F-1 and M-1 Visa Approved
A special advantage of Bristow Academy to overseas students is that Bristow Academy is approved to sponsor students on the F-1 visa program. Foreign students registered for fulltime ab initio training in either the FAA Professional Pilot Program (Option A) or the FAA/JAA Combined Course with Bristow Academy may apply for the F1 visa. Participants in the F-1 visa program have the opportunity to gain practical experience as flight instructors in the United States upon completion of their training by participating in a 12 month period of Optional Practical Training. This is critically important to career-oriented overseas students.
When you return to your home country you will find that it is much easier to convert your pilot certificates if you have been able to accumulate significant flight experience. Ideally you should strive to obtain an ATP rating, (minimum 1200 hours) before attempting to convert. Many countries are protective of their own flight training industry and therefore make it difficult to obtain a local certificate solely on the basis of overseas training. Having extra experience is the best way to overcome that obstacle.
It is illegal for a foreign national to attend a full-time course of training in the United States on a tourist visa. A full-time student at a flight school must be on an appropriate Student Visa. Bristow Academy is approved to bring students to the United States on both the F-1 and M-1 visas. Pilots who already posess helicopter licenses are eligible for the M-1 visa.
Immigration and labor laws in the United States are very strictly enforced. Having proper authorization is essential to achieving career goals.
Pilots applying for a FAA certificate issued on the basis of a foreign license must have the validity and currency of the foreign license and medical certificate or endorsement verified by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that issued those certificates.
The applicant may submit the required information using this form developed by the FAA’s Airmen Certification Branch. Download form here.
The applicant sends:
- the completed form;
- a copy of their foreign license;
- a copy of their foreign medical;
- an English translation of these documents (if applicable); and
- a copy of a photo ID (preferably the photo page of their passport) by mail to:
Airmen Certification Branch
AFS-760
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082Fax: +1 (405) 954-9922
The Flight Standards District Office where students from Bristow Academy, Inc. visit to obtain their restricted Private license is Orlando, Florida.
When the FAA in Oklahoma receives verification from the country in which a license was issued the applicant will receive written notification that a copy has been forwarded to the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) designated in the request. The pilot will contact that FSDO to make an appointment for license issuance.
It is recommended that the pilot allows at least 60-days for the verification procedure.
The verification letter is valid for 6 months. The pilot must have a valid verification letter in order to add an instrument rating to a restricted Private license, and/or to take an FAA Commercial checkride.
FOR UK CAA/JAA LICENSE HOLDERS ONLY:
Due to the British Data Protection Act holders of UK licenses must complete an additional form and submit that form to the UK CAA before they will verify information. For further information on this procedure go to their web site (www.caa.co.uk).
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Requirements
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), through the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP), requires non-U.S. citizens seeking flight training for their first pilot’s license and/or their first instrument rating to go through background screening.
Student are required to complete an online form, pay a processing fee of $130, submit fingerprints, and receive preliminary approval, before commencing flight training. Students are allowed to commence ground training while waiting for this approval. This process is straightforward and the initial application should be completed before arriving at Bristow Academy. Bristow Academy can arrange for fingerprints to be taken upon arrival in Titusville. Information for the initial application is similar to that required in the Department of State forms DS-156, DS-157 and DS-158 that are completed at the US Embassy in order to get a visa application processed. It is a good idea to make copies of these forms to assist in completion of the TSA application.
Bristow Academy will provide a student requiring TSA clearance with specific information upon confirmation of enrollment.
