EASA / ICAO to FAA Conversion

Application with the IACRA

The first step in the EASA/ICAO to FAA conversion process is to create an application account with the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) and proceed with filling out the form.

List of countries where students require additional approval from their national CAA:

• Cyprus
• UK
• Ireland
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Malaysia

You can either fill out the form electronically (preferred method) or download the application form and send it via mail.

Please include a copy of your foreign license. A copy of the foreign medical is only required if you would like a verification of both the foreign license and medical certificate.

Uploading Required Documents

Once the account is created and activated with the IACRA, please proceed to select the “Start Foreign License Verification Process” option found on the main console. Fill in the required information and proceed to upload your EASA PPL License and Medical Certificate for verification.

The FAA will further review the validity and currency of your license by contacting the country your license was issued. This process may take from 30 days up to 3 months (in some cases, even earlier). You will then receive a verification letter which is valid for 6 months and can be renewed following the same process.

Travel to the USA

Upon receiving your verification letter, you are required to be in the United States to continue the conversion process.

If you are traveling from a country that requires a visa to enter the US and wish to continue your pilot training beyond PPL, then you will need to apply for the student visa - M1 Visa. Otherwise, a tourist visa will suffice. Either way, please plan for the 6 months your verification letter is valid, or renew it if needed.

Meet with an FAA Inspector

Flying Academy will complete your profile on the IACRA for conversion and make an appointment with an FAA Inspector who will review all the paperwork to check the validity of your documents and to verify your identity.

What you are required to have for the meeting:

• Have a current verification letter
• Hold a current medical certificate (EASA or FAA of at least 3rd Class)
• If you would like to convert your Instrument Rating, you will need to bring your IR knowledge test report.
• Furthermore, you will need to be able to speak, write, and understand English fluently.

After this meeting, a temporary Airmen certificate will be issued to you where you will be able to exercise PPL privileges in the US.

Flight Review

As FAA licenses do not have a set expiry date, you need to perform a Flight Review with a Certified Flight Instructor within every two years (24 calendar months). You are required to have your first flight review prior to using your FAA License converted from a foreign license in order to gain the privileges of PPL under FAA.

There will be a theoretical knowledge class which is typically 1 hour long, and a flight lesson with an FAA-certified instructor.

Begin Flying!

You will continue building your flight hours according to the hours required for proceeding further to complete your other licenses whether EASA/ICAO/FAA.

Once you receive the physical FAA license/certificate, you are required to keep both the FAA licenses/certificates, a photo ID, your EASA/ICAO License, and medical (EASA/ICAO/FAA) in physical possession when exercising your FAA privileges.

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