Originally Posted by
EzyMan
Hi Gents
I have currently started flying the Airbus for a major EU airline.I am under contract with my current airline for the next 3 years. Having spent time in America on multiple occasions I really loved it.
I would really like to move to the US and fly there, as i do not plan on living in Europe for the rest of my life.
Ultimately the end goal would be to fly for a legacy carrier but I am more than happy to fly for regionals or even smaller companies to work my way up. The issue i have is that i am not a US citizen nor have any connection to the US. I am happy to convert my EASA license to an FAA, pass the relevant tests and fund it myself.
My questions are these:
1 - Is it realistic for a US airline to sponsor an EU pilot for a work visa? I know in theory it can be done, but is it a realistic option for me.
I'm not an expert but my understanding is that in practice airline pilots don't usually qualify under the general work visa program (H1-B) because of the way it's structured. Australian citizens do frequently obtain visas and get hired by US airlines but that's under a separate visa provision applicable only to Australia.
Originally Posted by
EzyMan
2 - Once i accumulate over 1500 hours jet time, would it be worth contacting regional and smaller airlines to see if they would hire me and sponsor me for a visa?
It wouldn't hurt but I don't recall any airlines doing that (other than the Australian thing, which is pretty easy and basically automatic). The problem is the airline would have to jump through a lot of hoops, spend time and money, with no assurance or even likelihood of success. They'd probably have to document that they have a shortage of US pilot applicants at prevailing wages, which they most certainly do not.
Originally Posted by
EzyMan
3 - Aside from finding a spouse, what options or pathways are open to me to flying in the US? I love flying and Im hard working, i dont mind what airline i work for as long as i can fly and work.
I'll say this, most of the foreign-born pilots I've flown with at the airlines are married to Americans.
You could apply for the immigration/green card lottery, that's available to anyone with different quotas for different nationalities. I think for some nationalities the quota is low or zero, but EU people should have at least some chance.
You might also be able to find a flight school or maybe simulator training center that would sponsor you, we had a few of those back when I was an instructor. From there you'd have to work on getting a green card so you could apply freely to airlines (Tinder?).