Resources

Foreign Flight
Training Students.

International students train at Inflight every year. Once you complete the TSA security process, your training and certificate requirements are the same as for U.S. citizens. We guide you through every step, from application to fingerprinting to your first lesson.

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Training in the U.S.

FAA licenses are recognized in most countries. Train here with confidence.

The FAA governs aviation in the United States. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must complete a security threat assessment through the TSA before beginning flight training, even if you are a permanent resident or green card holder (Form I-551). You also need an appropriate visa; most visa types (other than B1/B2 tourist or Visa Waiver Program) allow you to begin the process. At Inflight we charge a one-time administration fee and assign you a Certified Flight Instructor who walks you through the entire process: TSA application, fingerprinting, and follow-up. We meet with you over several sessions and stay your main contact for status updates and timely processing.
We’ll guide you
  • One-on-one walkthrough with a CFI
  • TSA application and fingerprinting support
  • One-time administration fee
  • Your main contact for status and scheduling
Requirements & Exemptions

Who This Applies To

Who must complete the TSA process?

You must participate in the TSA security threat assessment (Foreign Flight Training Student Program) if you are a non-U.S. citizen seeking flight training in the United States, or at a U.S.-certificated school abroad, for a U.S. airman certificate under 14 CFR. That includes training toward a recreational, sport, or private pilot certificate; multiengine or instrument rating; or any initial U.S. airman certificate issued by the FAA.

Exemptions

You do not need to complete this process if you are:

  • Seeking only recurrent training (e.g. flight review, instrument proficiency check, or training under 14 CFR 61.31)
  • Seeking only ground training
  • Participating in a discovery or demonstration flight for marketing purposes
  • Receiving training from the Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, or their contractors
  • Endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense (separate instructions apply)

U.S. citizens

Determine applicability. Citizenship verification applies only to flight training toward a recreational, sport, or private pilot certificate; instrument rating; or multiengine rating.

Proof of citizenship. You must show one of: valid unexpired U.S. passport; original U.S. birth certificate and government-issued picture ID; original certification of birth abroad (Form FS-545 or DS-1350) and picture ID; original certificate of U.S. citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561) or Certificate of Repatriation (N-581) and picture ID; or original U.S. Naturalization Certificate (Form N-550 or N-570) and government-issued picture ID.

Logbook/record-keeping. Your instructor must keep a copy of the document for five years and make an endorsement in both the instructor’s logbook and your logbook. Wording must certify that you presented the document and are a U.S. citizen or national in accordance with 49 CFR 1552.3(h), with date and instructor’s signature and CFI number.

Staff security training

Under TSA rules, every flight school employee and independent instructor must complete recurrent security awareness training every 12 months. A current exemption allows this to be completed up to one calendar month before or after the due month. This training keeps our team aware of security-related incidents, measures, and procedures that affect the airport and flight school.

This page applies to non–U.S. citizens seeking flight training in aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 lbs or less.

For more information, contact AOPA’s Pilot Information Center at 1-800-USA-AOPA. TSA program questions may be directed to the TSA Help Desk at 571-203-8470 or via the contact options on the TSA flight training security website (fts.tsa.dhs.gov). Please review TSA’s Help Desk guidelines before contacting them.

Process

Steps for Navigating the Process

Follow these steps to complete the TSA security threat assessment and begin flight training as a foreign flight training student.

Step 01
Notify the flight school
Tell Inflight that you intend to start flight training. The school must be registered with TSA before you begin; we will handle registration if needed.
Step 02
Valid email address
TSA communicates mainly by email. Use an address you check regularly so you don’t miss instructions or status updates.
Step 03
Create a TSA account
Create a login at the TSA flight training security program website: fts.tsa.dhs.gov. You’ll need this to submit your request and track progress.
Step 04
Flight school acknowledgment
Wait for Inflight to acknowledge your training request in the system. We can help you complete training details and upload any required documents.
Step 05
Pay the processing fee
Pay the non-refundable $130 processing fee as instructed in the email from TSA. Follow the instructions in that email exactly.
Step 06
Preliminary approval
Watch for a “Preliminary Approval” email from TSA. This indicates you can proceed to the next step.
Step 07
Submit fingerprints
Submit your fingerprints to TSA according to the instructions in the email. Timing and location options will be specified by TSA.
Ready to train
You're cleared to begin
Once TSA approves your request, your training and experience requirements are the same as any U.S. citizen. We’ll help you schedule your first lesson.
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What applicant category do I qualify for?

Aliens seeking flight training in an aircraft with a MTOW 12,500 pounds or less qualify as a Category 3 candidate. A brief explanation of the four categories:

Category 1: Candidates who seek flight training in the operation of aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight (MTOW) greater than 12,500 pounds, but who do not fall into Category 2.

