FAA Class 1 but no US entry
 

Hello everyone,

I’m reaching out to seek advice and insights regarding my aspirations of transitioning to a commercial airline career in the United States. Here’s a brief overview of my situation:

Currently, I hold a CAA Class 2 medical certification and am actively working towards obtaining my CFI license in the UK. My goal is to accumulate hours and experience with the hope of one day flying commercially. Unfortunately, a CAA Class 1 medical certificate is out of reach for me due to a neurological issue affecting the communication between my brain and eyes - meaning surgery is also not possible. This condition prevents me from pursuing a CAA Class 1 certification, though I hold an FAA Class 1 medical certificate, which does allow me to fly commercially in the U.S.

Given this, I am exploring pathways to transition to a commercial airline position in the U.S. after gaining experience as a UK CAA CFI. I am aware of the challenges surrounding sponsorship programs and am hesitant to pursue an FAA ATPL without some assurance of future employment, particularly since I would be on a student visa.

Additionally, I have a great-aunt in California who owns a small store. While I understand that this situation does not directly facilitate obtaining a green card (especially given that her business does not create a unique or essential employment opportunity), I am curious if there might be any indirect ways to leverage this connection for visa or residency purposes.

Given my situation and the fact that I hold dual citizenship with Armenia and the UK, I’m interested in any advice on how to best navigate this path (I have direct residency to countries such as Russia, China(?), Kazakhstan, Iran, etc), but I am not sure that these are countries that are particularly known for their aviation. Are there any strategies for securing employment or residency in the U.S. or other countries like Canada that might be applicable?

I would greatly appreciate any guidance or recommendations from those who have navigated similar challenges or have expertise in this area.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

bakerin

You might consider applying for a job as an EASA FI in one of the few ATOs in the US. That I believe is a position they can sponsor a visa for since it's very unlikely that a US citizen would have that certification. It's not an airline job but it is a foot in the door to change status, get married etc..

Thanks for your comment, understood, would an ATO want to sponsor me if the plan was to work for them for a bit and then leave them to pursue ATPL studies? Or do I not tell them that part? The main concern is going ahead with said plan, doing my FAA ATPL and finding out that I am being deported, left with a relatively useless ATPL. I'm aware that in life and your career it is necessary to take risks but it could be a very costly mistake.

What do you think?

Well they need FIs. They aren't stupid, that know people want to move on to bigger and better things and that's reflected in the salary. Obviously tell them what you think they want to hear. Once you're in the US on a non immigrant visa it's relatively easy to stay and get a green card. The hard part is picking the ring.

What do you mean? Your life goal has been to be an EASA syllabus teaching flying instructor in the states, has it not?

I know a few joint FAA/EASA CFIIs and examiners and I have to say they have a genuinely fantastic lifestyle.

Clarification
 

Picking the ring? Why is marriage relevant if it's relatively easy to stay and get a green card? Or is it relatively easy BECAUSE of marriage?

Anyone can get an FAA Class 1 medical. It doesn't entitle you to anything. You would need to tackle residency. (and licensing).

If you get a visa to go and convert your CFI certs that could open up possibilities.

Yeah, the main concern is the residency. As mentioned in previous posts my plan is to obtain my CFI license and ideally teach CAA / EASA in the US, working towards an FAA ATPL. The residency is really proving difficult at this current moment, and I do not plan to rely on getting married in my early 20s as my gateway into the country, but who knows, life moves fast.

Exactly. Marriage is probably the easiest route to a green card. Preferably to someone you like. I'm not suggesting a marriage of convenience, just a convenient marriage. If you plan to live there for a few years I'm sure you'll end up with a partner. No pilot expects the first three marriages to work anyway and it really is just $399 and a piece of paper. Compare that to studying for 5 years in an industry that you're not really interested in, just to get the green card so that you can become a pilot?

But is it really that simple? Like obviously the whole ceremony and whatnot is completely optional but how long is the whole application process? I've been told it can take years which means there must be better ways out there...

If you enter legally on a visa, you can apply for change of status and you're allowed to remain until a determination on your new status has been made.

1. Forget about the people trying to talk you into marriage, that is the dumbest recommendation they can give you.

2. You’re better off as a FAA CFI/CFII/MEI.
Trying to find work as an inexperienced CAA/EASA instructor is asking for drama.
There are only 2 (3?) ATO’s or satellites in the US and last time I checked none of them had a stellar reputation.
Also if I recall correctly an ATO or satellite only needs a properly CAA/EASA Chief flight instructor to supervise a bunch of FAA only instructors. That’s how these places stay in business. You won’t qualify to be Chief FI.
Those positions tend to be salaried and those people stay and protect their little turf.
3. Your options are to do your FAA training all the way through instructor ratings with a school that can get you a J1/F1 visa if that even still exists.
4. You don’t know what hat you don’t know and nobody blames you for not knowing.
5. Start looking at F1/J1 in the US and start looking at Canada. You’ve been told this all before.

6. Start looking at Tinder gold.