Training & Flying in America: Visa information
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Needs updating
This thread really needs a good updating.
So much has changed from when this thread got meaty.
Alot of the posts I see here are from guys that have been at HAI, got their qualifications and left & gotten jobs LOL.
The supply and demad has changed a lot too as has the schools mentioned here.
Am I missing somethings here?
HF
So much has changed from when this thread got meaty.
Alot of the posts I see here are from guys that have been at HAI, got their qualifications and left & gotten jobs LOL.
The supply and demad has changed a lot too as has the schools mentioned here.
Am I missing somethings here?
HF
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I don't think much has changed. You can still get an M1, or a J1 via Bristow Academy/Hillsboro. Plenty of CFI jobs in the USA, if you have R22 time, unless you get hired by Bristow Academy (no guarantees though). Bristow Academy are still very very busy, so finishing in the timescales they quote might be an issue. Bristow Academy is still the only place that offers JAA CPL(H) training outside the EU.
Post J1, either marry a US person, start your own business (big investment), work illegally in the US, or go to Canada/South America/Africa/Oz/New Zealand (again, visa issues). Or (as a Brit), come back to Blighty spend a wad on the JAA IR and head up to Aberdeen, or spend a bit more on a JAA FI and carry on instructing for a pittance in the UK.
As I see it that's it.
Post J1, either marry a US person, start your own business (big investment), work illegally in the US, or go to Canada/South America/Africa/Oz/New Zealand (again, visa issues). Or (as a Brit), come back to Blighty spend a wad on the JAA IR and head up to Aberdeen, or spend a bit more on a JAA FI and carry on instructing for a pittance in the UK.
As I see it that's it.
land of the free...
Can someone explain to me why, as the USA's biggest and best allies, the Brits are persona non grata when it comes to work permits? We don't even get any freebies in the green card lotto. If this thread has been run before... shoot me
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Visa ands TSA
Hello aviators,
I hope this is the right thread to place my question about helicopter add on rating.
I hold a FAA fixed wing commercial licence and like to add a helicopter class rating to it.
What type of TSA check is required and what type of visa?
I do not have any intensions of instructing or working in the U.S ! Just adding a helicopter to my licence for personal pleasure.
Thanks for any help.
I hope this is the right thread to place my question about helicopter add on rating.
I hold a FAA fixed wing commercial licence and like to add a helicopter class rating to it.
What type of TSA check is required and what type of visa?
I do not have any intensions of instructing or working in the U.S ! Just adding a helicopter to my licence for personal pleasure.
Thanks for any help.
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griffothefrog
i think back in the 80s the UK was suffering from a 'brain drain' of doctors, lawyers etc moving to the US, so thatcher put the kybosh on the visa lottery etc to the US. Making things much more difficult.
i think back in the 80s the UK was suffering from a 'brain drain' of doctors, lawyers etc moving to the US, so thatcher put the kybosh on the visa lottery etc to the US. Making things much more difficult.
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no Green card lottery for UK citizens (MAINLAND)
griffothefrog and local lad,
I dare to disagree with such uninformed and biased opinion.
Yes, it's true that Brits still need visa to US for flight training and longer stay, but look at it this way,
HOW MANY Eastern Europeans or Latinos get their visa denied for some petty reason even if true intentions? WAY MORE than Irish or Brits.
It's all about 'overstaying chances' which are way slimmer for Brits in the US.
I just got my M1 visa appl approved today in Belfast US Consulate. Since I'm going on Czech passport (not even my Slovak as Slovaks have it sh***ier for visas than Czech nationals) though owning up to having Slovak papers as it's required and I've been to US before on summer work visa..
Trust me, I've got my waiting job as the only 'ties to country' and prepared my registration certificate (until full residence and passport) in the UK, career break confirmation they didn't even ask for, certificates from previous years of my life in the UK to show that I'm settled (not forever in aviation).
I didn't feel so confident bearing in mind inequalities in citizenships...
TSA is needed for private, instrument, multi-engine (FW).
I can't even go to US on visa waiver summer 2009 to build some hours.
I got visa in pipeline (literally, as passport has to wait till 1st of March) for PPL H training in summer. So far so good.
BACK TO TITLE OF MY REPLY.
Well, GC or DV ('Diversity Visa') lottery allowances are based on average and/or total number of citizens of a specific country going to the US to live there. Whether they estimate illegals, can't tell right now.
Truth is, the only countries not qualifying are the ones that 'send' lots of folks to US. So there's 'no need for diversity visa programme' for them.
One can claim DV lottery eligibility (or, US call it 'country of chargeability') from birthplace country if citizens, OR ACCORDING TO COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP OF SPOUSE. IE, if you're British with say, Algerian wife, you can enter lottery but have to fill it out accordingly. You and your wife/husband can both enter separately, doubling the chance of being drawn.
