Foreign pilots now allowed to apply for a Green Card?

[LimaVictor]

Thank you awair and Climb150 for your inputs.
Yes I did use a lawyer and they told me they are figuring out what other evidence we could provide.
But I do have a feeling they are looking for excuses to reject me. I will try to find more references from previous and actual airline I'm flying for but this process it's like going to the Casino.

[FourStripes]

I entered the US last week. No problems with CBP. now I am waiting for my Social Security card and the physical green card to be mailed to me.

Does anyone know if some Part 91 Ops is hiring. Would appreciate the help.

[polarisfib]

Did you find a sim buddy?

[Dudule54]

Thinking about trying

Hey guys,
I am a captain in a major European airline, always wanted to move to USA, I’ve tried several years the diversity lottery with no positive results and tried the EB2 on my own a few years ago… same results.
I now have the opportunity to try the EB2 again with the help of someone who made it successfully, and getting is experience may help in doing it right this time…
My question to you guys is, what are the odds to a 50 yo captain to make this opportunity a successful and/or a wise move ?
I am willing to take the chance but a lot of uncertainties make me think about it, how long before I can get a job, will this job be better than the one I presently have, how about salaries and QOL, will my family be granted to move with me (a wife and 3 kids)…
Feedbacks welcome 😉

[bafanguy]

Originally Posted by Dudule54

My question to you guys is, what are the odds to a 50 yo captain to make this opportunity a successful and/or a wise move ?
I am willing to take the chance but a lot of uncertainties make me think about it, how long before I can get a job, will this job be better than the one I presently have, how about salaries and QOL, will my family be granted to move with me (a wife and 3 kids)…

Those are tough questions to answer. I know nothing of the visa aspects because I don't know if that visa would be acceptable to a career-destination airline. Perhaps one of the ACMIs like Atlas ? I just don't know. And the prospective carrier may or may not provide training to get an FAA ATPL perhaps leaving you with the expensive and time-consuming task.

But my first impression is that you wouldn't have nearly the same job you have now. You'd be at the bottom of a seniority list and on reserve ( and vulnerable to lay offs) at low pay for an unknown length of time perhaps in a ERJ/CRJ at a regional airline. And due to FAA regulations, you wouldn't be put directly on the LHS in a Part 121 operation.

Best wishes for you in your pursuit.

[Dudule54]

To my understanding it is possible to apply to an F/O position in a legacy airline.
Last year I was in touch with an AA recruiter who told me that if I had an EB2 I could be interviewed… I applied to such a visa on my own and I failed.

[Sunrig]

Originally Posted by Dudule54

Hey guys,
I am a captain in a major European airline, always wanted to move to USA, I’ve tried several years the diversity lottery with no positive results and tried the EB2 on my own a few years ago… same results.
I now have the opportunity to try the EB2 again with the help of someone who made it successfully, and getting is experience may help in doing it right this time…
My question to you guys is, what are the odds to a 50 yo captain to make this opportunity a successful and/or a wise move ?
I am willing to take the chance but a lot of uncertainties make me think about it, how long before I can get a job, will this job be better than the one I presently have, how about salaries and QOL, will my family be granted to move with me (a wife and 3 kids)…
Feedbacks welcome 😉

There are a lot of things that only you can answer if it is the right move for you and your family. I was in the same situation/ position as you 6 years ago and made the move. I’m overall very happy that I did it. I stayed 3 years at a LCC and I’m now at a Legacy carrier. The question that you should ask yourself is- are you willing to go back to the right seat for at least 1000 hours? You won’t be able to upgrade unless you have flown 1000 hours in a pt 121 operation. Unfortunately, all your foreign experience doesn’t count here. Regarding salaries- Go and check out APC. Take the hourly rate and multiply it by 1000. That should give you a good ballpark number of what salary to expect. If you get hired at a legacy carrier you should be making the same money latest around year 3 as an FO. Once you upgrade to Captain you should be around $300K. But also be aware that the cost of living is much higher in the US than in Europe. That is especially true for having 3 kids. Also know that seniority plays a much bigger role here in everything compared to Europe. That’s at least my experience. For example- if you upgrade to Captain early you won’t have a schedule for many years. You will be on reserve/ standby for a looooong time. That is something to think about. That is one of the reasons so many FOs don’t want to upgrade because you have a much better QOL and control over your schedule and your life. And with better seniority in the right seat you’re absolutely able to make the same money as a narrow body Captain. It’s also easier to work only 10 days a month and have 20days off as an FO. Another thing to consider- Airlines are still hiring but they have already hired a significant amount of pilots. That said I’m sure you will get a good job here, but don’t expect to be a Widebody Captain at a Legacy carrier. That ship has sailed. You can have an excellent QOL as a NB/WB FO or if you choose to upgrade early you will have to wait many years for your schedule to improve. All that said- I don’t regret coming over and wish you all the best!

