A Guide To Documentation and Formalities for Flight Training in the USA

If you’re heading to the USA for flight training, you’ve already made one of the best decisions for your career. The most tiresome part of the journey comes up next- Paperwork. However boring it may be, it is one of the most important tasks to ensure you maintain the legality of your stay in the United States.

You're about to juggle visa paperwork, TSA clearances, housing, banking, and adapting to a whole new environment. Here's everything you need to handle step by step before you can fully settle into training.

1. Visa and Initial Documentation

Form I-20 issued for Student visa holders pursuing flight training in the United States. This document is required to schedule your U.S. visa interview and must be kept for the duration of your training.

Before anything else, apply to your chosen US flight school. Once accepted, they’ll send you the Form I-20, which you’ll use to apply for a student visa, either M-1 (vocational) or F-1 (if the program includes academics).

To apply for the visa, you’ll need:

• A valid passport
• Your Form I-20
• An acceptance letter from the flight school ( Not always required but good to have on hand, just in case)
• Proof of funds (like bank statements or education loan documents)

Visa processing usually takes 6 to 8 weeks, so give yourself a comfortable margin and don’t wait until the last minute. The appointment dates are hard to come by sometimes so plan ahead.

Ensure that you have all the necessary documents when appearing for your Visa interview. Go through the official US Government website here to know everything about applying for a US Visa as well as the recommendations for the interview.

A sample U.S. visa showing key fields to verify: name, passport number, visa type, and expiration date. Student pilots must ensure all details on their M-1 visa are accurate before traveling.

2.Get Your FAA Class 1 Medical in India Before Flying to the US

Sample FAA First Class Medical Certificate, required for commercial pilot training in the United States and issued by an FAA-authorized Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

Before you even think about your first flight lesson, make sure your medical is in place. The FAA Class 1 medical certificate is mandatory if you're planning to pursue a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in the US but you don’t necessarily have to wait until you get there. The FAA has approved a handful of designated Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) in India who are authorized to issue Class 1 certificates.

Getting this done before you leave saves you time and headaches. In the US, FAA medical appointments can be hard to get and may cost much more. Worse, if there’s any issue with your medical eligibility, you’d rather find that out while you're still at home, not after you’ve already invested in visa fees, flights, and school deposits. Most flight schools won’t let you solo or even begin formal training without it, so getting your Class 1 in India just makes sense.

Just double-check that the AME is FAA-authorized, not just DGCA, and ensure your details are correctly entered into the FAA’s medical records system.

You can go to this website and select AME-> Country: India-> First class AME and a list with all the FAA-approved Medical Examiners will open. You can contact any one of them, based on your convenience and get your FAA Class 1 Medical.

3. Open a Bank Account in the US

Comparison of student-friendly bank accounts in the US: fees, benefits, and features offered by major banks like Bank of America, HSBC, TD Bank, Santander, Wells Fargo, Chase, and more, tailored for international students. Source: Compareremit.com

Once you arrive in the country, the first task ony our list should be to open a bank account, after getting a mobile number. You can get a physical SIM or use servcies like Mint Mobile to get discounts on new numbers and get an e-SIM. You will require a mobile number to open a bank account and it's better if that number is US-based instead of your indian number with international roaming.

You must also carry a forex-based prepaid card from any reputed bank in India for your initial expenses till you have a bank account set up and for emergencies.

Having a US-based bank account is essential. You’ll need it to manage everyday expenses, pay for supplies, and receive wire transfers from home.

To open an account, carry:

• Your passport with a valid US visa
• The I-20 form
• Proof of a US address (like a lease, utility bill, or official letter)
• Proof of enrollment, such as a student ID or acceptance letter
• Sometimes a second ID, like a driver’s license
• An initial deposit, which can range from $25 to $200 depending on the bank

Banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and HSBC offer student-friendly checking accounts with no monthly fees and easy online access. Opening the account usually takes a day, provided you have everything ready.

Chase and BofA also offer attractive deals like cahsbacks of $100 or 200$ on transactions of 1000$ so keep an eye out for those. As a student in a foreign country, it's a good idea to look for deals because every penny matters, especially in a field as financially draining as aviation.

4. Complete TSA Security Clearance (AFSP)

The official TSA FTSP portal where international students must apply for security clearance before beginning flight training in the US.

All non-US citizens must be cleared by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) under the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) before beginning training in powered aircraft. Your school admininistrator and student representative will help you with this process but it's a good idea to know about the behind-the-scenes so you can ensure everything goes according to the rules.