Category 2: Candidates who seek flight training in the operation of aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight (MTOW) greater than 12,500 pounds, and who: Are employed by a foreign air carrier that operates under 14 CFR part 1546; Have unescorted access authority to a secured area of an airport under U.S.C 44936(a)(1)(A)(ii), 49 CFR 1542.229; Are a flight crew member who has successfully completed a criminal history records check in accordance with 49 CFR 1544.230; or Hold an airman’s certificate that is recognized by the FAA or appropriate US military agency, with a type rating for a multi-engine aircraft that has a certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or more.

Category 3: Candidates who seek flight training in the operation of aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less for the following training event.

  • Initial airman’s certificate, including a private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate.
  • If a private and/or commercial license is the candidate’s initial FAA license, it is considered an initial airman’s certificate and is not exempt.

Category 4: Candidates who seek recurrent training in the operation of aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight (MTOW) greater than 12,500 pounds, and are current and qualified on the aircraft for which they are requesting training. These training requests are submitted by the flight training providers.

Am I required to resubmit fingerprints for taking additional flight training as a foreign flight training student?

No. If done correctly the first time, additional flight training for foreign flight training students does not require resubmitting additional fingerprints. However, you must use the same account (PIN) number that you used for your initial flight training request in order for this exemption to apply.

If I transfer to a different flight school, do I have to go through this entire process again as a foreign flight training student?

Yes. However, you should not need to submit fingerprints. You will have to pay the $130 processing fee again. If you are training with an independent flight instructor who does not work for a flight school and want to fly with another independent flight instructor, you will need to file an additional training request.

I am pursuing a U.S. pilot certificate based on my foreign license. Am I required to comply with the TSA rule as a foreign flight training student?

TSA has clarified that getting a U.S. certificate based on a foreign license (reference FAR 61.75) does not apply to the requirements of the rule. However, if you choose to apply for a “stand-alone” FAA pilot certificate no longer based on your foreign license, you must comply with this rule. The TSA views this as receiving an initial FAA pilot certificate and qualifies under the TSA definition of flight training.

Can an alien candidate register without a passport as a foreign flight training student?

You are generally required to have a passport, but there are some people with very special circumstances of foreign flight training students who cannot obtain a passport. TSA will handle these situations on a case-by-case basis. Contact AOPA’s Pilot Information Center at 1-800-USA-AOPA or the TSA Help Desk for further guidance.

I am pursuing a U.S. pilot certificate at a flight school located outside the United States. Do I need to comply with this rule as a foreign flight training student?

Yes. The rule applies to the issuance of a U.S. airman certificate at any flight school located in or outside the United States that is providing flight training under 14 CFR for foreign flight training students.

I was approved by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Flight Training Candidate Checks Program (FTCCP); do I have to go through the TSA background check as a foreign flight training student?

The AFSP (Alien Flight Student Program) requires candidates to submit a request for each instance of flight training. Although some candidates have received final approval in the past through the DOJ’s Flight Training Candidate Checks Program (FTCCP), they must submit a request for approval of new training through the AFSP website. Please note that any user ID and password that was created for the FTCCP website will work on the AFSP website; you do not need to create a new account if you already have one from the FTCCP.

Are introductory or “discovery” flights exempt from the requirements of the TSA rule?

Yes. TSA has stated through correspondence with AOPA that introductory or “discovery” flights are exempt from the requirements of the TSA rule.

What is the definition of flight training as it pertains to this rule for the purposes of needing to undergo citizenship verification?

The TSA has further interpreted the definition of “flight training” for aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less to only apply to training for a recreational pilot, sport pilot, or private pilot certificate; multiengine rating (at any certificate level, i.e., does not apply to MEI); or instrument rating (does not include recurrent training).

Do the requirements for citizenship verification apply for flight reviews, aircraft checkouts, or instrument proficiency checks?

No. TSA has interpreted the definition of “recurrent training” to not include any flight review, proficiency check, or other check required by 14 CFR § 61.57 or § 61.58 whose purpose is to review rules, maneuvers, or procedures, or to demonstrate a pilot’s existing skills. The TSA has further interpreted the definition of “flight training” for aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less to only apply to training for a recreational pilot, sport pilot, or private pilot certificate; multiengine rating (at any certificate level, i.e., does not apply to MEI); or instrument rating (does not include recurrent training).

Get started

Ready to train with us?We’ll guide you.

If you’re not a U.S. citizen and want to begin flight training at Inflight, we’ll walk you through the TSA process, fingerprinting, and paperwork so you can focus on flying.

Apply through FTSP