Then, there's that thing with 'numbering', if you get high number, due to delays and immigrant places taken up by wives and dependent kids, one can forget about finishing the paperwork in time if over 15-20k mark 'case number'. as the won't invite you for chat in time.
GOOD THING IN THIS FOR SOME UK CITIZENS IS THAT PERSONS BORN IN NORTHERN IRELAND DO, I REPEAT DO, QUALIFY FOR DIV VISA LOTTERY.
They consider NI separate country, though part of one state - UK, for the purpose. All you need is to be born in NI even if you never set foot back again. It doesn't matter. I did mine, living in the UK based on birth elsewhere.
ALSO, DON'T moan about not having special treatment. What about Working Holiday Visas? Australia, NZ, Canada, etc etc. I'm starting to get perks with Czech passport such as WHV to NZ from 2004 and Canada from about now.
Still, not Aussie. I'll get that from 2010 with UK passport, but who knows if I'll have time then.
Australia has even smarter system for visas. They require everyone to have visa, but for many countries as a tourist, kind of VWP, it's a matter of online ETA application. No need to go anywhere and feel like beggar asking for visa.
Plus, their assessment levels are different according to purpose of the visit. Even what kind of studies one intends to engage in. Ie Brits are more likely to overstay on certain student visas than other ones, so there are slight differences. Still, if you're AL 1 or 2, you are likely to be able to change or extend visa while in Australia. Not like me and many others..
check it out yourself if you're eligible and want to give it a shot.
Next application window is from October 2008 for about two months.
http://dvlottery.state.gov
I dare to disagree with such uninformed and biased opinion.
Yes, it's true that Brits still need visa to US for flight training and longer stay, but look at it this way,
HOW MANY Eastern Europeans or Latinos get their visa denied for some petty reason even if true intentions? WAY MORE than Irish or Brits.
It's all about 'overstaying chances' which are way slimmer for Brits in the US.
I just got my M1 visa appl approved today in Belfast US Consulate. Since I'm going on Czech passport (not even my Slovak as Slovaks have it sh***ier for visas than Czech nationals) though owning up to having Slovak papers as it's required and I've been to US before on summer work visa..
Trust me, I've got my waiting job as the only 'ties to country' and prepared my registration certificate (until full residence and passport) in the UK, career break confirmation they didn't even ask for, certificates from previous years of my life in the UK to show that I'm settled (not forever in aviation).
I didn't feel so confident bearing in mind inequalities in citizenships...
TSA is needed for private, instrument, multi-engine (FW).
I can't even go to US on visa waiver summer 2009 to build some hours.
I got visa in pipeline (literally, as passport has to wait till 1st of March) for PPL H training in summer. So far so good.
BACK TO TITLE OF MY REPLY.
Well, GC or DV ('Diversity Visa') lottery allowances are based on average and/or total number of citizens of a specific country going to the US to live there. Whether they estimate illegals, can't tell right now.
Truth is, the only countries not qualifying are the ones that 'send' lots of folks to US. So there's 'no need for diversity visa programme' for them.
One can claim DV lottery eligibility (or, US call it 'country of chargeability') from birthplace country if citizens, OR ACCORDING TO COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP OF SPOUSE. IE, if you're British with say, Algerian wife, you can enter lottery but have to fill it out accordingly. You and your wife/husband can both enter separately, doubling the chance of being drawn.
Then, there's that thing with 'numbering', if you get high number, due to delays and immigrant places taken up by wives and dependent kids, one can forget about finishing the paperwork in time if over 15-20k mark 'case number'. as the won't invite you for chat in time.
GOOD THING IN THIS FOR SOME UK CITIZENS IS THAT PERSONS BORN IN NORTHERN IRELAND DO, I REPEAT DO, QUALIFY FOR DIV VISA LOTTERY.
They consider NI separate country, though part of one state - UK, for the purpose. All you need is to be born in NI even if you never set foot back again. It doesn't matter. I did mine, living in the UK based on birth elsewhere.
ALSO, DON'T moan about not having special treatment. What about Working Holiday Visas? Australia, NZ, Canada, etc etc. I'm starting to get perks with Czech passport such as WHV to NZ from 2004 and Canada from about now.
Still, not Aussie. I'll get that from 2010 with UK passport, but who knows if I'll have time then.
Australia has even smarter system for visas. They require everyone to have visa, but for many countries as a tourist, kind of VWP, it's a matter of online ETA application. No need to go anywhere and feel like beggar asking for visa.
Plus, their assessment levels are different according to purpose of the visit. Even what kind of studies one intends to engage in. Ie Brits are more likely to overstay on certain student visas than other ones, so there are slight differences. Still, if you're AL 1 or 2, you are likely to be able to change or extend visa while in Australia. Not like me and many others..
check it out yourself if you're eligible and want to give it a shot.
