Training and Proficiency

Extra Hurdles Test Foreign Student Pilots

The need for new pilots is ramping up globally and many airlines are sending new applicants to U.S. schools for training.

Thursday, February 02, 2023 at 06:36 PM ET

Verified

Many airlines send their applicants to U.S. schools for training, up through a commercial certificate, before they return home. [Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. is a primary destination for international pilot training due to lower costs and a significant global demand for new pilots.
International students must obtain an M1 Visa, demonstrate English proficiency, prove financial capability, and show strong ties to their home country.
All flight trainees, particularly foreign nationals, must undergo a comprehensive security vetting process through the TSA's Flight Training Security Program (FTSP).

See a mistake? Contact us.

“We accept the M1 Visa.”

“International students welcome.”

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.