Foreign Pilot Process Matrix
Work through the questions in order to see which FAA pilot certificate options apply.
FVL = Foreign Pilot Verification of Authenticity Letter
What FAA Pilot certificate options are available to a Foreign Pilot?
Question 1: Does the foreign pilot hold an ATPL with instrument privileges or a CPL with an instrument rating from an ICAO member state?
https://www.icao.int/about-icao/Pages/member-states.aspx
YesGo to question 2.
NoThe foreign pilot cannot apply for an FAA certificate and/or rating.
Question 2: Does the foreign pilot currently hold an FAA pilot certificate?
YesCertificate held:
Restricted (61.75) FAA Private Pilot certificate (issued on the basis of a Foreign Pilot’s License)
The pilot can add a Type Rating with “U.S. TEST PASSED” to this certificate. A valid FVL is required by the FAA to add a Type Rating to a Restricted (61.75) FAA Private Pilot certificate.
The pilot can use their Foreign Pilot’s License to apply for an FAA ATP, Category/Class Rating, and Type Rating (if applicable). The pilot will leave the Training Center with both their Restricted (61.75) FAA Private Pilot certificate AND a stand-alone FAA ATP certificate and/or rating. Any “U.S. TEST PASSED” rating currently held on their Restricted (61.75) Private Pilot certificate will be transferred onto their newly obtained FAA ATP certificate. A valid FVL is required by the FAA to apply for an FAA ATP certificate and/or rating.
Unrestricted FAA Pilot certificate
Go to “What options does a Foreign Pilot have with an Unrestricted FAA Pilot certificate?”NoThe pilot can use their Foreign Pilot’s License to apply for an FAA ATP, Category/Class Rating, & Type Rating (if applicable). A valid FVL is required by the FAA to apply for an FAA ATP certificate and/or rating.
Revision Date: 11/09/2018
What options does a Foreign Pilot have with an Unrestricted FAA Pilot certificate?
| Unrestricted FAA Private Pilot certificate | Unrestricted FAA Commercial Pilot certificate | Unrestricted FAA ATP certificate |
|---|---|---|
The pilot can add a Type rating to their Private Pilot certificate. A FVL is not required by the FAA to add a Type Rating to an Unrestricted FAA Private Pilot certificate. The pilot can use their Foreign Pilot’s License to apply for an FAA ATP, Category/Class Rating, and Type Rating (if applicable). A valid FVL is required by the FAA to apply for an FAA ATP certificate and/or rating. All privileges on the (superseded) Unrestricted FAA Private Pilot certificate will be transferred onto their newly obtained FAA ATP certificate. The pilot will leave the Training Center with only one valid FAA Pilot certificate. |
The pilot can add a Type rating to their Commercial Pilot certificate and/or upgrade to an ATP certificate. A FVL is not required by the FAA to add a Type Rating to; or upgrade an Unrestricted FAA Commercial Pilot certificate. |
The pilot can add a Type rating to their ATP certificate. A FVL is not required by the FAA to add a Type Rating to an Unrestricted FAA ATP certificate. |
NOTE:
It is the Training Center’s responsibility to ensure that a student has met all of the curriculum prerequisite requirements before enrolling them into an FAA Approved Part 142 Training Curriculum; and it is the FAA’s responsibility (to include TCEs) to ensure that an applicant has met all Part 61 certification requirements before issuing an FAA Pilot certificate and/or rating.
Applicable references:
- 61.63(d): Add a Type Rating to an FAA Private or Commercial Pilot certificate.
- 61.157(b): Add a Type Rating to an FAA ATP certificate.
- 61.153(d)(3): Foreign Pilot eligibility for an FAA ATP certificate.
- 8900.1, V5, Ch2, S14: Issue an FAA Pilot certificate based on a Foreign Pilot license
- FAA Foreign Pilot website: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/foreign_license_verification/
Revision Date: 11/09/2018
Related
Tell us which certificate you hold and which course you want. We will reply with next steps.