[bafanguy]

Originally Posted by Dudule54

To my understanding it is possible to apply to an F/O position in a legacy airline.
Last year I was in touch with an AA recruiter who told me that if I had an EB2 I could be interviewed.

Yes, you can certainly apply for any position you wish. The question is whether they're currently messing with visa holders (vs citizens or green card holders) at the time you apply. The hiring game is fickle and volatile: what was true last year (or last month) may or may not be true this (month) year. I'd want to see the acceptance of specific visa holders in writing on the airline's official website and they don't seem to be all that forthcoming with that info (a few regionals have in the past). What some recruiter told you is less than meaningless.

Spirit Airlines took visa holders in the past (in addition to E3) but I doubt they're hiring at the moment. Frontier Airlines is reportedly taking visa holders of some kind but I don't know what category...and I haven't seen that on Frontier's website.

My guess is that the places you'd want to roll the big dice on and make a family move for won't be particularly welcoming to visa holders. DL, UA, AA, UPS, etc just don't have to mess with this issue when there are hordes of citizens storming the gates. Plus, hiring at the legacy level is somewhat less recently than in the hot-and-heavy past.

And as soon as hiring slows even slightly, the competitive requirements go up. What's listed as minimum requirements is meaningless.

Someone else mentioned the time in the RHS. If this would bruise your sensitivities, you won't be happy. And once one gets that magic 1,000 hours, there's no absolute guarantee LHS positions will be available to the very junior pilots. It certainly has been for a few years but I wouldn't plan a life-altering move based on that being the case if it's a deal breaker for you.

I'm happy to see people achieve success in their efforts and admire their willingness to make big efforts and take big risks. But getting reliable, unequivocal information is tough at times.

Best of luck to you and your family. Let us know how you get along. It'll be informative to a lot of people.

[bafanguy]

Originally Posted by Dudule54

To my understanding it is possible to apply to an F/O position in a legacy airline.

You didn't mention if you currently have an FAA ATPL (or any FAA tickets).

Just an additional thought to the process you face: applying to most carriers today means filling out some online application. If the airline requires an applicant to hold an FAA ATPL (or FAA CPL with ATPL written passed) the online process may reject the application as not meeting the requirements. This means the system filter on the receiving end prevented the HR staff from even seeing the application.

I think there might be an exception or two out there (maybe ATLAS or an occasional regional ?) but the application mechanism at the legacy carriers to which you refer may very well present an obstacle to an otherwise well qualified candidate such as yourself, with or without a visa.

Just a thought.

[Dudule54]

I do not currently hold an FAA ATP… 🧐

[Dudule54]

But I don’t think the FAA ATP is the problem, the EASA can be easily converted into an FAA…

[bafanguy]

Originally Posted by Dudule54

But I don’t think the FAA ATP is the problem, the EASA can be easily converted into an FAA…

Understand. The question I have is whether the lack of an FAA license will interfere with the application process. In some cases it will. Some airlines have taken people in without them and completed the process during the new-hire training. But I doubt all the prime carriers will do that when they are besieged by qualified applicants who don't bring that layer of complication with which the airline may not be willing or prepared to deal.

Here's Delta for example (AA, UA, Frontier and UPS are the same or tighter):

https://www.airlineapps.com/jobs/det...=First-Officer

It's certainly worth your time to give it all a try.

[Sunrig]

Originally Posted by Dudule54

But I don’t think the FAA ATP is the problem, the EASA can be easily converted into an FAA…

That is absolutely true. It will take maybe 3-4 months to get everything done. The restricting factor will be getting the TSA clearance to start your ATP CTP course since you will be in a sim. Also remember, if you want your 320 Type on the FAA certificate you will need to do at least a shortened type rating course again. The FAA doesn’t recognize the EASA rating. Like Bafanguy said, if you have your FAA certificates added to your Visa application it might help building your case to getting approved.

