I’m asking for my cousin whose dream is to be a pilot and eventually work and live in the states. She is finishing up high school in Spain, her home. Testimonials, I’ve heard, are all over the map as to how immigrants have joined the u.s pilot work force, but are dated. I’m looking for any tangible guidance I can offer her. She doesn’t have financial support, so she will need loans. Preferably a 141 school unless a 4 year degree offers the best chance to stay after getting rated. Costs appear to explode when I look at 4-year flight programs. I’ve reached out to schools but I’m getting a sales pitch just to find out they aren’t even an option when we get down to the nitty gritty.

Thanks to everyone in advance!

You need to meet with an immigration attorney.
There are in excess of 50 visa categories and a majority do not allow to file for a greencard application.
I believe there are still 3 student visa categories, each with their own restrictions.
A 4 year degree at for instance UND would allow to instruct at the University.

I’ll pass the UND thing along. But it’s clear that most immigration lawyers don’t know 2 poops about aviation or the mechanisms there in.

Its not about aviation, not right now at least.
Its about carefully selecting the correct type of visa that allows you either to work in your field of study (temporary) or lead to a green card application.
THAT you need an immigration attorney for.
Don’t jump the gun and end up with the wrong visa.

That is fair. Appreciate the response. Now I wonder how financing goes for those foreign students. 4-yr programs are great but they triple the cost of what we know isn’t necessary debt. Curious what limitations there are going the 141 route in this arena.

I don’t know of any way to get financing as a foreign national. Easy enough to bail after racking up a debt.

I've trained students from all over the world including Spain. They all funded their training with their own money. There are no loans for foreign nationals.

Your cousin would have to pay for the entire program and living expenses with cash. Generally speaking, 141 schools and the larger universities are more expensive but they can issue you a student visa to stay in the U.S. until you finish their program / degree. I have one student who finished his degree at Embry Riddle and is able to stay for a few years as a flight instructor only. There are no visas for foreign pilots except for the E3 visa for Australian pilots. You need legal work rights (green card or citizenship) to work for a U.S. carrier.

Really appreciate your post. I’ll pass this along. Thanks to both here who responded.

Standby one, have a read

Anyone seen a pilot in ULCC without Greencardhtml

So it is possible to fly for a Regional with some sort of visa extension.

Not entirely correct.
Allegiant has tried to get pilots on an H1B visa.
How successful they have been, I don’t know.
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