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.
The Pelican conversion program is designed for pilots who already hold a CPL or higher from any ICAO member state authority. Common backgrounds:
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:
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.
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 |
| Foreign ATP holder | FAA CPL+IR+MEL+CFI ratings | $35,000 - $54,000 | 6-9 months |
| Military pilot (any country) | FAA CPL/IR/MEL + CFI | Customized, typically $30,000 - $48,000 | 5-8 months |
Plus living expenses of approximately $1,800-$2,500 per month during the conversion period.
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.
Once you hold your FAA CPL, two US employment pathways open:
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.
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.
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.
Yes. Every hour in your logbook counts toward FAA total time requirements regardless of which authority issued your home license. FAA total time, cross-country, instrument and other hour requirements all accept ICAO-logged hours.
Typical timeline is 60-90 days from the date you submit your verification request through the FAA. The FAA contacts your home authority to confirm your license is valid. The timeline depends on how quickly your home authority responds. Some authorities (EASA, UK CAA, GCAA, Transport Canada) typically respond in 30-45 days. Others (CAAC, some smaller national authorities) can take 90-120 days.
No. Hours and ratings transfer. You complete only the differences training to meet FAA standards and pass the FAA written tests and practical checkrides. Typical conversion involves 20-50 hours of additional training depending on your starting credentials.
Yes, through ICAO-compliant reverse conversion. See the country recognition table above for specific processes for your home country.
Yes. Pelican is one of only four FAA Part 141 helicopter-accredited schools in the US. We can add helicopter PPL-H, CPL-H or CFI-H to your conversion program. See helicopter pilot training.
Yes, significantly. Conversion programs range from $8,000 (PPL only) to $54,000 (full ATP-equivalent with CFI ratings). Compare to $68,310 for the full Professional Pilot Program from zero hours.
Yes. Military pilots from any country can convert to FAA CPL through a specific military-to-civilian pathway. Each case is customized based on your military aircraft experience, flight hours and existing instructor or examiner qualifications.
You will need certified English translations of your logbook entries and your foreign license. Pelican admissions can recommend approved translators if needed.
EASA conversion is typically more complex because EASA theory is more rigorous than most national authorities, and the EASA ATPL theory in particular is significantly more demanding than the FAA ATP CTP. However, EASA hours and ratings transfer cleanly to FAA, and most EU/UK pilots find FAA conversion more straightforward than going the reverse direction.
Submit your online application with copies of your foreign license, logbook summary and current medical. Our admissions team reviews within 24 business hours and produces a personalized conversion plan.
Or contact admissions at +1 (954) 966-9750 for a conversion consultation specific to your home country and starting credentials.
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.
