M-1 or B1 Visa for type rating?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 55
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From: Rynfield, Benoni
M-1 or B1 Visa for type rating?
Have a job offer which requires doing a type rating in the US. The airline does their own in-house training using their training captains. The problem is they are not accredited with SEVP, although the simulators that are hired are accredited.
What happens if the simulator company don't want to issue a I-20 Form as they are not doing the training, and the airline can't issue one either as they are not SEVP accredited.
My question is, can the type rating be done on a B1 visitors visa, since it's not possible to get a M-1 visa, or is training out of the question then?
What happens if the simulator company don't want to issue a I-20 Form as they are not doing the training, and the airline can't issue one either as they are not SEVP accredited.
My question is, can the type rating be done on a B1 visitors visa, since it's not possible to get a M-1 visa, or is training out of the question then?
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 72
From: Village of Santo Poco
Have a job offer which requires doing a type rating in the US. The airline does their own in-house training using their training captains. The problem is they are not accredited with SEVP, although the simulators that are hired are accredited.
What happens if the simulator company don't want to issue a I-20 Form as they are not doing the training, and the airline can't issue one either as they are not SEVP accredited.
My question is, can the type rating be done on a B1 visitors visa, since it's not possible to get a M-1 visa, or is training out of the question then?
What happens if the simulator company don't want to issue a I-20 Form as they are not doing the training, and the airline can't issue one either as they are not SEVP accredited.
My question is, can the type rating be done on a B1 visitors visa, since it's not possible to get a M-1 visa, or is training out of the question then?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Rynfield, Benoni
Am I am the first one, as it wasn't an issue before. The airline's attorney is the one who raised the issue. A Trump inspired initiative to protect jobs and "making America great again" without doubt. I know someone that was undergoing training for BMW in the US recently, and they booted the whole lot of them out as they didn't have study visas. True story.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 98
Likes: 3
From: Finca
Yes, it’s true you now need an M1 visa. Previously an ESTA would have been suitable, but I understand ICE are cracking down on the training providers for accelerated type ratings or standard type ratings. Recurrent training can still be done using an ESTA.
An M1 visa is a lot easier to obtain than a B1, some countries have a wait of 400 days before an interview at a US consulate for the B1.
However, if the training provider won’t issue an I-20 then you have a problem.
An M1 visa is a lot easier to obtain than a B1, some countries have a wait of 400 days before an interview at a US consulate for the B1.
However, if the training provider won’t issue an I-20 then you have a problem.
Last edited by snakeslugger; 6th April 2025 at 10:53.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 734
Likes: 10
From: London, GB
"I know someone that was undergoing training for BMW in the US recently, and they booted the whole lot of them out as they didn't have study visas."
Some of that training can be done under an H-3 visa. In your case, the B-1/B-2 isn't normally permitted for initial training. I posted the regulations and text from the State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual on this in M1 Visa or no Visa and SEVIS approved schools in the USA
"Previously an ESTA would have been suitable..."
It's been a long time since that was permitted for initial training.
Some of that training can be done under an H-3 visa. In your case, the B-1/B-2 isn't normally permitted for initial training. I posted the regulations and text from the State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual on this in M1 Visa or no Visa and SEVIS approved schools in the USA
"Previously an ESTA would have been suitable..."
It's been a long time since that was permitted for initial training.
Joined: Feb 2010
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 364
Likes: 28
From: Vienna (FAA CPL/CFI)
Dont forget TSA. Some people will train part 61 only and not be registered to train international students. You'll need to find another provider.
Last edited by ahwalk01; 5th April 2025 at 14:57.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 98
Likes: 3
From: Finca
"I know someone that was undergoing training for BMW in the US recently, and they booted the whole lot of them out as they didn't have study visas."
Some of that training can be done under an H-3 visa. In your case, the B-1/B-2 isn't normally permitted for initial training. I posted the regulations and text from the State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual on this in M1 Visa or no Visa and SEVIS approved schools in the USA
"Previously an ESTA would have been suitable..."
It's been a long time since that was permitted for initial training.
Some of that training can be done under an H-3 visa. In your case, the B-1/B-2 isn't normally permitted for initial training. I posted the regulations and text from the State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual on this in M1 Visa or no Visa and SEVIS approved schools in the USA
"Previously an ESTA would have been suitable..."
It's been a long time since that was permitted for initial training.
