ICAO and EASA Pilot License Conversion to FAA at Pelican Flight Training
FAA Part 141 conversion program for ICAO and EASA license holders. CPT and OPT eligible. Timeline and cost depend on your existing licence and hours.
If you hold a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Instrument Rating (IR), Multi-Engine Rating (MEL) or higher certificate from an ICAO member authority (your home country aviation authority) or EASA (European Union), Pelican Flight Training offers a structured conversion program to the equivalent FAA certificate. The program transfers your existing hours and ratings to the FAA framework, lets you complete only the differences training, and qualifies you for US-based employment as a Certified Flight Instructor or in OPT (Optional Practical Training) post-graduation. Below is the country-by-country recognition reference for ICAO authorities globally.
Who This Program Is For
The Pelican conversion program is designed for pilots who already hold a CPL or higher from any ICAO member state authority. Common backgrounds:
- EASA license holders from European Union, UK (post-Brexit), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland
- DGAC license holders from Mexico, France, Chile, Peru, Ecuador
- JCAB license holders from Japan
- GCAA license holders from United Arab Emirates
- GACA license holders from Saudi Arabia
- ANAC license holders from Brazil, Argentina
- CASA license holders from Australia
- CAA license holders from South Africa, New Zealand, UK
- DGCA license holders from India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bahrain
- CAAC license holders from China
- MOTC/CAA license holders from South Korea
- Aerocivil license holders from Colombia
- ECAA license holders from Egypt
- Conversion-pathway military pilots from any country (transitioning to civilian commercial pilot)
What Hours and Ratings Transfer
Hours logged under your home authority transfer one-for-one to your FAA training pathway. Hours requirements are the same under FAA Part 61 (250 hours total for CPL, 50 hours cross country PIC, etc.), so your existing logbook hours count toward FAA totals.
Ratings transfer with conditions:
- Foreign Pilot License (FPL) endorsement on your FAA Private Pilot certificate is the simplest first step: it lets you fly in the US on your existing foreign certificate with FAA recognition.
- Full conversion to FAA CPL/IR/MEL requires completing the FAA written tests and practical (checkride) tests at each level. Your existing training hours are not retested, but the FAA standards must be demonstrated.
- Differences training bridges any gap between your home authority training and FAA standards. Typical gap is 20-50 hours total (varies by country and hours profile).
The Conversion Process Step by Step
- Submit Pelican application and provide certified copies of your foreign license, logbook (translated to English if needed), and current medical certificate.
- Pelican reviews your background and produces a personalized conversion plan with required FAA written exams, differences training hours, and checkride targets.
- Apply for FAA verification of foreign certificate. The FAA contacts your home authority to verify your license is valid. Typical timeline: 60-90 days for FAA verification.
- Obtain US FAA Medical Certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). See our blog article FAA medical certificate requirements.
- Begin differences training in Pembroke Pines: ground school, simulator, dual instruction in our Cessna 152 / 172 / Piper Seminole fleet.
- Pass FAA written tests (CPL, IR, FOI, FII, depending on conversion target).
- Complete FAA practical (checkride) tests at each level with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner.
- Receive your FAA certificate(s) and begin operating under FAA standards.
- Optional: Add CFI/CFII certifications for US employment as a flight instructor during OPT.
License Recognition by Country (Reference Table)
This reference table shows the general path for converting major national pilot licenses to and from FAA. All conversions follow ICAO-standard procedures, but specific requirements vary by authority. Always confirm current requirements with the authority before planning your conversion timeline.
| Country | Authority | FAA → Local conversion path | Local → FAA conversion path | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | DGAC Mexico | Theory + medical + skills test in Mexican aircraft | FAA written + checkride in US | 6-10 weeks |
| Brazil | ANAC Brasil | ANAC theory (Portuguese) + Class 1 medical + practical test | FAA written + checkride | 6-10 weeks |
| Colombia | Aerocivil | Aerocivil theory + medical + skills test | FAA written + checkride | 4-8 weeks |
| Argentina | ANAC Argentina | ANAC theory + Argentine AME medical + practical test | FAA written + checkride | 8-12 weeks |
| Chile, Peru, Ecuador | DGAC (local) | Local theory + medical + skills test | FAA written + checkride | 6-10 weeks |
| UAE | GCAA | GCAA Air Law + Operations exams + UAE skills test + Class 1 medical | FAA written + checkride | 4-8 weeks |
| Saudi Arabia | GACA | GACA theory + Saudi-registered practical test + medical | FAA written + checkride | 6-10 weeks |
| Egypt | ECAA | ECAA theory + medical + practical skills test | FAA written + checkride | 4-8 weeks |
| Jordan | CARC | CARC theory + Jordanian skills test + medical | FAA written + checkride | 4-8 weeks |
| Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman | CAA / QCAA / BCAA / PACA | Local theory + skills test + medical | FAA written + checkride | 4-10 weeks |
| Japan | JCAB | JCAB theory in Japanese + JCAB medical + skills test in Japanese aircraft | FAA written + checkride | 6-12 weeks |
| South Korea | MOTC / CAA | Korean theory + medical + practical test | FAA written + checkride | 4-8 weeks |
| China | CAAC | CAAC theory (Mandarin) + CAAC medical + skills test in CAAC-registered aircraft. Complex process. | FAA written + checkride | 12-24 weeks (CAAC is the slowest of the major authorities) |
| India | DGCA India | DGCA Air Regulations + theory exams + skills test | FAA written + checkride | 6-10 weeks |
| Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore | DGCA / CAAS / CAAV | Local theory + medical + practical test | FAA written + checkride | 6-10 weeks |
| Thailand, Philippines | CAAT / CAAP | Local theory + medical + practical test | FAA written + checkride | 6-10 weeks |
| EU / EEA | EASA | EASA theory (14 subjects) + EASA medical + practical test. ATPL theory is significant additional work. | FAA written + checkride (faster than reverse direction) | 3-6 months for EU→FAA / 6-12 months FAA→EU |
| UK | UK CAA | UK CAA theory + medical + practical test | FAA written + checkride | 3-6 months |
| Switzerland, Norway, Iceland | FOCA / CAA | National theory + EASA-equivalent process | FAA written + checkride | 3-6 months |
| Australia | CASA | CASA theory + Australian medical + practical test | FAA written + checkride | 6-10 weeks |
| New Zealand | NZ CAA | NZ CAA theory + medical + practical test | FAA written + checkride | 4-8 weeks |
| South Africa | SACAA | SACAA theory + South African medical + practical test | FAA written + checkride | 6-10 weeks |
| Canada | Transport Canada | Canadian written + medical + flight test | FAA written + checkride (Canada and US have streamlined process) | 4-8 weeks both directions |
Important note: Conversion fees and processes change. Verify current requirements directly with the receiving authority before committing to a timeline. Pelican admissions can provide guidance based on our 40 years of experience with specific country conversions.
