Training & Flying in America: Visa information
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53
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From: USA
U.S. to remove flight schools from J-1 visa program
Big changes ahead for U.S. flight schools and their foreign students. It will be interesting to see how it plays out, especially for those already enrolled and looking forward to that extra year of time-building CFI work in the U.S.
News from HAI (abridged for this post): "Helicopter Association International (HAI) has learned that a State Department announcement is expected shortly that will remove all flight training schools from the Exchange Visitor Program. This program has brought hundreds of thousands of students, including many thousands of pilot trainees, to the United States on J-1 visas since 1961.
Unlike the conventional student visa (M-1), the J-1 visa allows its holder to remain in the United States for a total period of two years during which time he or she completes approximately one year of formal training followed by one year of practical work experience as a flight instructor.
The United States has been a leader in aviation training for many decades, and changes to our immigration policy with regard to foreign flight training are likely to cause a substantial reduction in the number of foreign students trained in the U.S. Further, as the number of foreign flight students declines, there is concern that many flight schools will be forced to close their doors."
News from HAI (abridged for this post): "Helicopter Association International (HAI) has learned that a State Department announcement is expected shortly that will remove all flight training schools from the Exchange Visitor Program. This program has brought hundreds of thousands of students, including many thousands of pilot trainees, to the United States on J-1 visas since 1961.
Unlike the conventional student visa (M-1), the J-1 visa allows its holder to remain in the United States for a total period of two years during which time he or she completes approximately one year of formal training followed by one year of practical work experience as a flight instructor.
The United States has been a leader in aviation training for many decades, and changes to our immigration policy with regard to foreign flight training are likely to cause a substantial reduction in the number of foreign students trained in the U.S. Further, as the number of foreign flight students declines, there is concern that many flight schools will be forced to close their doors."
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Down Under
Re J1 Visas.
I couldn't find any reference to this on the HAI website.
I wonder will existing J1 visa holder be able to continue their employment and or training if this rumour is true. Pprune is a rumour network after all!
If it is indeed true then big changes will be afoot in the US flight training market.
47DB
I couldn't find any reference to this on the HAI website.
I wonder will existing J1 visa holder be able to continue their employment and or training if this rumour is true. Pprune is a rumour network after all!
If it is indeed true then big changes will be afoot in the US flight training market.
47DB
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 51
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From: Western Oz
theres something on http://www.verticalreference.com in the flight training forum. Not exactly the news i was wanting seeing as I go out on a J-1 visa in june!
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: South Wales
After the new pilot checks with the TSA, that have just been implemented and the millions of $ that foreign pilots bring to the US economy every year, I find it hard to believe that there gonna stop the J-1 program (for pilot training).
I'm on the J-1 program and have heard nothing about.
Blue side up!!!
I'm on the J-1 program and have heard nothing about.
Blue side up!!!
Tits up
Cool as a moosp
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 802
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From: Mostly Hong Kong
...and even better for Canadian flight schools. You've now got the whole of South America as your catchment area. Go Canuks!
As for the spin off for the European schools, don't hold your breath. Southern hemisphere is still way cheaper, and most seasons have a better weather factor for training. OZ, NZ, SA, Brasil are looking good.
Maybe TSA stands for "To Stop Aviation."
As for the spin off for the European schools, don't hold your breath. Southern hemisphere is still way cheaper, and most seasons have a better weather factor for training. OZ, NZ, SA, Brasil are looking good.
Maybe TSA stands for "To Stop Aviation."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 202
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From: UK
Surely removing flight schools from the J1 scheme doesn't have to stop people from attending courses, simply being allowed to work in the US afterwards?
(Though I guess they'd have to extend the validity of the M1 visa to a year in that case.)
Maybe a compromise can be reached?
Well, I *was* supposed to be attending HAI this September for a year, but since I've yet to sell my house that was looking increasingly unlikely anyway. Maybe my best bet is to stay put for the moment at least...
Si
(Though I guess they'd have to extend the validity of the M1 visa to a year in that case.)
Maybe a compromise can be reached?
Well, I *was* supposed to be attending HAI this September for a year, but since I've yet to sell my house that was looking increasingly unlikely anyway. Maybe my best bet is to stay put for the moment at least...
Si
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2
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From: Florida
I'm pleased to report that this issue seems to have been resolved. Last Wednesday the J-1 Program manager sent us a letter stating that we could not have additional visas because they were about to announce the termination of the program. The letter gave the impression that it would be immediate. Since then a lot of political water has passed under the bridge and today I received a phone call from the same gentleman with an entirely different story. He told me he would immediately authorize all the visas we want and that it would be at least two years before any substantive changes take place. He thinks that the program will transfer into the Department of Homeland Security for management purposes but will remain otherwise unchanged.
This is a big relief for us of course. I think the Program manager jumped the gun and did not anticipate the speedy reaction from the aviation community, especially the Helicopter Association and AOPA. We've put up with a lot of silly new rules since 9/11 and there comes a point where enough is enough.
The bottom line is that this mini-crisis appears to be resolved and anyone planning on coming to the States on a J-1 should not worry about whether it will be available. For those of us in the business we have some work to do to make sure that the promises we received today will hold up for the future.
Patrick Corr
President,
Helicopter Adventures, Inc.
This is a big relief for us of course. I think the Program manager jumped the gun and did not anticipate the speedy reaction from the aviation community, especially the Helicopter Association and AOPA. We've put up with a lot of silly new rules since 9/11 and there comes a point where enough is enough.
The bottom line is that this mini-crisis appears to be resolved and anyone planning on coming to the States on a J-1 should not worry about whether it will be available. For those of us in the business we have some work to do to make sure that the promises we received today will hold up for the future.
Patrick Corr
President,
Helicopter Adventures, Inc.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 53
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From: USA
gennochio - The only link I have is a survey at http://www.rotor.com/0516survey.htm to gather impact feedback. As of this date there is no press release on the Helicopter Assn' website. My post was partial text of an e-mail sent to Helicopter Association International membership who perform training.
Based on Patrick's post, who is in the know as a Helicopter Association board member as well as one of the largest training providers, this appears to have been nipped in the bud, hopefully permanently, by the quick reflexes of the organized aviation community.
Based on Patrick's post, who is in the know as a Helicopter Association board member as well as one of the largest training providers, this appears to have been nipped in the bud, hopefully permanently, by the quick reflexes of the organized aviation community.
J-1 visa regulations.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 259
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From: Oz
Hi Morten
You're only allowed to work in something directly related to your field of study and only with the specific permission and written approval of your flight school.
As far as I understand it, it's not very grey at all!
You're only allowed to work in something directly related to your field of study and only with the specific permission and written approval of your flight school.
As far as I understand it, it's not very grey at all!
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Allovertheplace
Originally Posted by i4iq
Hi Morten
You're only allowed to work in something directly related to your field of study and only with the specific permission and written approval of your flight school.
As far as I understand it, it's not very grey at all!
You're only allowed to work in something directly related to your field of study and only with the specific permission and written approval of your flight school.
As far as I understand it, it's not very grey at all!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 259
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From: Oz
Because it's supposed to be work experience as a CFI - which is what you have trained to become.
Check out http://www.visapro.com/J1/J1-Visa.asp and the FAQ section.
Bizarre thing is, if you were married, your wife could apply for a work permit and be able to do whatever she liked!
Check out http://www.visapro.com/J1/J1-Visa.asp and the FAQ section.
Bizarre thing is, if you were married, your wife could apply for a work permit and be able to do whatever she liked!