TSA Approval for Pilot Study on K1

[Josh & Tara 0]

Hello everyone,

 

A long shot and not expecting anyone to help given how niche this is!

 

I am already in the US. I am from the U.K. And will be getting married in the next couple of weeks then submitting AoS.

 

I was told today I am unable to train for my pilots license (IR and CPL) as the TSA will not give approval for those on a K visa.

 

I am already qualified as a private pilot in the U.K. and am in the process of transferring my PPL to the US.

 

Once we marry and apply for Adjustment of status, are we still a K1 Visa or does that change? It just seems like such a waste of time when I could be training and studying (Not Working) while waiting for my green card to arrive. Are we not allowed to study either? I know working is not an option, but it seems ridiculous to not allow study given it’s pumping money into the US.

 

thanks for reading

 

Josh

[SalishSea 17,928]

14 minutes ago, Josh & Tara said:

Hello everyone,

 

A long shot and not expecting anyone to help given how niche this is!

 

I am already in the US. I am from the U.K. And will be getting married in the next couple of weeks then submitting AoS.

 

I was told today I am unable to train for my pilots license (IR and CPL) as the TSA will not give approval for those on a K visa.

 

I am already qualified as a private pilot in the U.K. and am in the process of transferring my PPL to the US.

 

Once we marry and apply for Adjustment of status, are we still a K1 Visa or does that change? It just seems like such a waste of time when I could be training and studying (Not Working) while waiting for my green card to arrive. Are we not allowed to study either? I know working is not an option, but it seems ridiculous to not allow study given it’s pumping money into the US.

 

thanks for reading

 

Josh

Correct, you have to have a green card to become a pilot in the US.  I guess that is yet another drawback to the K-1 visa.

 

Green cards are taking about a year I believe.

Edited March 8, 2022 by Jorgedig

[Redro 4,611]

3 hours ago, Josh & Tara said:

Hello everyone,

 

A long shot and not expecting anyone to help given how niche this is!

 

I am already in the US. I am from the U.K. And will be getting married in the next couple of weeks then submitting AoS.

 

I was told today I am unable to train for my pilots license (IR and CPL) as the TSA will not give approval for those on a K visa.

 

I am already qualified as a private pilot in the U.K. and am in the process of transferring my PPL to the US.

 

Once we marry and apply for Adjustment of status, are we still a K1 Visa or does that change? It just seems like such a waste of time when I could be training and studying (Not Working) while waiting for my green card to arrive. Are we not allowed to study either? I know working is not an option, but it seems ridiculous to not allow study given it’s pumping money into the US.

 

thanks for reading

 

Josh

 

You might be able to train after biometrics have been submitted and you receive an EAD. 

You should contact the schools you're interested in.

Also maybe contact this school as it appears different programs have different requirements.

https://atpflightschool.com/faqs/international/tsa_requirements.html

 

 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

7 hours ago, Josh & Tara said:

Once we marry and apply for Adjustment of status, are we still a K1 Visa or does that change?

Once your I-194 has expired (90 days after entry), you are out of status.  When you submit a proper I-485, you are granted authorized stay (which is not a legal status) in the US until the I-485 has been either approved or denied.  I'm not sure how that affects your PP license.

Edited March 8, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from AOS from K1 Visas forum to Your New Life In America forum -- topic is about studying while pending I-485 ***

 

On 3/8/2022 at 12:50 AM, Josh & Tara said:

Once we marry and apply for Adjustment of status, are we still a K1 Visa or does that change? It just seems like such a waste of time when I could be training and studying (Not Working) while waiting for my green card to arrive. Are we not allowed to study either?

 

As Crazy Cat said, you will no longer be on K1 status after 90 days from US entry.  Due to 9/11, the US government has become more strict with the requirements and background checks for non-USCs wanting to get flight training in the US.  You will need to check with TSA or the flight school if you are eligible to enrol as an I-485 applicant.  More info here -- https://www.aopa.org/advocacy/pilots/alien-flight-training-program/aliens-and-non-us-citizens-seeking-flight-training

 

[mflip 17]

On 3/8/2022 at 6:50 AM, Josh & Tara said:

Hello everyone,

 

A long shot and not expecting anyone to help given how niche this is!

 

I am already in the US. I am from the U.K. And will be getting married in the next couple of weeks then submitting AoS.

 

I was told today I am unable to train for my pilots license (IR and CPL) as the TSA will not give approval for those on a K visa.

 

I am already qualified as a private pilot in the U.K. and am in the process of transferring my PPL to the US.

 

Once we marry and apply for Adjustment of status, are we still a K1 Visa or does that change? It just seems like such a waste of time when I could be training and studying (Not Working) while waiting for my green card to arrive. Are we not allowed to study either? I know working is not an option, but it seems ridiculous to not allow study given it’s pumping money into the US.

 

thanks for reading

 

Josh

Sounds a bit odd, I currently work for a regional airline in the UK and they sent me out to FL for my TR where I had to Get TSA approval and all that nonsense. that was only on an ESTA. 

 

Had to get a background check and biometrics done, but was a non event. the only gotcha was that the training had to be completed within six months, but the TR course was only three weeks! 

 

I'm sure there would be a work around, as I have had schools tell me I wasn't allowed to study either... then a year later I was there for flight training.