still, I suppose I should be grateful...at least I'm not Arab.
And no, if you are a US citizen coming to the UK to study, you don't need to attend an interview, you don't even need a visa.
For details - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web...iv/january.htm
But its all right, they say it will only take 4 hours out of your day - once you get there that is. After all, us Brits - who are standing shoulder to shoulder with our US allies in the fight against terrorism - have nothing better to do with our time than spend a morning explaining our last 10 years of holiday trips to some consulate type who thinks Edinburgh is in England.
It is not enough, it seems, to have to fill in three forms, including personal details of all your relatives, make a trip to a particular bank branch, give up your passport for 2 weeks, get a letter from your employer saying why it is they think you would prefer to stay in the UK and not emigrate to the US once you've finished and get tracked during your visit on the ISEAS student tracking system. And then there is the bit about being fingerprinted when you arrive.
Welcome to the land of the free...
Still, I suppose I should be grateful...at least I'm not Arab.
And no, if you are a US citizen coming to the UK to study, you don't need to attend an interview, you don't even need a visa.
For details - http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web...iv/january.htm
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Well it looks like it is South Africa for me then...I am just not prepared to undergo this treatment.Shame really as I love the States and flying there but I have my limits and this is beyond them.I feel sorry for the schools out there.They are the ones who are going to suffer especially now as SA is becoming a viable althernative.
Beet
Beet
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Beethoven
Trouble with your idea Beet is the Crime.
I know someone who went over there for the month but returned after two weeks....couldn't deal with the high level of crime and living like a prisoner....took all the enjoyment out of it. Everything had a wire fence around it and most were electric.
Guess is depends where in the Country you go as there are some lovely areas but most would want to fill out the paperwork and go to a known quantity. The stories I have heard are crazy. One said that he had to pay a kid to look out for his car when he went shopping because if he refused payment his car would not be safe!
Just to let you all know, about 10 years ago the process at the US Embassy was quite similar and they had slackened off. It is also interesting to know that it only seems to be US Embassy in the UK who has these new changes. I feel that the government believe that as we are in cohoots with the US that we should be careful from all around.
I know someone who went over there for the month but returned after two weeks....couldn't deal with the high level of crime and living like a prisoner....took all the enjoyment out of it. Everything had a wire fence around it and most were electric.
Guess is depends where in the Country you go as there are some lovely areas but most would want to fill out the paperwork and go to a known quantity. The stories I have heard are crazy. One said that he had to pay a kid to look out for his car when he went shopping because if he refused payment his car would not be safe!
Just to let you all know, about 10 years ago the process at the US Embassy was quite similar and they had slackened off. It is also interesting to know that it only seems to be US Embassy in the UK who has these new changes. I feel that the government believe that as we are in cohoots with the US that we should be careful from all around.
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I have a question....I posess a B1/B2 Visa and an Aircrew C1/D Visa as a professional airline pilot with a UK Carrier. I also hold FAA Cpl/IR and CFI/MEI Licences in addition to my CAA Atpl.
In a year or so I would like to renew my CFI ticket.
Will I have to undergo this 3rd degree grilling in order to do so?
Secondly, I am the co owner of a US registered twin which is based on the West Coast USA with my partner being a US Citizen.
Am I now restricted from flying my own bird when on holiday?
In a year or so I would like to renew my CFI ticket.
Will I have to undergo this 3rd degree grilling in order to do so?
Secondly, I am the co owner of a US registered twin which is based on the West Coast USA with my partner being a US Citizen.
Am I now restricted from flying my own bird when on holiday?
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aztruck,
Interesting question...Few observations that may help you. INS doesnt care how many visas you have in your passport it only cares for which visa you enter the US with. This then better correspond to what you are actually doing...For example...if you enter with your Airline Crew C1/D visa and you are on vacation they that could cause a problem because you are not actually doing what the visa is intendet for.
