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?

I trust you're not the first one in your airline's history with this issue. How has it been handled before?

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.

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.

"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 https://www.pprune.org/professional-...l#post11860469

"Previously an ESTA would have been suitable..."

It's been a long time since that was permitted for initial training.

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.

I am in the process on heading to the US and doing an an ATP accelerated type rating with IATS. They stated initially an ESTA is adequate and colleagues of mine in Australia entered the US on an ESTA, as late as Feb 25’ for the same accelerated type rating. So, not long ago at all.

An accelerated type rating isn't an initial type rating.

Yes, I understand that but you still need an M1 is my point.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....9b646610e.jpeg