Foreign pilots now allowed to apply for a Green Card?
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 37
Likes: 4
From: EU
Hey guys hope you are doing fine.
I present you my case to see if anyone could help me.
I am an A320 FO with 2000+ hours and 23 years old and I am planning to go to the US to work there as I have a lot of family there and conditions are 1000 times better than Europe.
Short story my dad is a US citizen but never did any permit or green card 🥲 and because now I am older than 21 I need to go through the green card process as a son of a US citizen older than 21 which is 5+ years.
What I was wondering is if even that I do not have 10 years of experience, because 10 years ago I was 13, if I could apply to this “Pilot VISA” because I am the son a US citizen. I know is a hard question and if anyone knows a lawyer that could help me it would be super.
Also last topic and thank you for reading, is it hard to get a sponsorship from an airline in the US? And do you know any pilot with a sponsorship that I could contact ? Because that is my other option, to convert my EASA license to ATP and try to get a sponsorship.
Thank you very much guys, safe flights.🤘🏻✈️
I present you my case to see if anyone could help me.
I am an A320 FO with 2000+ hours and 23 years old and I am planning to go to the US to work there as I have a lot of family there and conditions are 1000 times better than Europe.
Short story my dad is a US citizen but never did any permit or green card 🥲 and because now I am older than 21 I need to go through the green card process as a son of a US citizen older than 21 which is 5+ years.
What I was wondering is if even that I do not have 10 years of experience, because 10 years ago I was 13, if I could apply to this “Pilot VISA” because I am the son a US citizen. I know is a hard question and if anyone knows a lawyer that could help me it would be super.
Also last topic and thank you for reading, is it hard to get a sponsorship from an airline in the US? And do you know any pilot with a sponsorship that I could contact ? Because that is my other option, to convert my EASA license to ATP and try to get a sponsorship.
Thank you very much guys, safe flights.🤘🏻✈️
Sorry to say, but if you're currently outside of the US, the F1 final action date is still at January 2015. You're looking at nine years wait time. I'd still start the process, alot will happen in the meantime. The wait will always be long, you might as well start the waiting period asap.
There is no specific "pilot visa" as you say. An EB2 visa is an employment-based visa based on your exceptional abilities and experience. Having family ties to the US won't help speed things up or make you any more qualified. I have family living in the US and this was not a factor in my petition and approval.
Finally, I am not aware of any airline sponsoring work visas to the US. I know Atlas sponsored H1B before but I think that's not the case anymore. Some regionals used to (Mesa, Skywest) sponsor E3 work visas to Australians as well. I don't know if that's still the case. But those visas are also temporary work visas, not immigration visas.
Start the F1 process and wait. Apply for the DV lottery and hope. Good luck.
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville, Florida
We just received an approval for a pilot with just widebody FO experience and an advanced degree. This was premium processing and no RFE.
With that said, the direct approval to RFE ratio is around 1:3 and pilots with stronger profiles are getting them.
With that said, the direct approval to RFE ratio is around 1:3 and pilots with stronger profiles are getting them.
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: home
Hi everyone, I can present you my case
I have been approved NIW, having around 9000 h mostly Boeing, involved in training for about 5 years, altogether in industry for about 15 years. I also have bachellor degrees in economics and mech. engineering. From EU, I have used one of the respected law firms for application, paid a lot of money for it, but must say they were very professional and competent. I was warned that there is no guarantees, so I went into it with my mind set that all the money and time spent can be for nothing, but I was lucky at the end. So now I am waiting for my date for visa...
I am actively working now on my license conversion. If anyone is looking for a sim partner or just someone to share some experiences about conversion or job search, you can contact me.
Good luck to everyone looking for a change!
I have been approved NIW, having around 9000 h mostly Boeing, involved in training for about 5 years, altogether in industry for about 15 years. I also have bachellor degrees in economics and mech. engineering. From EU, I have used one of the respected law firms for application, paid a lot of money for it, but must say they were very professional and competent. I was warned that there is no guarantees, so I went into it with my mind set that all the money and time spent can be for nothing, but I was lucky at the end. So now I am waiting for my date for visa...
I am actively working now on my license conversion. If anyone is looking for a sim partner or just someone to share some experiences about conversion or job search, you can contact me.
Good luck to everyone looking for a change!
Hi, Skipper21, can you share what law firm you used? And what Center processed your application?
Yhank you
Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 118
From: USA
Just out of idle curiosity, after people go to the considerable time/effort/expense of getting these visas, where do they find airline work in the USA...LCC, regional, legacy, ACMI, fractional ?
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Manchester
Hi Guys,
Does anyone have any experience as to how long embassy interview appointment takes in the ME? Date is current and has been for several months and yet still no update regarding an interview date. Any advice is much appreciated.
Does anyone have any experience as to how long embassy interview appointment takes in the ME? Date is current and has been for several months and yet still no update regarding an interview date. Any advice is much appreciated.
