Learn to Fly in America: International Student Pilot's Insider Guide
How’s it going pilots? This is Nick from Part Time Pilot. In today’s video, we’re going to talk about flight training for international students. So, I am not an international student, so I don’t have the experience, but I have done some research to come up with these to the slides to help you guys that are international students and want some basic information. If you’re an international student or you’ve been through the process and you watch this video and you have any additional information for me and details about your experience, please comment below. It’ be very helpful. Let’s get to it.
So, basically to start your training, you’re going to need to meet the eligibility requirements for a private pilot license. So, this is age, language, need to read, write, and speak English, medical certificate, etc. for a student pilot. Now, if you want to see these exact eligibility requirements, I made a video on this and you can click on the little eye information bubble that just popped up on the top right of the screen to watch that video. Okay.
So, then you’re going to need to do some research and find a flight school that accepts international students and notify them that you want to start training with them. So, you want to do this ahead of time. Okay. So, this is you need time to process your applications as an international student and you want to give the flight school you want to fly at a heads up because they’re going to need to be registered to train international pilots with the government and they’re going to need your visa information.
Okay, so the next step you’re going to need to get US Transport Security Administration TSA Alien Flight Student Program AFSP approval. So, TSA AFSP approval, you want to do this before traveling to the US because the process can take over a month. You cannot start flight training until you get this approval. You can start ground lessons though. So, you can do an online ground school. If you’re already in the US, you can go take ground lessons. You just can’t start flight training. So, this next line is just a heads up. If you stay in the US with a B1 B2 visa or a student M1 visa, you can’t work at the same time in the US. So basically, you need to just be doing academics training. But one little workaround is that you can ask your flight school to work in exchange for a discount. So maybe the flight school has some paperwork they need process or some type of job, you know, with the airplanes or something that you can do in exchange for a discount to save you some money.
So, you must have a valid visa to be accepted. So, make sure your valid visas, B1, B2, student M1 to be accepted. A handful of flight schools do accept F1 visas. So, if you’re on an F1 visa, you know, check with the flight school. Make sure you pick a right the right flight school that accepts F1 visas. Okay. Create an account at the AFSP website with a valid email and apply online to the AFSP website providing your passport and visa information. To review, you’re going to need a valid visa. You’re going to need to find a flight school that accepts those visas and accepts international students. And then you’re going to apply online at the AFSB website providing them your passport and visa information. Then you wait for the flight school to acknowledge your training request. You’re going to have to pay some fees and get preliminary approval. This preliminary approval does not mean that you can start training. It just means that the AFSP has got your application and your fees are all good to go. So, they have your fees, they have your application, that’s preliminary approval. Okay. So, at this point, you’ve done most of the work. You’re just going to need to submit some fingerprints and then you’re going to wait for a decision from the AFSP. Now, this takes some time, okay? It could take over a month. So, if if you don’t have a visa, if you don’t have any of this, I would say get your visa, get that done, then research flight schools, figure out which flight school you want to go to that accepts international students and your type of visa, and then apply at the AFSP, pay all your fees, get all your paperwork in, submit your fingerprints, and then wait. You know, do it one step at a time to make sure there’s no hiccups.
And again, if you guys have been through this watching this video and you have any anything to add, please comment below. It would be very helpful. Again, I don’t have the experience, but this is what I’ve read. And I hope this was helpful for you guys. And as always, if you’re not already, please follow me on Instagram, part.time.pilot. I also have a Facebook page, part.time.pilot one, or I have a Facebook group if you just search part-time pilot group. There we discuss different just different questions about flight training. You’re at my YouTube, so just click subscribe in the bottom right and then you’ll get notifications for all my latest videos. Thanks for watching.
TLDR
This is the international student pilot guide to flying in America for non-US citizens. In order to get an FAA pilot certificate as a non-US citizen a student must meet the eligibility requirements require of all students pilots. Then, they need to find and choose a flight school they wish to conduct training at in the United States that accepts international student pilots.
