Path to North America as EU Pilot?
 

About to start working towards my FAA fATPL (in a year or two) as a European, because the plan is to get CFI license and do instructing for a couple years on the F1 visa after I obtain my fATPL, and then convert to CAA once I return.

It got me wondering, Is it at all possible for someone like myself as a European to bag a commercial job in the states? Without permanent residency it proves very challenging... I can't see any airline hiring on a visa etc. Marring for citizenship is not an option.

I'd like to know anyone who's considering the transition and how / if even possible. Any insights etc would be appreciated.

Without marrying, almost impossible as a pilot. You could perhaps go with a different qualification, persue a green card then become a pilot.

The short answer is yes. It will take a lot of effort, money, or both, but it is definitely "at all" possible.

Mind elaborating? Obviously money helps with everything and no doubt it will take time, but you can't exactly buy a golden visa like you can in Europe

You can but they cost $800,000.

Shame then. Will probably still go ahead with my FAA ATPL to obtain my CFI out there anyway, besides, only a handful of schools (literally a handful) offer full CAA ATPL, so probably worth just doing the conversion afterwards anyway.

The FAA system is different from UK/EASA. You do not get an ATP in order to become a CFI - is it other way around. You become a CFI in order to build hours to get your ATP. The F1 visa will allow you to train to become a CFI got that reason - if you get your ATP first you would not be eligible fly the F1 visa. The recommended route is to apply for an M1 visa to get your private, then F1 to get your Instrument, Commercial and CFI - maximising your time on that visa.

Yeah that's what I meant apologies, just worded it poorly.

I did not know you could get multiple visas? That makes sense as I suppose the PPL is counted as purely recreational flight. Could they potentially deny an F1 visa if you have already / are already on an M1?

Thanks for this, you're right about maximising time as every day / week / month counts.

It's a long time since I did it. You used to be able to turn up on an M1 and apply for 'change of status' which is where you get a different visa category when you're already in the US. People would get as much done as possible on the M1 then change to the F1 (J1 when I did it). It's definitely worth doing your research.

There’s no such thing in the FAA as a “frozen ATPL”. You either have an ATP certicate or you don’t.

Yeah apologies, that's how it is here

Heard US airlines offer sponsorships to UK and Australian pilots is that true ?

Can you reveal where you heard that ?

They heard it from their friends brothers girlfriends sisters next door neighbour who heard it from someone down the pub.

Australian yes, UK no.

Yes, the E3 visa for Australians has been covered extensively on this website. It's hard to know how much of that is going on today. The ACMI carriers and regionals took quite a few E3s but I don't know how much of it is going on at the moment. Atlas appears to have stopped hiring anyone.

As for UK pilots, I'd be curious to know where that information came from. I'm not saying it's wrong; I just haven't heard of that happening.

Hiring has slowed down enough here that turning to the expat market to fill seats doesn't appear to be needed. The future ? I have no idea.

Golden days for E3s were 2021-2023 , now has massively slowed down. Maybe a couple of regionals left still taking them.

As far as working in the USA without already being a green card holder/citizen it’s been covered on here thousands of times, is it possible yes, is it likely to happen NO.

Study and get licences where you can work .

146-100 has pretty much summed it up.

There are several ways.

• Get a job with a large (US based) company and be transferred to the USA on an intercompany transferee visa which I believe is the L-1. This visa leads to a greencard upon which you can leave said company.
• ”Greencard lottery” for which the UK is excluded. Personally know 4 people that have gained entry and aviation employment that way.
• Asylum
• Investment visa.

No doubt there’s at least a dozen more.
Now, the suitability for the OP is a different matter.