Foreign pilots now allowed to apply for a Green Card?
Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 118
From: USA
If so, can you provide a link to the specific documentation for it ?
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 37
Likes: 4
From: EU
That's just not a very good comment... of course anyone can apply for the EB2 visa. However, the chances of getting approved are not high (according to my experience with my colleagues). I was fortunate to have the required background and experience to convince the US government that giving me a green card is also in their best interest. I am now starting with a large 121 operator 👍 ymmv
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: HONKINOMORE
I think there is a misconception about EB2. This visa is not geared for pilots only, it’s available for anyone that meets the criteria, on a fiscal year, applicants compete for a limited number of visas available and within the group of applicants there are doctors, engineers, pilots, etc… those approved will then go on to submit paperwork to NVC (stage 2) and then wait on another cue for NVC to give the approval or request for more documents and so on. That visa number again is for many professionals and this year I believe was 160000 for 2024 FY. It will drop back to 140K for 2025 most likely. The previous number were bigger because of unused visas during 2019 and 2020 (due to C19). Besides this comes the filing and cutoff dates, so it’s another cue to wait after NVC approves and sends documents to an embassy. You may have been approved on a specific year, but it will depend on the visa bulletin when you will advance through the process.
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: EU
Hi guys,
Is there any helicopter pilot (not airplane, as the market is different) recently start the EB2 application and get a feedback from the authority?
Did you apply alone or via a lawyer? I am wondering where you find some draft letters to help yourself.
Did you apply directly inside the US, or via the embassy?
Safe landings.
Is there any helicopter pilot (not airplane, as the market is different) recently start the EB2 application and get a feedback from the authority?
Did you apply alone or via a lawyer? I am wondering where you find some draft letters to help yourself.
Did you apply directly inside the US, or via the embassy?
Safe landings.
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Canada
My EB-2 NIW RFE response just got rejected and I am looking for other options to get to the US as a pilot. Anyone have experience with the E-2 visa route? Apparently if your spouse buys a US business (needs about 100K investment) then you get a non-immigrant US work visa based on that which can be used to secure a US pilot job. Issue with the E-2 is that it doesn't directly lead to a green card and most US airlines require either a green card or citizenship for employment.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 214
Likes: 8
From: 43N
Permanent Residency is something one applies for after some years in US of living or working on visa/ permission to stay
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 135
Likes: 9
From: NAT-HLA
No. Foreign pilots merely could submit an EB2-NIW petition which, if approved, leads to permanent residency (known as green card). It's a very complex case and as it was mentioned here plenty of times, really depending on how it is put together (preferably by a seasoned immigration lawyer who knows what they're doing - lot of scammers out there) as well as on the USCIS case officer who approves, RFE-s, or denies it.
Joined: Jan 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 303
Likes: 6
From: NA
My EB-2 NIW RFE response just got rejected and I am looking for other options to get to the US as a pilot. Anyone have experience with the E-2 visa route? Apparently if your spouse buys a US business (needs about 100K investment) then you get a non-immigrant US work visa based on that which can be used to secure a US pilot job. Issue with the E-2 is that it doesn't directly lead to a green card and most US airlines require either a green card or citizenship for employment.
Most E2 treaties refer to citizens of the other country, meaning that any spouse could run the business, allowing the potential for the pilot to obtain unrestricted work authorisation. Due to the age of the US British treaty (1830s?), it refers to ‘residents’. So if you and (British) spouse have been living overseas recently (not resident in UK), they are not eligible to apply for an E2 to support your flying aspirations.
Also note that E2 is non dual-intent.
Sorry don’t have a reference to hand, but each country has a separate treaty which should be easily searchable.
Good luck.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,697
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From: Wanaka, NZ
Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 118
From: USA
This is a daunting, expensive and frustrating process. If I may ask, what jobs in the USA do you have your eye on ? There must be a target for the effort it takes to get this visa.
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 253
Likes: 16
From: Augusta, Georgia, USA (back from Germany again)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: FL 410
I would like to join one of the 3 majors. I’m a CPT in a European Airline, 33 years old and I don’t see myself getting old in European aviation market. I also like US culture, geography and lifestyle.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: FL 410
I know the situation but it’s something I had to try, hope you can understand me.
I’ve a bit of training experience and a Safety role in my airline, hoping those will help.
I didn’t convert my licenses yet, unfortunately
I’ve a bit of training experience and a Safety role in my airline, hoping those will help.
I didn’t convert my licenses yet, unfortunately