The rest of the process includes applying for and receiving an appropriate Visa to train in the US. Then, a student must apply for and be approved as part of the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP). While waiting for a decision from the AFSP, a student can complete an Online Ground School like Part Time Pilot to prepare themselves to immediately take and pass the FAA Written exam and be one step ahead when they arrive in the US.
For any international students out there I decided to do a bit of research and write this insider guide on how you can learn to fly in America. Now, I am no expert and was not an international student so if you are one and have had different experiences please let me know! Below we discuss how international students can get a private pilot license in the US:
In order to start your training you first need to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements that are required of all student pilots (age, read/write/speak English, medical, etc.).
Then, you will want to choose a Student and Exchange Visitor School (SEVP) approved flight school that you wish to receive training here in the states that can accept international students. You will want to do this early in the process because they will need to be involved throughout. Not only that but they can help you along the way.
Once you have chosen one you will need to notify them of your plans. Tell them your situation and tell them that you intend to train with them. They will need to be registered to train international pilots with the government and will need your Visa information. Therefore you need a valid Visa.
The next big step is to get US Transport Security Administration (TSA) Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) Approval (FTSP Home, 2025). Do this before traveling to the united states because the process can take over a month. You cannot start your flight training until you receive this approval (however you can start ground lessons and you can use an online ground school like Part Time Pilot you just need to be in the states to take the FAA Written so make sure you don’t go through ground school too soon and end up losing all the knowledge before taking the written test).
If you stay in the US with a B1/B2 Visa or a student M1 Visa you can NOT work at the same time in the US but you can ask your flight school to work in exchange for a discount… worth a shot. You must have a valid Visa to be accepted (a handful of schools also accept F1 Visas).
Create an account at the AFSP website with a valid email address and apply online providing your passport and Visa information. Then, wait for the flight school to acknowledge your request to train with them. Pay all your fees and get your preliminary approval. But be cognizant that this “preliminary approval” does not mean you are fully approved and can start training. All that it means is that the AFSP has received your application and fees. Finally, you will be required to submit your fingerprints.
Once all that is accomplished, you simply wait for the decision from the AFSP and once you obtain it you may start training!
The number 1 way to ensure your success in becoming a pilot is by properly managing your time & money
And the easiest way to properly manage your time & money is by doing ground school before it’s too late and ACTUALLY understanding the material
5 years ago I saw NO ONE mentoring unsuspecting students on the traps in flight training that was costing them $1000s
This is why I created the Part Time Pilot Online Ground Schools
The ground schools were created with these ideas at the heart of our mission statement:
- Mentoring students from start to finish
- Providing content that saves time & money & provides a deep understanding
What is the Best Online Ground School?
Over the years, I have seen 1000s of student pilots go through ground and flight training. I have heard their complaints and their praises about what makes a good ground school experience.
I have taken that knowledge, included it with my own experience becoming a pilot, an instructor, and an aerospace engineer, and created the Ultimate Buyer’s Guide for student pilots looking for the best ground school option.
The guide breaks down the best options across several categories, including the best for affordability, the best for visual learners, the best for mobile users on the go, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the topic of the costs of flight training.
Yes, an international student or non-US citizen can become a pilot in the US as long as they go through the appropriate process of receiving a valid Visa and being approved by the TSA’s Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP).
Although there are several fees for international student pilots associated to their Visa and TSA approvals, the total costs to become a Private Pilot or Airline Pilot are similar to those in the US. The average cost to become a Private Pilot ranges from $14,000 to $17,000 while the cost to become an airline pilot ranges from $65,000 to $135,000. Some of the additional fees for international student pilots include:
- SEVIS I-901 Visa Fee: ~$350
- Visa Application Fee: ~$185
- I-20 Processing Fee: ~$450
- TSA Application Fee: ~$130
- Fingerprinting Fee: ~$125
Yes, an international student or non-US citizen can become a pilot in the US as long as they go through the appropriate process of receiving a valid Visa and being approved by the TSA’s Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP).
