Foreign Pilot License Conversions
Converting your Foreign Pilot License into an FAA Pilot License is a rather simple process. There are three primary requirements that you must meet to convert your license:
- Be proficient in the English language
- Have a green card or a B-1, B-2, F-1, J-1, or M-1 Visa
- Hold a third class U.S. medical certificate
Federal Aviation Administration
Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082
After verification, the FAA will send you a letter in your home country informing you that your license has cleared. When you arrive at Tidewater Flight Center, you must present this letter, your logbook, foreign pilot license, foreign pilot medical, passport, and Visa with you. From this point on, we will assist you in meeting the remainder of the requirements:
- Get a third class FAA medical examination
- Receive a flight review endorsement along with an aircraft rental checkout in the plane you with to build your time in
- Completed FAA Form 8710 (We will fill this out for you)
- FAA Designated Examiner Fee
- 2 photocopies of your passport, Foreign Pilot License, Foreign Medical Certificate, and your new FAA Medical Certificate
- Your logbook
Foreign Pilot Time Building
Tidewater Flight Center has the largest and most diverse fleet in the Hampton Roads area. Our aircraft range from a two-seat Diamond DA-20 to a G-1000 Cessna 172 and Diamond DA-40. For those interested in building twin time, we have a Piper Twin Comanche. Prior to soloing in our aircraft, you will need to complete an aircraft rental checkout with one of our flight instructors, as well as have already converted your Foreign Pilot License into an FAA Pilot License (explained above). A Visa is required, but TSA registration is not.
TSA Registration Process
Any non-US citizen is required to register with the US Transportation Security Administration prior to beginning his or her flight training in the United States. This process can be completed online.
Step 1: Click here to access the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) wizard, which will guide you through the registration process.
Step 2: You will be asked for the following information during the registration process:
- Residence and Citizenship
- Places and Terms of Employment
- Details of the Requested Training
- Other Background Information
On the online TSA application, you may see questions that ask for your "Resident Start Date" and "Resident End Date". This is referencing your current residence (How long have you lived at your current address?).
Step 3: Once you submit your completed training request forms, the AFSP will coordinate with the flight training provider you designate and either approve or reject the validity of your application.
Step 4: Once your flight training provider acknowledges your application, you will be asked by AFSP to pay the $130 USD processing fee.
Step 5: The candidate and flight training provider will be notified of a preliminary decision on the training request. The flight training candidate must complete a training request for each course or instance of training he or she wishes to attend, even if the training is with the same flight training provider.
(helpful hints)
When filling out the TSA registration online, please use the following codes:
1). Course ID = 001 for Private Pilot, 002 for Multi-Engine, 003 for Instrument Rating
2). Aircraft Category = DA-20, C-172R, or PA-28-161
3). Student ID = You may create your own student ID number.
Fingerprints must be submitted and TSA clearance must be received before you may begin your flight training!
THIS ENTIRE PROCESS MAY BE COMPLETED BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
As part of the process you will also need to fill out the two forms listed below for the Department of State. You may download these .PDF forms now and start to pre-fill them out, however please note that the US authorities now prefer these forms to be filled out online and submitted before your interview date. (Which will also save you time on the day fo your interview):
- DS-0157 Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form
- DS-0158 Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa
For additional forms, visit the Department of State's Visa Application Forms webpage.
The Tidewater Area
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Federal Agencies
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