M1 Visa for Pilot Training Process

US Aviation Academy is a Flight School M1 Visa program. This is a Vocational Visa that allows international students to enter the United States to conduct our Accelerated Flight Training from Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Multi-Engine Pilot. This will allow candidates to return home to their country of origin to begin working as Commercial Pilots.
Overview i-20 Form Embassy Interview TSA Clearance Virtual Ground

Before Beginning Your Enrollment Process to Become a Commercial Pilot in the United States:

Review Training Options & Cost

Review Training Timelines

Flight School M1 Visa Initial Requirements for I-20

All international students attending flight school M1 visas are required to have an I-20 Form to gain entry into the United States. A non-refundable fee of $350 is required to compile and submit your I-20 information. Upon receipt of your I-20 fee and your completed Enrollment Packet via DocuSign, US Aviation Academy will send you an acceptance letter and your completed I-20. Please thoroughly read the information given herein and carefully follow the instructions to begin the enrollment process.
If you also need an M-2 for dependents, additional information will be requested and submission of a DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application is required. There is a $50 fee per dependent to process documentation for M-2s.

Demonstrate Financial Ability

We must have documentation reflecting adequate funds required for the full price of training (based on the pricing quote). This documentation can be any of the following or a combination of the following:
  • Bank statement issued no more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the application:
    • Must be on the official letterhead of the financial institution
    • Must reflect the name of the account holder
    • Must indicate the currency being used for calculation (preferably US currency, but not required)
  • Loan approval document issued no more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the application
    • Must be on the official letterhead of the financial lending institution
    • Must reflect the name of the account holder
    • Must indicate the currency being used for calculation (preferably US currency, but not required)
    • If a sponsor is paying for individuals training, we must have a letter of financial responsibility from that sponsor, along with proof of identification of the sponsor (i.e. passport, driver's license, green card, etc…)
* Before we review your documents for an I-20, we must receive payment and all required documents.

Apply Below to Start Flight School M1 Visa Process

Begin your I-20 Application

Timeline: 2 – 3 Weeks

Prepare for Your US Embassy Interview

  • I-20 Form
  • Passport
  • Financial Statements and other supporting documents
  • Evidence you will return to your country upon completion of the course:
    • Down payment receipt
    • House or other hard assets in your home country
    • Job opportunities in your home country
    • Family relations
  • Receipt for payment of Form I-901 ($350)
  • Form DS-160 ($185)

US Embassy Interview

During the interview, the US Embassy will look for English skills, evidence you will return home after completion, and financial capability. We suggest you practice your interview with a friend or family member and research the aviation field in your home country. Two of the most important questions asked by the U.S. Embassy are as follows:
  • Why would you like to become a pilot?
  • What assurance can you give us that you will return to your home country after the completion of your flight training?
You will be notified as to whether you have been approved or disapproved. If all is in order, the U.S. Embassy will provide you with an M-1 Student Visa permitting you to enter the United States. The length of time for this process varies from country to country.
NOTE: If you have your Private Pilot and need to convert it to an FAA Private Pilot Certificate, you must start that conversion process immediately from your home country.
You may be asked to present to the U.S. Embassy a copy of US Aviation Academy’s Air Agency Certificate. To print a copy, click here: 141 Certificate

Timeline: Weeks to Months (Country Dependent)

International Ground School (Virtual)

  • Conducted via Zoom with Flight Instructor
  • Accelerate Flight Training: 5 to 6 months
  • Estimated Cost: $2,745
  • Cost of Ground School Deducted from Total Cost

Take One or Three Ground Schools

  • Take our Ground Schools Virtually
    • Private Pilot (4 Weeks)
    • Instrument Rating (4 Weeks)
    • Commercial Certificate (4 Weeks)
*Accelerate training by completing the ground school before arrival so you can fly immediately upon arrival.
**Cost of Ground School is deducted from the total projected cost of the programs themselves, NOT in addition to!

Timeline: 1 – 3 Months

Depends on courses taken and will be concurrent with the US Embassy Timeline

Before You Departure – Ensure You Have Housing!

You are responsible for securing your housing, US Aviation Academy may have options or recommendations, but we do not assure housing. Check out Gateway of Denton, that is where most of our international students reside. It's a short drive to Denton Airport and we have a shuttle service that goes between the location.

Before You Departure – Make Your Initial Deposit!

If you paid for the Virtual Ground school, that counts as your deposit. For all others, your minimum deposit prior to departure will be outlined in the Enrollment Packet.

Ready for Departure!

Prior to your arrival in the United States, and AFTER receiving the M-1 Student Visa and submission of all required fees and payments to US Aviation Academy, you MUST provide us with the details of your travel arrangements. Please email us to provide the following flight information:
  • Name of the airline
  • Flight number
  • Flight arrival time at DFW International Airport
  • US Aviation requests that you take a Taxi from DFW International Airport to our location in Denton, Texas. Our address to give to the taxi is below:
    • 4850 Spartan Drive
    • Denton, TX, 76207
 
Potential Students who have Permanent Residency in the US via Green Card must go through this process as well.

The TSA Clearance Process:

  • Go to https://www.fts.tsa.dhs.gov/
  • Click LOGIN → New Student Account
  • Complete all the requested information; if you have any questions, we can help you. Here are a few items that students usually need assistance in completing.
  • You MUST give your Last Name and Your First Name as they appear on your passport
  • Training Request Course Name: Initial
  • Aircraft Type is the particular aircraft model you will be flying to earn your rating, for example, Cessna 172
  • Category is 3; this signifies aircraft under 12,500 lbs
  • Pay the $130 processing fee directly to the TSA
  • You will also need to upload a color copy of your passport and your visa.

Payment for Student Pilot Training

Your arrival deposit will be due upon arrival at the Academy's Campus. Meet with Student Services to process.

Student Pilot Training Agreement

Each student is required to sign a Student Pilot Training Agreement. If you would like to read the agreement and other entrance document paperwork in their entirety, please contact a representative through one of the contact forms.