Program Cost Breakdown
Pelican conversion program pricing depends on your starting credentials and the FAA target certificate. Typical cost ranges:
| Starting credential | FAA target | Typical Pelican program cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign PPL only | FAA PPL | $8,000 - $15,000 | 2-4 months |
| Foreign CPL with IR | FAA CPL + IR | $15,000 - $30,000 | 3-5 months |
| Foreign CPL/IR/MEL | FAA CPL/IR/MEL | $25,000 - $42,000 | 4-7 months |
Plus living expenses of approximately $1,800-$2,500 per month during the conversion period.
F-1 / M-1 Visa for Conversion Students
Pelican is SEVP certified. Conversion students typically come on F-1 visa (academic) for 6+ month programs, or on visitor visa with separate authorization for shorter conversion paths under 6 months.
For students with existing CPL who plan to work as CFI in the US after conversion, the F-1 visa with OPT (Optional Practical Training) is the standard pathway. OPT allows up to 12 months of US employment as a CFI after graduation, perfect for hours-building toward the 1,500 hour ATP minimum if you target US airline employment.
For full visa guidance, see international students page and admissions process.
After Conversion: CPT, OPT and US Employment
Once you hold your FAA CPL, two US employment pathways open:
CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
While still in your F-1 program, you may be eligible for CPT employment as a Certified Flight Instructor at Pelican or at a partner school. CPT lets you work in your field of study during your academic program. Typical CPT roles: ground school instructor, dual instruction for primary students, simulator instructor.
OPT (Optional Practical Training)
After graduation, you may apply for up to 12 months of OPT employment in the US. Most international conversion graduates use this to work as a CFI building hours toward the ATP certificate. OPT income as a CFI is typically $45,000-$75,000 annually.
Sponsorship for H-1B or longer-term US employment
For pilots who want to stay in the US long-term, the H-1B working visa is available with airline or operator sponsorship. Several US helicopter operators and Part 135 charter companies sponsor H-1B for international pilots with hours and ratings that match their needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A CPL or higher issued by any ICAO member state, EASA included, can be converted to an FAA certificate through differences training rather than starting from zero. You keep your logged hours, complete the gaps to FAA standards, and pass the FAA written tests and practical checkrides. Typical conversion at Pelican runs $8,000 to $54,000 depending on which ratings you already hold.
Yes. Every hour in your logbook counts toward FAA total time, cross-country and instrument requirements regardless of which authority issued your licence. That includes hours toward the 1,500 required for an ATP certificate. Bring your logbook and licence documents and admissions will map exactly what carries over.
Typically 60 to 90 days from the day you submit the verification request, because the FAA has to contact your home authority directly. EASA, UK CAA, GCAA and Transport Canada usually answer in 30 to 45 days. Some authorities take 90 to 120 days, so start verification before you book flights.
Not on its own. To fly a US-registered aircraft you need an FAA certificate, either a full conversion or a restricted certificate issued on the basis of your foreign licence under 14 CFR 61.75. A restricted certificate stays tied to your home licence and cannot be used commercially in the US, which is why career pilots convert properly.
No. Hours and ratings transfer, and you complete only the differences training needed to meet FAA standards. A typical conversion involves 20 to 50 additional flight hours depending on your starting credentials. Pilots with a current instrument rating and recent multi-engine time are usually at the low end.
Yes. Military flight time is accepted toward FAA requirements when it is properly documented in your service records and logbook. The path differs from a civil conversion because the FAA looks at your military flight evaluations rather than a civil licence. Send your records to admissions and we will build the conversion plan around them.
Most ICAO member states have a conversion route for FAA certificates, though the exams and checkrides required vary by country. Many of our students plan for that step and keep their home licence current in parallel. Check the current requirements with your national authority before you enrol, because these rules change.
Start Your Conversion Today
Or contact admissions at +1 (954) 966-9750 for a conversion consultation specific to your home country and starting credentials.
Pelican students life
We will be happy to personally assist you in making decision for your future airline career by providing you with all the information you might need and providing answers to all of your questions. Please complete the form, and we will be in touch with you soon.