Here are some of the Visas and other immigration status information for flight training in the US:
- M1 Visa (Vocational Student Visa): This is the most common visa for international students pursuing flight training, specifically designed for vocational or non-academic programs. It allows enrollment in SEVP-approved flight schools, but generally prohibits working in the U.S. during or after training.
- F1 Visa (Academic Student Visa): Used when flight training is part of a broader academic degree program at a SEVP-approved college or university, this visa offers the significant advantage of potential Optional Practical Training (OPT) for post-graduation work experience, such as flight instructing.
- B1/B2 Visas (Business/Tourist) or Visa Waiver Program: These short-stay visas are generally not for initial flight training leading to a certificate, but may be suitable for recurrent training, refresher courses, or familiarization flights where no new certificate is being sought.
- Other Nonimmigrant Visas (e.g., H1B, L1): Individuals already in the U.S. on a work visa may pursue flight training as a vocational pursuit, provided it doesn’t violate their visa’s terms and is secondary to their primary employment.
- Green Card Holders (Lawful Permanent Residents): These individuals do not require a student visa for flight training, as they are permanent residents, but they still must undergo the mandatory TSA Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) clearance process.
In the context of flight training, an F1 visa is a non-immigrant student visa issued by the US government specifically for international students who wish to pursue academic or vocational studies that lead to a degree or a recognized certificate. For aspiring airline pilots, an F1 visa is often the preferred choice if they are enrolling in a comprehensive, long-term professional pilot program that is often integrated with a college degree. The flight school offering such a program must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to issue the I-20 form, which is essential for the F1 visa application.
A key advantage of the F1 visa for pilot training is the potential for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completing the program. OPT allows F1 students to work in the US for a limited period (typically 12 months, with a possible 24 month STEM extension for certain fields) in a job directly related to their field of study. For aviation students, this means they can potentially work as a flight instructor or in another aviation-related role to build the significant flight hours required for their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and gain valuable experience.
The M1 visa is a non-immigrant visa specifically designed for international students who wish to pursue vocational or non-academic training in the United States. In the context of flight training, it is the most common visa type for individuals enrolling in standalone flight training programs that lead to pilot certificates but are not part of a broader academic degree (e.g., just going to a flight school to get your Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Commercial certificates without enrolling in a college program). To be eligible for an M-1 visa, the flight school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and issue the student a Form I-20, which is the official certificate of eligibility.
A key characteristic of the M1 visa is its focus purely on vocational training. This means that, unlike F1 visa holders, M1 students are generally not permitted to work for compensation in the United States during or after their training, severely limiting their ability to build flight hours as a paid flight instructor. The duration of an M1 visa is tied directly to the length of the flight program, typically granted for up to one year, with limited possibilities for extension if the student needs more time to complete the course due to unforeseen circumstances. This makes the M1 visa suitable for those focused solely on obtaining their pilot certificates and returning to their home country for career progression.
No, the FAA written exam or FAA Knowledge exam must be taken at an approved FAA testing center. Currently, the FAA utilizing PSI for their testing centers and locations and appointments can be made at the FAA-PSI website here.
There are ways for military personal to take the exam at testing centers on military bases outside the US but there is no way for international students to do so.
Yes, ground schools such as online ground schools can be taken outside of the US. This flexibility makes online ground schools like Part Time Pilot incredibly popular. Students can study the ground knowledge and even receive a Written exam endorsement prior to coming to the US to help prepare themselves for a smoother journey in flight training. However, the FAA Written exam and flight training lessons must be conducted in the US.
An international student pilot must apply and be accepted by the TSA Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) before they can conduct flight training in the US. Once an application is submitted, it usually takes 2-4 weeks to receive a response.