[Dudule54]

I don’t think having an FAA ATP before applying makes any kind of difference as the USCIS agents have no knowledge about the difference between an EASA and a FAA license. They are not experts in aviation…

[bafanguy]

Originally Posted by Dudule54

I don’t think having an FAA ATP before applying makes any kind of difference as the USCIS agents have no knowledge about the difference between an EASA and a FAA license. They are not experts in aviation…

I was referring to dealing with an airline application/HR process and the potential of having the automated process of application review filtering out those without an FAA ATPL when that is listed as a minimum qualification for employment. That would have nothing to do with USCIS or its processes.

I just didn't explain myself very well. Sorry

[Climb150]

All the major airlines United/AA/Delta require you have an FAA ATP at time of application. Even the US military people have to play by this rule.

Some of the regionals would let you apply with a foreign licence (like the ones taking E3s) but I don't know of any Regional airline doing that know.

The only non regional doing licence conversion was Spirit and Allegiant but they have stopped also.

[bafanguy]

Originally Posted by Climb150

All the major airlines United/AA/Delta require you have an FAA ATP at time of application. Even the US military people have to play by this rule.

Some of the regionals would let you apply with a foreign licence (like the ones taking E3s) but I don't know of any Regional airline doing that know.

The only non regional doing licence conversion was Spirit and Allegiant but they have stopped also.

Climb150,

Yes, that's what I was trying to say but you did it better.

Delta's published requirements are a bit of an exception to accommodate the military guys. Or at least that's what they publish. The ATP is issued by completing the training program:

FAA Requirements

• FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument - Airplane.
• Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
• All aeronautical experience requirements for an ATP, Airplane category rating, as set forth in 14 CFR §61.159.
• Current ATP written exam.

[Climb150]

Originally Posted by EASA to FAA

Well you got rejected on your EB2 application so they might actually want it.

I know people who didn't have an FAA ATP and got the EB2 NIW.

I think the boat has sailed on EB2 NIW though. I have not heard of one being approved for a long time now. Plenty being rejected though.

I'm sure someone will let me know that their brothers girlfriends sisters auntie got approved last week!!

[EASA to FAA]

Originally Posted by Dudule54

Hey guys,
I am a captain in a major European airline, always wanted to move to USA, I’ve tried several years the diversity lottery with no positive results and tried the EB2 on my own a few years ago… same results.
I now have the opportunity to try the EB2 again with the help of someone who made it successfully, and getting is experience may help in doing it right this time…
My question to you guys is, what are the odds to a 50 yo captain to make this opportunity a successful and/or a wise move ?
I am willing to take the chance but a lot of uncertainties make me think about it, how long before I can get a job, will this job be better than the one I presently have, how about salaries and QOL, will my family be granted to move with me (a wife and 3 kids)…
Feedbacks welcome 😉

50 years old is considered very old for any immigration, EB2 visa is usually for people in their 30's and 40's, the older you are the harder it's gonna be to integrate and the USCIS want people that are going to stay in the United States and not come back to Europe after a few years; there are some exceptions of older people getting it but it's rare.

Many people, including myself, were approved last year and this year. All of them completed an FAA ATP conversion before submitting their petition.
A vast majority of the one who chose not to convert their licenses received a Requests for Evidence (RFE) or were denied directly, most of the RFE i know of didn't end up with a successful outcome.

Immigration always involves expenses, not willing to convert your license, not thoroughly vetting your chosen lawyer, choosing to do it by yourself to save money with 0 law background is delusional and ridiculous. I do only know of 2 people who did it by themselves and got approved compare to around two hundred who used a serious law firm.

Also keep in mind that not having an FAA ATP is simply giving the immigration officer another reason to deny your petition that was already denied before.

[Winemaker]

re post #407:

Once you upgrade to Captain you should be around $300K. But also be aware that the cost of living is much higher in the US than in Europe. That is especially true for having 3 kids.

I live in the U.S. $300k/year is in the upper 5% of income here. If you're making that sort of money you will not be worrying about the cost of living, you'll have a maid, a Mercedes, and a house on the beach. School is paid for here by the state, so there is no cost to educate your children. This poster doesn't know what they're talking about.