There is a program run by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to screen non-US citizens before they can start flight training. It is called the Alien Flight Student Program or AFSP. To quote from their website https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov, “AFSP’s mission is to ensure that individuals participating in flight training do not pose a threat to aviation or national security. Under U.S. law , U.S. flight training providers are prohibited from training any flight training candidates or students unless they have submitted certain information to TSA, and TSA has determined that the individual does not pose a threat to aviation or national security.”
This program applies to INITIAL training, where students are working on their initial FAA Airman Certificate (commonly called pilot license). If the person already has an FAA pilot certificate, AFSP approval is not required. For example (again from their website) “Certified Flight Instructor rating is exempt if the candidate holds an FAA stand-alone Pilot certificate.”
Practical Tests (commonly called Check rides) are also exempt. Check rides are not considered training. They are a test of training that the candidate already received.
Demonstration and familiarization flights (also called “intro” or “discovery” flights) also are exempted from the requirements of this regulation.
This clarification is available on page 56329 in the Interim Final Rule at IFR_Alien_Pilot.pdf
If you are going for your initial FAA Airman certificate (often called Pilot license), and you are not a US citizen, apply for approval at https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov. Create an account to start the process. If you are planning to train for Sport or Private, Land or Sea, your application will be for an Initial (category 3) training event.
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