What is the Alien Flight Student Program?

The Alien Flight Student Program is a program operated by the United States Transportation Security Administration to screen prospective flight student candidates who are not citizens of the United States, before they are allowed to undergo pilot training. This program was created in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks, in recognition of the fact that the individuals who piloted the hijacked aircraft first learned to fly at US flight schools.

The mission of the program is to ensure that foreign students seeking training at flight schools regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) do not pose a threat to aviation or national security. Section 612 of the Vision 100 – Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-176, December 12, 2003) prohibits flight schools regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from providing flight training to a foreign student unless the Secretary of Homeland Security first determines that the student does not pose a threat to aviation or national security. Vision 100 transferred responsibility for conducting security threat assessments for foreign students seeking flight training from the Department of Justice to the Department of Homeland Security. On September 20, 2004, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued an interim final rule establishing the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP).

Persons seeking flight training must submit a request if they are not citizens or nationals of the U.S. and:

• They wish to receive flight training in the U.S. or its territories, regardless of whether training will lead to an FAA certificate or type rating; and/or
• They wish to receive flight training from an FAA-certificated facility, provider, or instructor that could lead to an FAA rating whether in the U.S. or abroad.

(NOTE-Certain exemptions to AFSP published in 2004 and 2005 are still in effect.)

The rule as written has a broad scope, and at first seemed to pilots to extend to required regular flight reviews as well proficiency training given to non-citizen private pilots. After consultation with the pilot community, the TSA issued clarifications restricting the scope of the program: for example, in small airplanes, it only applies to pilots undergoing training for an initial certificate, a multi-engine rating, or an instrument rating.

Candidates log onto the AFSP Candidate website to submit their background information and flight training request(s). Once the application process is completed, the AFSP performs a security threat assessment to determine whether the Candidate poses a threat to aviation or national security.

The Alien Flight Student Program Process:

Candidates must create an AFSP account and log into the AFSP Candidate Website www.flightschoolcandidates.gov to submit their background information and required documentation. The Candidate then submits Category 1-3 flight training request(s), and/or selects Flight Training Provider(s) to submit Category 4 training request(s) on their behalf. Once a training request has been submitted and successfully paid, the Candidate will then receive an email with detailed instructions on how to complete the application process. Each step must be completed before a Candidate advances to the next step. Once these items are completed, the AFSP performs a security threat assessment to determine whether the Candidate poses a threat to aviation or national security.

Flight Training Providers log onto the AFSP website to enter flight training requests for Candidates who qualify for Category 4 processing. In addition, Providers may log onto the AFSP website to validate category 1-3 flight training requests, upload a photograph of a Candidate taken on the first day of flight training, and indicate whether a Candidate's training has been completed or not completed. Students must create their own AFSP accounts. Each Candidate may only create one account and may not share the account with other Candidates. Providers and employers may not submit a training request for Candidates in categories 1-3. Failure to follow these account procedures will result in delay of the training request.

What category do I qualify for?

Candidates seeking flight training are separated into one of four different categories. A brief explanation of the categories follows:

• Category 1 - Candidates who seek flight training in the operation of aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight (MTOW) greater than 12,500 pounds, but who do not fall into Category 2.

• Category 2 - Candidates who seek flight training in the operation of aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight (MTOW) greater than 12,500 pounds, and who:
• Are employed by a foreign air carrier that operates under 14 CFR part 1546;
• Have unescorted access authority to a secured area of an airport under U.S.C 44936(a)(1)(A)(ii),49 CFR 1542.229;
• Are a flight crew member who has successfully completed a criminal history records check in accordance with 49 CFR 1544.230; or
• Hold an airman's certificate that is recognized by the FAA or appropriate US military agency, with a type rating for a multi-engine aircraft that has a certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or more.

• Category 3 - Candidates who seek flight training in the operation of aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less for the following training events: 
• Initial airman's certificate, including a private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate.
  -- If a private and/or commercial license is the candidate's initial FAA license, it is considered an initial airman's certificate and is not exempt.
• Instrument Rating (IR)
• Multi-Engine Rating (MEL)

Each of these training events requires a separate training request. Clarification regarding Category 3 exemptions is covered in the next Frequently Asked Question.

• Category 4 - Candidates who seek recurrent training in the operation of aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight (MTOW) greater than 12,500 pounds, and are current and qualified on the aircraft for which they are requesting training. These training requests are submitted by the flight training providers -- Candidates need to "Select Providers for Recurrent Training" from the AFSP Candidate account.

If you have further questions regarding your category, please contact your Flight Training Provider.

How much does the Alien Flight Student Program Training Application Cost?

For a Category 1, Category 2, or Category 3 Training Request, the cost is US $130.00, paid through the Candidate's AFSP account.

For a Category 4 Training Request, the cost is US $70.00, paid through the Provider's AFSP account.

How long will it take to get an answer on my training request?

There are factors that affect the amount of time between training request submission and response, including:

• Response time of your Flight Training Provider
• Accuracy and completeness of your training request
• Nature of the request
• Category of the Candidate

In accordance with Section 612 of Vision 100 and the IFR, the AFSP conducts a threat assessment on Category 1 Candidates within 30 calendar days of receiving all of the required information, including fingerprints and the fee. The AFSP conducts a threat assessment on Category 2 Candidates within 5 business days of receiving all of the required information, including fingerprints and the fee.

Category 3 Candidates may commence training after receiving the "Permission to Initiate Training/Fingerprint Receipt" e-mail, which AFSP issues upon receiving all required information (including fingerprints and the fee).

In accordance with the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 (Appropriations Act of 2009), which amends 6 U.S.C. 469, Category 4 Candidates may commence training after receiving the "Permission to Initiate Training" e-mail, which AFSP issues upon completing the threat assessment.

You may wish to submit your training request as soon as your plans are decided, in order to avoid delays (but not more than 180 days prior to the proposed training start date).

What are some of the Common Errors When submitting a Training Request?

Please review the following common errors that can delay your application when submitting a training request.

1. Name does not match Passport EXACTLY.
• If the Passport has initials then enter the initials instead of full names in STEP 1.
• If you have initials on your Passport please enter in STEP 2 the Full Name.
• Place all surnames from the Passport in the Last Name block.
• Place all given names in the First/ Middle Name blocks.
2. If your name is different on another document from what is on your Passport.
• Add that name in STEP 2: Other Names
• When entering a name in STEP 2: Other Names, you must enter the entire name.
3. Citizenship may have more than one country.
• At least one citizenship must start with the Date of Birth.
• At least one citizenship must end with "Present".
4. Height and Weight are in the wrong scale.
• Use Inches or Centimeters.
• Use Pounds or Kilograms.
• Check to make sure you are using the correct scale.
5. The VISA numbers are written incorrectly.
• It is best to use the RED number in the lower right of the VISA.
• The Control Number is ALL numbers- some zeros have slashes, some do not.
• You may enter either number.
6. The dates are copied incorrectly.
• Please confirm all dates are correct.
7. The Airman's Certificate type rating is missing.
• Does not show on the document uploaded.
• The section that has the type rating was not uploaded.
8. The addresses are not the physical buildings where you lived.
• Do not use a Post Box number.
• Do not use the flight school or company address.
• Please include a room number for apartments or hotels.