EngineFailure

I got married in the U.S. but haven't applied for a green card yet. (it's gonna take about 1.5 years from now)

I currently hold a 3-year STEM OPT visa (graduation visa) to work, and got hired by a regional.

Want to move on straight to ULCC, but the email I got from the recruiters is that I need a green card to apply

However, I heard rumors that some pilots in the ULCCs don't hold a green card and currently working there

Has anyone seen anybody in this kind of situation?

TiredSoul

Yes and no, there are probably several thousand pilots on an E-3 visa which is only applicable to Australian nationals.
I don’t think you have much to complain about as you’re flying for a Regional with what’s basically an extension on a student visa.
Sit back, enjoy the ride, upgrade.

RenanZ

Gentlemen, good evening

Although not exactly the same subject, but kind related, I would like to use this thread to look for some career advices:

I'm an south american citizen, and throughout the past few months, saw a lot of advertisement about the pilot shortage and the possibility to apply for an EB2 NIW visa, to pursue a career in USA.
Despite the whole immigration process and licence conversation with the FAA, with all can take up to 2 or 2,5 years long, I estimate that, after that period,
I will be 35y old, logging +3000H, being +2000h on the B737, which I'm currently type rated (although all SIC time), with a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Sciences and Post-Graduation in aviation safety


I wonder if your guys have any clues or hints where that kind of experience/resumé can get me into (Legacy, Regional, Cargo, Fractional, etc)?!


**Of course, talk about something so far away in the future is hard, however I rather hear from you than only from greedy lawyers

rickair7777

Yes that experience will get you hired by a legacy or second-tier major no problem.

But you need to find out if you can actually get an airline pilot job with an EB2 visa. I have not heard of that, and airlines don't actually *require* an advanced degree. Many of the old timers have one, but you can get hired with a HS diploma these days so undergrad or advanced degrees are clearly not required.

Immigration specialists and lawyers typically don't know a single thing about aviation in general or airlines specifically, so be careful there.

EngineFailure

my dad actually tried that couple of months ago but was denied for eb2. the lawyer said he'll get approved for sure but that was not the case.

They said he should reapply but I don't think he will, just going to Qatar

M4HQ

I personally know guys who had recently got approval for Green Card via Eb-2 Niw. They are currently working for Latam, Qatar Airways, Turksih Airlines, Rynair, Emirates. 3 of them from Brazil. One of them form Turkey. One of them is an Italian. EB2 visa just let you in The USA(It is a Single entry visa it does not give you working authorization) If you pay 2500 Usd for premium process for green card to USCIS. You could obtain the card less than 45 days.

Their comon points are:

-They have 10+ Years experience
-Post Graduate Degree
-They have FAA Unrestricted ATP
-They are Captains
-They have TRI backround.
-They are making more money than average US LCC Captain.