Indian DGCA CPL/ATPL conversion for foreign nationals with OCI status
 

Hi guys, I born in Indian but currently I am an overseas citizen of India commonly known as OCI cardholder with foreign passport. I am starting this thread to get some inside information who has gone through the process of Indian DGCA CPL/ATPL conversion being an OCI but NOT as an Indian national.
I have intensively studied all the threads on the forum related to issues that guys had faced being an OCI but all those information are few years old.

With my online search & reading old post on this forum, I noticed that DGCL CPL & ATPL is only issued to the Indian National /Indian passport holder. OCI is not an Indian passport & person holding OCI is not considered Indian National anyway so DGCA will not issue CPL/ATPL

During my search, I also found that DGCA computer number could be issued to OCI & also has been issued to OCI which is the 1st step but need clearance from the Ministry of home affairs prior to DGCA could issue the computer number. & some guys have also passed the exam & medical & did the required training but at the final stage the license got rejected by DGCA because the person has to be Indian Citizen in order to get DGCA CPL.

I request to Aviation Community to help each other by providing some information who has knowledge of the described situation or if someone has been through the process.

Akumar,

You can not get an Indian CPL or ATPL unless you hold an Indian passport. Many people who I trained with were from India. The ones who retained the Indian passport had little trouble getting an Indian CPL. All the ones who had taken a foreign passport could not get an Indian licence.

There is no secret or trick to getting a licence conversion for non Indian passport holders. It is impossible.

And yet a “foreign national” can obtain a FAA licence.
What is the reasoning behind the Indian Government legislation?

do they allow a validation of an ICAO ATPL?

Indian DGCA allows FATA which is “foreign aircrew temporary authorization “ for the non-Indian passport holders. To qualify for FATA need PIC time of type minimum 500 PIC on A320/737/330/777 & 100 PIC for BE20.

OCI can get a computer number from DGCA
OCI can also pass the written exams
OCI can also do DGCA class 1 medical
OCI can go to a flight school
Airlines are allowed to hire DGCA CPL /ATPL holder with OCI
Indian could go to NZ, Canada, USA, and get CPL training but an OCI can't get Indian DGCA CPL / ATPL being a non-Indian passport holder even DGCA is part is ICAO.

I just do not get it, how even this possible.

Climb150

Which year you are talking about?

Give up the unequal struggle. Get your licence in your resident country or that country which issued your passport. Is an Indian licence so important when FAA / EASA exist ?
Then see if you can qualify for an Indian passport....

Recently spoke to Chimes Aviation Academy, who tell me it is possible for an OCI holder to convert their license to DGCA CPL. Just need to get the security clearance to get started

Why don't you file an RTI with DGCA? DGCA will have to give you the right law and details. If as per the RTI you can get the license then along with your application for CPL/ATPL attach the RTI reply. And you will get the license.

I suggest you use a lawyer for this process.

DGCA 2021 exams advice
 

Hello fellow captains .
I am appearing for DGCA cpl this year and RTR as well although I'm trained in helicopters. Anyway , would like to connect with others going through the same . Let me know if anyone is appearing for DGCA and RTR. Also if you are in Mumbai :)

have you completed your DGCA atpl cg exam?

Hello All,

Canadian ATPL, OCI, aadhar holder here. Sent my documents last month in order to obtain a computer number. Five sets including the security clearance form. It says the docs have been accepted but under review. I did attach the aadhar card as well. Had to visit Ajmer to apply for the board verification letter which they told me will be sent directly to the DGCA
Can someone please shed some more light on the timeline or recent experience in such case. Anything else I could possibly do to speed up the process? DGCA has been super prompt in answering my emails I must say.

Thanks!

Hey buddy how did your conversion process go.any updates...could you shed more light on how to go about the entire process in detail

Any further updates to this process? I read this from DGCA which was helpful.

bumping.

Am an OCI about to apply for Computer Number. Need to get the security clearance done as well.
How did you all go about getting the Board Verification Certificates?

Any one know of what and how long the process is to convert a UK CAA and or EASA (I'm dual-licenced) to an Indian DGCA CPL MEP MEIR? I hold an OCI and I was born in India but am now a foreign national.

Appreciate everyone's support!