Next application window is from October 2008 for about two months.
http://dvlottery.state.gov
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I've said it before, but it bears repeating. Come first on an M1 visa, get your Private and 50 hours into your commercial, then return and come back on a J1. That way you get the maximum time out of your J1, and if your in Oregon, adverse weather doesn't have such an affect on your competitiveness when you go looking for a job....
Or, if you go somewhere else, going M1/J1 gives you more time to get your 1000 hours PIC and then go to OZ/Canada etc... or look at it this way, more time to find an american bird to marry.
Or, if you go somewhere else, going M1/J1 gives you more time to get your 1000 hours PIC and then go to OZ/Canada etc... or look at it this way, more time to find an american bird to marry.
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The USA looks at the UK and France as the new threat from Muslim Radicals. So the TSA looks real close at all visas coming from you folks...Reality sucks but that's the world we live in.
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US Training schools that offer J1 visas?
Hoping someone out there can help me, as I am currently looking at the option of training in the US and obtaining a J1 visa to do so.
I have tried "Google" to find schools that offer the J1 visa and so far I only have come up with Bristow and pelican in the Florida area.
If any one can help with other options and opinions on the school it would be greatly appreciated
I have tried "Google" to find schools that offer the J1 visa and so far I only have come up with Bristow and pelican in the Florida area.
If any one can help with other options and opinions on the school it would be greatly appreciated
Hillsboro Aviation in Oregon is the other major school. Gotta hurry up though, the J1 program ends at the end of this year as far as i know.
That means your J1 will still be valid if you have one, but you won't be able to apply for a new J1 after that date!
That means your J1 will still be valid if you have one, but you won't be able to apply for a new J1 after that date!
You need to speak to an immigration lawyer about it, but generally the answer is: No.
I was in a similiar situation a couple of months ago (working in the US on a J1, been offered a permanent job if work visa could be obtained... no chance).
There are a few different kinds of work visa available (I forgot what they were, I think it's "H" visa thoug), but non of them can be applied to helicopter pilots. Basically, they are all just for positions that at least require 4-year degrees, or people with very special qualifications such as scientists or professors. Pilots do not qualify.
Obtaining a company sponsored permanent work permit (greencard) is generally possible, but it is a very lengthy process and the waiting list is several years. Also, a helicopter pilot position would not qualify anyways, because there are plenty of helicopter pilots in the US already, and it would not be possible for the emploeyer to proof that they couldn't just hire a US citizen for the job.
Sorry for the bad news. Feel free to go talk to an immigration lawyer yourself, you may have other options.
edit: just saw that you are a flight attendant, not a pilot, sorry. I don't think this changes the situation though.
I was in a similiar situation a couple of months ago (working in the US on a J1, been offered a permanent job if work visa could be obtained... no chance).
There are a few different kinds of work visa available (I forgot what they were, I think it's "H" visa thoug), but non of them can be applied to helicopter pilots. Basically, they are all just for positions that at least require 4-year degrees, or people with very special qualifications such as scientists or professors. Pilots do not qualify.
Obtaining a company sponsored permanent work permit (greencard) is generally possible, but it is a very lengthy process and the waiting list is several years. Also, a helicopter pilot position would not qualify anyways, because there are plenty of helicopter pilots in the US already, and it would not be possible for the emploeyer to proof that they couldn't just hire a US citizen for the job.
Sorry for the bad news. Feel free to go talk to an immigration lawyer yourself, you may have other options.
edit: just saw that you are a flight attendant, not a pilot, sorry. I don't think this changes the situation though.
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Only the company can get one for you, and that's extremely hard (almost impossible) You'd better marry your boyfriend as all problems will be sorted then, you can get a provisional Green Card that way.
I have a Question.
I hold a FAA PPL/H.
Can I do some Hour Building in America while working on the J1 Visa over the Summer Period? I haven't been over in 4 years so not sure whats changed!
Cheers.
I hold a FAA PPL/H.
Can I do some Hour Building in America while working on the J1 Visa over the Summer Period? I haven't been over in 4 years so not sure whats changed!
Cheers.
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I think you can do some hours as long as it's not towards a rating or certificate. And if I remember rightly the J1 is no more and it was only good for 2 years once issued! I may be wrong. That has been known before 
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4 months summer 'J1' is Summer Work/Travel subcategory of J1, not the 'aviation 2 year J1'. Sure you can do whatever you wish. It's proper work visa..
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Naples accommodation
I'm thinking of doing my flight training at NAC and i would like to rent an apartment close by - I'm also willing to share apartment with another student but having my own bedroom....any suggestions?
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Work permit for spouse
Hello all!
I plan to head to hillsboro aviation next year for a 0 to CFII training on a F-1 visa. I will go together with my spouse - and basically she will get a F-2 visa. Unfortunately she wont get a work permit on a F-2 visa... But it will be essentially that she can find work. I assume that finding a sponsor for an internship to get an J-1 visa for her in the same area (portland) for the same period of time (as my helicopter training) will be a tricky task.
