International students train at US flight schools on an M-1 visa (vocational study). The process: (1) get accepted at an SEVP-approved flight school and receive Form I-20, (2) pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ($350), (3) apply for the M-1 at your US embassy or consulate ($185 MRV fee), (4) complete TSA Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) approval before any flight training beyond Discovery, (5) fly. Total process time: 8–14 weeks. Full ratings PPL–CPL are permitted; ATP-CTP is not. Our foreign pilot license conversion and international student services walk you through it end to end.
Why the M-1 and Not the F-1?
F-1 visas are for academic study (bachelor's, master's, English language). M-1 is for vocational/technical training, which is what flight schools offer unless they're bundled inside a college degree program. Most Part 61 and standalone Part 141 flight schools issue M-1 I-20s. Universities like Embry-Riddle can issue F-1 I-20s because flight training is inside a degree program.
What's the Full Application Process?
- 1. Apply and get accepted at an SEVP-approved flight school (verify at ice.gov/sevis).
- 2. Receive Form I-20 from the school's Designated School Official (DSO).
- 3. Pay SEVIS I-901 fee ($350) at FMJfee.com.
- 4. Complete DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application.
- 5. Pay MRV visa fee ($185).
- 6. Schedule and attend embassy interview with I-20, DS-160 confirmation, passport, financial evidence, and school acceptance letter.
- 7. Receive M-1 visa (typically 2–8 weeks after interview).
- 8. Enter US up to 30 days before program start date.
What Is the TSA Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP)?
Any non-US citizen taking flight training that leads to a pilot certificate (Private and above) must be approved by the TSA under 49 CFR §1552. Discovery flights are exempt. You register at flightschoolcandidates.gov, submit fingerprints, pay $130 per training category (Initial, Recurrent), and wait 5–14 days for approval before your school can start any flight instruction that counts toward a rating.
You need a separate AFSP approval for each rating category: Initial for PPL, Category II for Instrument/Commercial upgrades, and additional categories for multi and jet type ratings later.
How Long Does the Whole Timeline Take?
- School acceptance + I-20 issuance: 1–3 weeks
- SEVIS fee + DS-160 + embassy scheduling: 1–4 weeks (varies by country)
- Embassy interview to visa in hand: 2–8 weeks
- TSA AFSP approval (can start once school accepts): 5–14 days
- Total realistic: 8–14 weeks from initial application to first flight
What Documents Do You Need?
- Passport valid 6+ months beyond intended stay
- Financial evidence — 12 months of tuition + living expenses (typically $80,000–$150,000 shown as bank statements, scholarship letter, or sponsor affidavit)
- Academic transcripts and English proficiency (schools set their own English requirement — most accept TOEFL 70+ or IELTS 5.5+)
- FAA Class 1 or 2 medical from an AME (can be done in the US after arrival)
- Proof of ties to home country (return intent — often the hardest part of the interview)
Which Ratings Can You Train For on M-1?
You can complete Private, Instrument, Commercial Single- and Multi-Engine, and CFI/CFII/MEI under an M-1. What you cannot do on M-1: work as an instructor for pay (that requires an H-1B or O-1), take the ATP-CTP course (typically airline-sponsored under different visa), or extend indefinitely — M-1 is capped at 1 year plus limited extensions.
Why Do International Students Choose Florida?
300+ VFR days per year (vs. 180–220 in the Northeast), rental rates 20–35% below Northern schools, and dense Class B/C airspace that mirrors what you'll fly at home. See our Florida training breakdown.
Ready to Apply?
Our International Student services team issues I-20s, walks you through AFSP registration, and coordinates lodging and airport pickup. Contact us and we'll open your application within 48 hours.