Desperate for some Advise
 

Hello. I need some serious advise as all my attempt to get any info about what I need to know has failed. :o

I'm currently working to build flight time. I have FAA Commecial Multi with Instrument, AGI, FCC and BSc in Aviation in the US. I have a US work permit that expires next February which doesn't have re-entry previlidges.

I'd like to stay in US and work. The only way I can stay here beyond February 2008 is if an US employer sponsors me for an H-1B work pemit which have unlimited re-entry previledges to US. This kind of work permit requires that the job is salary based with full benifits.

Once I get the work permit I will have to continue to work for the same employer for up to 5 years untill I get a Green Card, which is fine with me.

Every regionals I talked to said they won't even take my resume unless I'm a US resident, but I'm not able to apply for residency unless I get sponsored for a work permit first by an US employer. Of course evey regional airline is totally capable of sponcering me, but I'm not able to get a hold of the right kind of inside man for that. At this point I'll take a job with any regonals in a heart beat to fly anything.

If I have to go back home than my flying carries is over as I won't be able to get a medical. Getting ICAO medical is a pain and if your eye is not 20/20 without correctie leses they only pass you if your eye is not worse than a certain level. Mine is worse than what they allow, but with FAA I can get my medical easy as FAA issues you a Class A as long as you can see 20/20 with corrective lenses.

Any one got any advise/ideas to what are my best options? :confused:

Where are you from? Just curious.

If I were you I would try to apply at one of the larger flight schools like FlightSafety Academy. They might be able or willing to sponsor you as an instructor. They are larger and deal with international students and know better the ins and outs of how this works regarding sponsoring someone than the local airport or regional airline for that matter. Or try the school where you went? Get your CFI if you don't have it and try to get a job with one of the larger schools. That's my advice.

not to be rude, but go fly in your own country:p

I have a bunch of friends with the same problem. Although none of them want to be pilots but they need to be sponsored. I'm going to be honest with you, getting sponsored is really really hard....... it's not like it used to be in the early 90's. The US government plays some games. They don't care about pilots now. Right now the only people that are being sponsored as far as I know are nurses, harvest laborers, Ambientalist (Chemical engineers) and some petroleum engineers. Only few of my friends were able to stay and that's because THEY GOT MARRIED. (key word here).

If there's a chance you get sponsored in the aviation field it's probably going to be with a flight school. GET YOUR CFI ASAP.

There's a Cessna pilot center here where I live that is in much need of CFIs. I know the owner and he said he's willing to sponsor a foreign if he/she stay with them for some time (He didn't mention how long). They never done this before and I mentioned it was going to be a lot of paperwork and he said he don't mind. Also you might want to try with flightsafety or ATP.

Good luck !

Marry an American chic (a US citizen).

I know some university flight schools will sponsor you.

Unless your background is Native American, I'd think twice about that comment.

Even the Native American's walked across from Asia...So I guess it comes down to who stole it fair and square LoL

Get on your knees or get your CFI.

If you don't mind please forward me some info about that shcool you are talking about. I know I will have to flight instruct, but I know it takes 4-6 years to get green card. I dubt I can handle instructin for that long and also when people sponsor you the also use you like theres no tomorrow. I like the states, so I wanna stay here. I know it's not like I deserve the same previledges like US citizens, but if I have to be some ones work horse to stay here than I'd much rather go back home. I know from experience because I have heard stories from people that when people sponsors you they basicly make you their slave. I love flying, so I don't mind working when it comes to flying. So as long as the person you are talking about is a nice guy and don't just try to use peopleI'd definitely love to contact him. I should have my CFI in about a week. I wasn't sure if it's worth getting CFI as I only have less than 8 months of visa left. My email is [email protected]