Information for international students

Student Visas

How to Apply

Accommodations

Transportation

Foreign Pilot License Conversion

Flight Time Certification

Student Visas

Silver Express is approved by the US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS – formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service) to accept international students for full-time training.  Admission into the United States to participate in the "M-1 Vocational Student Visa Status Program" requires the issuance of a BCIS I-20 form by the Academy.  Once an I-20 form is issued, students can apply for an M-1 Visa at the US Consulate in their home country.

To obtain an I-20 form (used to apply for the M-1 Visa), an applicant must:

	Be at least 18 years old.
	Document at least 12 years of academic education by providing an official copy of a high school diploma or equivalent, translated into English.
	Document financial ability to fund tuition expenses and personal support for the duration of the program.  This documentation MUST be in the form of a official letter from your bank showing the amount of funds available, in US Dollars, sufficient to finance all training, housing, personal expenses, etc., while in the United States	.
	Demonstrate the ability to read, write and understand English language.

In addition, the US BCIS requires:

·         Full time participation of at least 22 training hours per week.

·         Demonstration of financial ability on a continued basis.

Each applicant is required to provide full and complete information on the application for admission and to submit all documentation with a non-refundable application fee prior to receiving the I-20 Form.  Once the school receives the required documentation, an I-20 form will be sent by express delivery.  Under an M-1 Visa, international students will not be permitted to work in any capacity, paid or unpaid, while in the U.S.

In some cases a student may be able to transfer an existing M-1, F-1, or tourist visa to Silver Express.  Requests to transfer visas or transfer schools require adherence to the policies and procedures of the US BCIS.  For more information on visa and school transfers, please see the website: www.immigration.gov

The decision to issue an M-1 Visa is a collaborative effort by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. BCIS, and the US Department of State. Training is conducted under Parts 61 and 141 of the FAA Regulations

How to Apply

There are 5 steps in the process of enrolling in the flight training program at Silver Express

• 1    Complete the online application.  We will send you a confirmation of your acceptance once we have processed your application.
• 2    Once you receive confirmation that you are accepted for admission, create your user account and pay the enrollment fee ($250.00) online.  Once the fee is paid, we will process and send by express service your I-20 and fee payment receipt.
• 3    Make an appointment with the US Consulate in your country to complete the visa application process.  When you call, provide the number from the payment receipt.  You don't have to pay it again.  The consulate will provide a list of the documents necessary to process your application.  Have these documents ready when you arrive for your appointment.  You may find a local travel agent helpful in preparing your documents.
• 4    Complete the online TSA application, choosing Silver Express as your flight training provider.  This requires payment of $130.00 online by credit card for processing your security clearance.  Details of the process are available here.
• 5    Once you have the appointment with the US Consulate, notify us and we will schedule your flight course.

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Accommodations

Silver Express now provides housing and transportation for our students.  Student housing is available in one our furnished apartments located in Emerald Palms Apartment Homes.

Our rental prices include a fully furnished apartment with full size kitchen, utilities, TV, and telephone. Four students sharing a 2 bedroom apartment will pay approximately $550 per month each. Currency converter

Students may also choose to pay extra to have their own room or apartment.

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Transportation

Transportation can be arranged using the public transportation, or van services starting at $200 per month. Rental cars are also available though Enterprise Rental Car at special rates to our students.

 Please contact us if these services are needed.

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Foreign Pilot License Conversion

Effective July 23, 2002, persons applying for a certificate issued on the basis of a foreign license, using a pilot certificate issued under Section 61.75 to apply for a commercial pilot certificate, applying for an airline transport pilot certificate, or applying for a certificate issued on the basis of a foreign license, must have the validity and currency of the foreign license and medical certificate or endorsement verified by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that issued those certificates, before applying for an FAA certificate or authorization.

Please submit the required information using this FORM.   Send the completed form with the preferred documents to the Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760, PO BOX 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082 or fax the form and documents to (405) 954-9922.  The pre-application documents cannot be sent electronically.

A person who is applying for a U.S. certificate/rating on the basis of a foreign license must apply for that certificate at least 60 days before arriving in Miami.  This initial application step is the responsibility of the applicant. Silver Express can assist in submitting this form.

The information submitted to the Airmen Certification Branch by the applicant must include the following information:

1. The name and date of birth of the applicant.
2. The address where the person wishes to have the verification of authenticity letter, issued by the FAA’s Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760, mailed.
3. The certificate number and ratings on the foreign license.
4. The country of issuance of the person’s foreign license.
5. The location of the FAA Flight Standards District Office where the person intends to make application for his or her U.S. certificate (usually FSDO19 in Miami).
6. A statement that his or her foreign license is not under an order of suspension or revocation.

NOTE: The Airmen Certification Branch would prefer to have a copy of the foreign license and medical certificate or endorsement included with all requests for verification of authenticity of the foreign license.

When verification is received from the CAA, you will receive written notification that a copy has been forwarded to the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) you designated in your request.  The verification is valid for 6 calendar months.  You may make application for a U.S. certificate during that period.

*** IMPORTANT *** Additional requirements for United Kingdom Applicants:

In addition to the procedures stated under Verification of Authenticity of Foreign license, Rating and Medical Certification above, airmen from the United Kingdom should note the following additional steps that are required by the United Kingdom CAA to complete this verification process.  Please visit the UK CAA web site at http://www.caa.co.uk/srg/licensing/whatsnew.asp. The additional forms are required prior to the UK CAA providing any requested information to the Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760.

Please note: The Verification of Authenticity of Foreign license, Rating and Medical Certification form must be submitted directly to the FAA, Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760 not to the UK CAA.  The information required by the UK CAA must be submitted directly to the UK CAA and not to the FAA, Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760.

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Flight Time Certification

All flight time completed at Silver Express will be certified after completion of your flight course.  Apostille certification is also available. This certification is required by some countries before US flight hours are recognized.

 Last Updated:     01/19/2007

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