Becoming a pilot as a Ukrainian citizen
 

Hello everyone,

I'm a Ukrainian currently living in Ireland and exploring opportunities to become a pilot. There's an AFTA Ryanair mentored program available, but the cost of 102,500 euros is quite steep for me, especially since I may not qualify for a bank loan, even with a job offer from Ryanair. I do not hold Irish citizenship, and I'm curious about potential pathways to become a pilot in the U.S. or Europe without significant upfront costs.

I've found a flight school in Hungary where I might be able to get my PPL and CPL (including IR + CMEL, though I'm unsure about MCC or Type Rating availability in their program). What are the requirements for converting an EASA license to an FAA license? Do I need to accrue 1000+ flight hours for this conversion? My dream is to move to the U.S. and work as a pilot, but obtaining a green card or work permit seems challenging.

Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much for your help!