You can sum up visa requirements with what you intend to do. For example if you are going to school then you need a student visa. If you happen to go on vacation while you are at school your main intend is still to be a student even though you are currently on vacation...have I confused you enough
If you are flying your own airplane and not actually enrolling in a school then a Tourist visa should suffice..but this is where it gets tricky...if you enroll in a school (for a CFI renewal) and fly with an instructor it may not fall under "vacation" and a Tourist Visa would NOT be enough...bottom line a lot is up for interpretation and believe it or not the US embassy employees which actually work for the state department don't always agree with INS which is Dept. of Justice. So I would advise you if you are going to renew your CFI to add another visa to your collection and get a M-1 Student Visa and use that when you enter...of course talk to the officer when you arrive and simply ask him. I noticed that they are getting much friendlier and helpful and if you have a good attitude about it they will too...
Take care!
Interesting question...Few observations that may help you. INS doesnt care how many visas you have in your passport it only cares for which visa you enter the US with. This then better correspond to what you are actually doing...For example...if you enter with your Airline Crew C1/D visa and you are on vacation they that could cause a problem because you are not actually doing what the visa is intendet for.
You can sum up visa requirements with what you intend to do. For example if you are going to school then you need a student visa. If you happen to go on vacation while you are at school your main intend is still to be a student even though you are currently on vacation...have I confused you enough
If you are flying your own airplane and not actually enrolling in a school then a Tourist visa should suffice..but this is where it gets tricky...if you enroll in a school (for a CFI renewal) and fly with an instructor it may not fall under "vacation" and a Tourist Visa would NOT be enough...bottom line a lot is up for interpretation and believe it or not the US embassy employees which actually work for the state department don't always agree with INS which is Dept. of Justice. So I would advise you if you are going to renew your CFI to add another visa to your collection and get a M-1 Student Visa and use that when you enter...of course talk to the officer when you arrive and simply ask him. I noticed that they are getting much friendlier and helpful and if you have a good attitude about it they will too...
Take care!
Flies for fun
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Is S.A. survivable?
Beethoven,
I'm off to a place around 300miles from J'bourg at the beginning of Jan to do some flying.
If I get back alive I'll report how good or bad it is in S.A.
I'm off to a place around 300miles from J'bourg at the beginning of Jan to do some flying.
If I get back alive I'll report how good or bad it is in S.A.
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Aztruck,
The simplest thing for you to do is do your renewal online. There are plenty of refresher courses available. I know jepessen and asa, king have them. I know they are not expensive but don't know what they entail.
As for flying your aircraft if you are not doing any training in it towards a rating you CAN fly it on your tourist visa. This is to the best of my knowledge, dealing with a lot of international students at the flight school I work at in the US.
The simplest thing for you to do is do your renewal online. There are plenty of refresher courses available. I know jepessen and asa, king have them. I know they are not expensive but don't know what they entail.
As for flying your aircraft if you are not doing any training in it towards a rating you CAN fly it on your tourist visa. This is to the best of my knowledge, dealing with a lot of international students at the flight school I work at in the US.
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oh yes, u can be train during the change of an B1/2 visa to an M1 visa.U can even be trained on your B1/2 visa.
here my secret (do not tell to a US officer, they will place u on the terrorist list).enter in the USA with a B1 or b2 visa.
when in the USA, go in a fixed based operator (FBO), take some business card you will find around.Call several CFI, ask them if they have a plane to rent and the next day u will fly in the wonderful US sky.
the pilot in command has final authority (PArt 61,????), INS has no authority on a pilot in command.
it's the law!
here my secret (do not tell to a US officer, they will place u on the terrorist list).enter in the USA with a B1 or b2 visa.
when in the USA, go in a fixed based operator (FBO), take some business card you will find around.Call several CFI, ask them if they have a plane to rent and the next day u will fly in the wonderful US sky.
the pilot in command has final authority (PArt 61,????), INS has no authority on a pilot in command.
it's the law!
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