US Embassy says YES.

Take also a look at the first message of this thread

The answer appears to be a BIG YES

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.

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?

wishful thinking, this means that the school is now approved for m-1 visa and they can issue you a form I-20 for your visa application

Ah okay, I suspected it may be something like that.

Care to name the school as each new one is of interest.

I have done this a few times now. PM me if you want any info.

I presume you haven't paid up front?!:confused:

Only £300 for deposit. I wont pay anymore until I am out there.

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.

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.

:)

Thank you Mr Mutra.
What did you tell the immigration officer when you went through?

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.

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.

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.

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)

The Immigration officer at your point of entry into the USA is the decision maker as to whether you are allowed in, or not. You can wave any flavour of visa you like at him/her, if they don't like the look of you, then you are not coming in.

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.

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 !

Because I don't know any type rating training organization that issues m1 visas :sad:

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.

Hmmm, the type rating provider doesn't issue visas. Can you get a crew visa if your airline doesn't fly to the US?
They don't make this easy for people wanting to do the right thing.

Agree wholeheartedly.
It takes a little time and effort to organise a visa but the peace of mind is well worth the expense of both.

Imagine spending all that money plus the amount of your initial training only to lose your 'unrestricted' passport which is pretty much a general requirement for any airline work.

So how does one get a visa?
The course is 2.5 weeks and the type rating training organization doesn't issue visas. I had also heard that a consulate would not issue a visa for such a short time.

got this problem too:

the TSA asked me for a M1-F1 visa, but the school can not issue me such visa for 4 weeks.
the TSA did not give me the auhorisation for a type rating in the USA.
I lost my money!

I have talked to the TSA , they said I need a M1 visa or no type rating for me.:ugh:

TYPE RATING IN THE USA AND VISA REQUIRED
 

I inform you, if you are looking to make a JAA(or FAA) type rating in the USA, you need a M1 visa , and not a tourist visa like most people say here.

I have found only one school in florida, www.simcenter.cc. the problem they are not JAR. JAR TRTO in the USA do not issue M1 visa.

This visa thing is confusing me, so maybe someone can help.

My intention for visiting the USA is as an exchange/working exchange student, i have an J1 visa (Well hope so, interview soon), so whats the difference between and M1 and J1 visa as its all sooo confusing.

I think that if you were going to undertake a type rating over here the company which is organising the TR would be able to keep you informed regarding immigration status.
I wouldn't recommend anyone to take anything read on PPrune as truth especailly regarding Immigration issues. The US Embassy is just a phone call away and if you email the INS they are normally pretty good at replying.
If in doubt, check!

M1 - Normally non academic study in the US, which has a limit on the maximum length of the visa - could be 6 months - check.

J1 - Exchange visa which also allows you to work generally in the field assocaited with the visa. Normally 18 months, for flight training this can be extended to 24 months.

Your school should be able to help you with any questions you have. Ask to talk to the approved official if your answers aren't detailed enough - if not contact the INS - or whatever it's called nowadays.

More information can be found on the Immigration website regarding students.
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/index.htm

Contact the Immigration and the TSA.

it is the TSA which let you go in the sim.The TRTO need the "green light" from the TSA.

You can have the authorization from the Immigration and then be denied by the TSA.
this happened to me and I have finally learned they TSA want a M1 or a F1 visa if you want fly a simulator(even for 2 weeks).I do not talk about the money I have lost in this process.(application fee, finger prints, booking,....)
I have been instructed by the TRTO to go with my tourist visa. I have simply been denied by the TSA.

Some JAA schools will tell you you can enter with a US tourist visa or no visa. It is wrong...Some schools do not mention anything about TSA requirements.

Once you have paid and sign the contract, you discover it can take longer than expected. Personaly I do not suggest you to go to the USA for a type rating. You may save some money , but they can stop you anytime before your training or even during your training(and at your own cost).

the TSA has an info address, contact them and ask them what visa you need.

M-1 visa and more than one flight school
 

hey guys

have had a little search around and can't find anything which relates to this specifically.

I'm planning on going out to the States in August to get my FAA IR and then my JAA CPL. I'll be doing the IR in California and the CPL in Florida - well this is what I'm hoping! Does anyone know if you're allowed to go to 2 different schools on the M1 visa? or do you need 2 visas? I will be speaking to the schools about this but was just looking for a quick reply to get some vague idea!

cheers

type1

As far as I'm aware you can only train with the flight school named on your Visa and I-20. I may be wrong though!

I asked the same thing last year..here's the thread..hope this helps:ok:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=164841

great info pipergirl - thanks a lot!!

did you end up doing it in the end?

no probs...

no haven't headed over just yet..will be in the next few months that's if everything goes to plan ;)

Another exciting visa question!
 

am currently in a mad rush trying to organise an M1 visa to go to America in the middle of august! I've got my interview lined up on the 26th of July. Has anyone been through the process recently? Was just wondering how long it takes to get the visa back after the interview.

Also for the TSA approval - when filling out the online application it says it requires the visa number, as I won't have this until about 5 days before I intend to leave - does anyone know if the TSA approval is fairly instant or if I can arrive in the states before I have it and just wait to start the training?

Thanks guys!!

type1

All things being well the visa should be delivered back to you by the courier firm in about a week. I think mine arrived in 5 days !

I got mine last year the very next day!!!!

M-1 Pease any one can hellp
 

M-1 Visa please if any one can hellp
 

You have to go to the school on your visa and work with them to put through the transfer to the new school. However the new school as to be INS approved also.

Schools can't refuse to transfer you to another school if it's within the same field. Therefore, they have to transfer your visa if you ring them telling them you want to change school - all they have to do is "post you out" on the system to the other school (which will appear on the list because they have to be INS approved). The new school then just accepts your incoming application. All you need is a letter from your new school explaining this which you present to the immigration officer and all should be fine and dandy. I would however, expect to visit the immigration waiting room if flying into MCO - this is however, standard!

Therefore, if they start to throw their toys out the pram, say that you've visited the INS website and they can't refuse to do transfer you.

Good luck.