Originally Posted by
rickair7777
Here's some info re. license conversion:
Foreign Pilot Certification - AOPA
141 or 61 is really your choice. I would default to 61, unless you have a good reason to do 141. In your case, you might find that a 141 school is more familiar with foreign student requirements and visas.
You cannot use a tourist visa for flight training (that's what the 9/11 hijackers did). You'll need an M-1 or F-1 visa; all large schools and some smaller ones can help you with that. Be aware that you will also get a security screening before you can start training (9/11 again).
This is incorrect. A tourist, on a tourist visa can undertake a course of study as part of their vacation. There is a limit to how many hours you can spend learning per week without a student visa (something around 15hrs/week iirc).
You will need to complete the TSA screening regardless of visa status, this can take several months to complete the first time.
If you need a student visa to undertake a prolonged course of study, part 141 schools are the only ones that can be authorized to give them (although not all have sought that authorization).
If you can start training at a part 61 school, you're likely to spend less money. However, since a tourist visa typically won;t allow you to stay for a great length of time, you might need a part 141 school to finish your other ratings at.