Hello,

I just spoke with a recruiter at AWI and received confirmation that they are sponsoring Canadian pilots with the H1B visa.

I'm wondering if there are any Canadians here who have recently been through the process to answer a couple questions:

1) How long did it take to get the visa approved?
2) Do you need to convert to FAA licenses or does the ATP ride get you the license?
3) Does having 1000 hours 705 (Canadian equivalent of 121) count towards the command requirements?
4) How is AWI compared to the Canadian regionals? Obviously, the pay is much better, about twice as much, but is the environment and work rules similar (i.e. is it worth leaving a Canadian regional for?)
5) Has anyone gotten a green card through AWI? Is it possible? If so, how long does it take?

Thanks!

Just for clarification, a minor point.

In addition to H1-B visas for special skilled workers (most all with a BA/BS or higher) where they certify the are unable to fill all the positions with US citizens, citizens of Canada and Mexico may apply for a TN visa. (Similar certification requirements.)

TN is not subject to the cap (they run out of H1-B visas available before they run out of applicants.)

In the software programing field it has been alleged there have been widespread abuses of the H1-B visas. In other area (doctors, engineers, scientists, lawyers, business specialties) it appears to be used pretty legitimately.

I don’t have any inside knowledge as to which they are applying for.

TN visa is job specific and apparently pilot is not on the list of eligibility for TN.

The 1000 hrs part 121 must be 121 time. Foreign experience doesn't count. I confirmed that with the FAA.
A little frustrating because I have almost 10,000 hours and a lot of that is regional jet PIC time flying in and out of major US airports. I still need to sit in the right seat for a couple of years to get experience.

Are you a U.S. citizen or resident? Or are you on the H1B like I am looking into?

My mother is a US citizen but didn't spend enough time in the U.S as a child to give me citizenship automatically. She sponsored me for a green card. As a married adult child it was a 12 year wait for the visa. I started the process in 2001 and got my green card, along with my wife and kids in 2014.

Wow, 12 years?

Is there room for one more in your family?