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 37
Likes: 4
From: EU
I'd recommend trying to find a Facebook group, or to ask on visajourney forums. The wait time for an interview after your PD is current varies wildly depending on the embassy. Good luck.
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 72
From: Village of Santo Poco
Hi,
I'm an High School senior international student from Sweden, I would like to become a pilot in the US but I don't know if its possible due to the fact that I can't get a job without a Green Card. I don't know if I should study at an university in the US and do flight school with hopes of getting a green card or if I should go back to Europe and try to get a job there. Does anyone know what would be the best for me?
I'm an High School senior international student from Sweden, I would like to become a pilot in the US but I don't know if its possible due to the fact that I can't get a job without a Green Card. I don't know if I should study at an university in the US and do flight school with hopes of getting a green card or if I should go back to Europe and try to get a job there. Does anyone know what would be the best for me?
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Internet
Fantastic wealth of information on this thread and interesting to see the highs/lows from people's personal experience
I'm looking at foreign options and have been offered a role in Australia. Does anyone know if it would be possible to get a citizenship in Aus (4 years with a valid visa) and then transfer using the Aussie E3 method to USA?
I'm looking at foreign options and have been offered a role in Australia. Does anyone know if it would be possible to get a citizenship in Aus (4 years with a valid visa) and then transfer using the Aussie E3 method to USA?
Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 118
From: USA
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: USA
Not sure why you are applying for a green card (of course we don't know all the facts here) but some thoughts:
If you were born in another country and one of your parents is a U.S. citizen, you might become a U.S. citizen at birth if your parent lived in the U.S. for a certain time before you were born. If you didn't become a U.S. citizen at birth, you might still be able to become one because of your U.S. citizen parent. This is called "derivation of citizenship."
The wait time should be shorter.
If you were born in another country and one of your parents is a U.S. citizen, you might become a U.S. citizen at birth if your parent lived in the U.S. for a certain time before you were born. If you didn't become a U.S. citizen at birth, you might still be able to become one because of your U.S. citizen parent. This is called "derivation of citizenship."
The wait time should be shorter.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Limbo
Gents,
I would appreciate any info from anyone who is in the process of applying for a EB2 visa.
I sent all the paperwork and petition last days of December 2023. Now 5 months later the USCIS replies asking for " additional evidence ".
I want to know if this is a "good" or a "bad" sign regarding my application? Anybody experienced this and what was the outcome? My feeling is that it's the beginning of a possible "reject" cause I have sent everything I got to show them my experience and commitment to obtain the work permit. I am also feeling that maybe my age, 56, could be a reason they will reject me.
What do you think? Any comments?
Thank you.
I would appreciate any info from anyone who is in the process of applying for a EB2 visa.
I sent all the paperwork and petition last days of December 2023. Now 5 months later the USCIS replies asking for " additional evidence ".
I want to know if this is a "good" or a "bad" sign regarding my application? Anybody experienced this and what was the outcome? My feeling is that it's the beginning of a possible "reject" cause I have sent everything I got to show them my experience and commitment to obtain the work permit. I am also feeling that maybe my age, 56, could be a reason they will reject me.
What do you think? Any comments?
Thank you.
Joined: Jan 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 303
Likes: 6
From: NA
RFE of "request for further evidence" is a second chance to restate your case. It is not a rejection, or that would have happened already.
Did you use a lawyer?
Read the RFE letter carefully, and answer their requests using their own words. Feel free to PM for a more detailed conversation.
Good luck!
Did you use a lawyer?
Read the RFE letter carefully, and answer their requests using their own words. Feel free to PM for a more detailed conversation.
Good luck!
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 987
Likes: 197
From: Mexico City
I never said RFE was a rejection. I said it's usually a prelim to a rejection if you have already supplied all the documents and evidence you have. If it's asking for something you didn't submit then there is a chance.
I know 2 people that had EB2 NIWs rejected at RFE because they could not prove how their experience was unique, or a shortage of people with his qualifications existed in the USA.
I know 2 people that had EB2 NIWs rejected at RFE because they could not prove how their experience was unique, or a shortage of people with his qualifications existed in the USA.
Last edited by Climb150; 1st June 2024 at 01:01.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Limbo
Thank you awair and Climb150 for your inputs.
Yes I did use a lawyer and they told me they are figuring out what other evidence we could provide.
But I do have a feeling they are looking for excuses to reject me. I will try to find more references from previous and actual airline I'm flying for but this process it's like going to the Casino.
Yes I did use a lawyer and they told me they are figuring out what other evidence we could provide.
But I do have a feeling they are looking for excuses to reject me. I will try to find more references from previous and actual airline I'm flying for but this process it's like going to the Casino.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: North America
I entered the US last week. No problems with CBP. now I am waiting for my Social Security card and the physical green card to be mailed to me.
Does anyone know if some Part 91 Ops is hiring. Would appreciate the help.
Does anyone know if some Part 91 Ops is hiring. Would appreciate the help.