Any advices and experiences made are appreciated!
Thanks and regards!
Florian
I plan to head to hillsboro aviation next year for a 0 to CFII training on a F-1 visa. I will go together with my spouse - and basically she will get a F-2 visa. Unfortunately she wont get a work permit on a F-2 visa... But it will be essentially that she can find work. I assume that finding a sponsor for an internship to get an J-1 visa for her in the same area (portland) for the same period of time (as my helicopter training) will be a tricky task.
Any advices and experiences made are appreciated!
Thanks and regards!
Florian
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Hey guys,
its an old thread, but I wannna update it a little bit, because I am planning already doing my helicopter licence since 3 years and detected a few things.
First of all, for internationals in the US who want to get out with as much hours as possible, itīs crucial to get the F1 visa which allows you to study in the first year and (hopefully) get a job in the second year for building up hours up to 1000 before you get kicked out of the USA if you will get no work permit.
There are 3 big schools in the US who are allowed to issue the F1-Visa: Bristow, Hillsborrow and Mauna Loa Helicopters.
So if you want to do the training as an international its crucial to choose one of the three.
I wanted to start with my training in the first Q2016 at Mauna Loa, but since the ******* Euro droped that hard against the US-Dollar, that forced me to do levelling in new options. But! the US got the biggest benefit with their F1 visa against all other countries on the world where you are able for doing a study like this (please correct me if I am wrong and tell me the countries which have the same benefit) and you are more then less forced of doing the training there if you want to get nearly realistic chances as professional on that competitive market.
Therefore, I wanted to ask you if someone got already experience with the F1 visa?
Is it easy to get and would there be good chances to get after the training a job as CFII for hour building before getting deported, or are the chances that low, that the F1 would be senseless (90% advertising) and it would be better doing the training on any other school on the world with the standard 1 year study visa?
appreciate your feedback,
BR, Rusty
its an old thread, but I wannna update it a little bit, because I am planning already doing my helicopter licence since 3 years and detected a few things.
First of all, for internationals in the US who want to get out with as much hours as possible, itīs crucial to get the F1 visa which allows you to study in the first year and (hopefully) get a job in the second year for building up hours up to 1000 before you get kicked out of the USA if you will get no work permit.
There are 3 big schools in the US who are allowed to issue the F1-Visa: Bristow, Hillsborrow and Mauna Loa Helicopters.
So if you want to do the training as an international its crucial to choose one of the three.
I wanted to start with my training in the first Q2016 at Mauna Loa, but since the ******* Euro droped that hard against the US-Dollar, that forced me to do levelling in new options. But! the US got the biggest benefit with their F1 visa against all other countries on the world where you are able for doing a study like this (please correct me if I am wrong and tell me the countries which have the same benefit) and you are more then less forced of doing the training there if you want to get nearly realistic chances as professional on that competitive market.
Therefore, I wanted to ask you if someone got already experience with the F1 visa?
Is it easy to get and would there be good chances to get after the training a job as CFII for hour building before getting deported, or are the chances that low, that the F1 would be senseless (90% advertising) and it would be better doing the training on any other school on the world with the standard 1 year study visa?
appreciate your feedback,
BR, Rusty
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I am in the process of training with Mauna Loa. I live in the UK and applied for their professional pilot programme. I had to go through an application process with them I also had to prove that I have enough money to support myself whilst over there.
This all went ok and they sent me an I 20. I then went onto the U.S. Website and went through all there forms which culminated in visiting the U.S. Embassy in London (you als have to supply your fingerprints to another U.S. Agency that is separate to the visa applications)
I went to the embassy had an interview which lasted approx 1 minute and the visa was approved!.
I now have an F1 visa as of about 3 weeks ago. I'm doing my ppl at the moment and just waiting for the weather to clear and then take my skills test, and then an r22 rating. As soon as this has been done I'm off to Hawaii.
The whole process has been simple but protracted. Just itching to get over there now.
As for work in Hawaii a good percentage of graduates do get accepted to become instructors after graduation but there are no guarantees.
This all went ok and they sent me an I 20. I then went onto the U.S. Website and went through all there forms which culminated in visiting the U.S. Embassy in London (you als have to supply your fingerprints to another U.S. Agency that is separate to the visa applications)
I went to the embassy had an interview which lasted approx 1 minute and the visa was approved!.
I now have an F1 visa as of about 3 weeks ago. I'm doing my ppl at the moment and just waiting for the weather to clear and then take my skills test, and then an r22 rating. As soon as this has been done I'm off to Hawaii.
The whole process has been simple but protracted. Just itching to get over there now.
As for work in Hawaii a good percentage of graduates do get accepted to become instructors after graduation but there are no guarantees.