Here’s how the process works:

• Step 1: Create an account at fts.tsa.dhs.gov
• Step 2: Upload your personal details, passport, visa, Form I-20, course info, and a recent passport-style photo
• Step 3: Wait for your flight school to confirm your enrollment on the portal
• Step 4: Pay the non-refundable application fee of $130
• Step 5: Once you receive “Preliminary Approval”, schedule your fingerprinting appointment using the instructions TSA sends via email

You'll need to bring your passport, visa, and the fingerprint instructions email to the appointment. Fingerprinting can be done either in the US or at authorized international centers but must be supervised by TSA-approved personnel. However, from personal experience, I would recommend doing it in the US itself as it's faster and a little less complicated that way. Your school might have the provisions for the same at the location itself or you can schedule an appointment nearby as well.

Important: If you don’t have a permanent US address (like most students), you’ll be required to assign a US Agent for Service. This agent acts as your official US-based point of contact for FAA correspondence. Many schools will serve as your agent on your behalf. You’ll need to provide their name, address, and contact number on this site. Check out our article on USAS if you want clarity on this issue.

The TSA background check typically takes 4 to 6 weeks after fingerprinting. Once approved, both you and your school will receive a notification, and only then are you officially cleared to begin flight training. Once this TSA Approval comes through, it is valid for 5 years (This is a new rule and has been implemented recently, as of 18th July 2025).

Meanwhile, as someone who has been there, make use of the waiting period as much as you can. Familiarize yourself with the school, make friends, ask the Head of Training if you can backseat a student going on dual instruction flights so you get a chance to see how things work before you begin.

You can also start preparing for your PPL (Private Pilot's License) written through apps like ASA or an online ground school. Your school might also offer ground classes so you can focus on those and get it done to be able to breeze through your training without worrying about it.

Caution: Backseating a student is a great way to stay connected with flying while you wait for your TSA clearance, but don’t treat it as your main source of learning. Remember, the student you’re observing is still in training and may be making mistakes. If you start absorbing their habits or memorizing procedures based on what they do, you risk locking in the wrong techniques. Use the opportunity to enjoy the flight, observe broadly, take in the views but hold off on internalizing checklists or flows until you’re being trained properly and under supervision.

Important: Your school will also help you create an IACRA account (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application), which is used by the FAA to manage your pilot certification process. It’s a one-time setup, and your flight school will walk you through the login and registration when you arrive. Make sure to keep your FTN ( FAA Tracking Number) safe as you will require it at every major milestone of your training.

4. Settle Your Living Arrangements

Typical 3.5 BHK house in Florida; spacious, suburban-style living often chosen by student pilots for shared rental near flight schools. Source: Homes.com

Unless your school provides student housing (which many don’t), you’ll need to find accommodation nearby. Consider moving in with a batchmate so you can divide the rent and other living costs, the biggest expenses in the USA other than the training itself.

You have a few options:

• Housing provided or recommended by the school
• Off-campus rentals like apartments or shared rooms
• Short-term stays while you find something long-term

Before signing any lease:

• Inspect the property: check locks, kitchen appliances, lighting, and ventilation
• Understand the contract: including rent, deposit, notice period, and rules about roommates or visitors
• Ask what’s included: some places include utilities and Wi-Fi, others don’t

Finding and setting up your housing can take a week or more, depending on availability and how close you want to be to your school. Once you're in, take care of basics like furnishing, setting up internet, and introducing yourself to neighbors or fellow students. If your city has good public transportation, make sure you are comfortable enough to use it in case you have to rush the school for a last-minute flight or ground class.

On the other hand, you have the option of buying your own vehicle, an electric scooter or a second-hand car (sedans and minivans are the most popular among students) but keep inmind, you will have to think about selling them off before you leave the USA for India and that is a mammoth task. You can consider renting from companies like Hertz but they are short-term rentals only so it depends on what you are comfortable with.

A second-hand car will set you back anywhere from $8000 to $20000, subject to vehicle condition and Make/Model.

5. Handle These Final Must-Dos

To make your transition smooth:

• Attend your school’s orientation session for international students.
• As mentioned before, get a US mobile number: prepaid SIMs are easy to find, and Mint Mobile or T-Mobile offer good rates.
• Make digital and physical copies of all key documents.
• Set a monthly budget for rent, food, transport and other miscellaneous expenses. Apps like Buddy are a good choice for the same.

Summary

To recap, here’s how long each major step usually takes:

• Visa and I-20: Expect around 4 to 8 weeks, so apply early.
• Medical: The assessment is given to you the same day but scheduling the appointment might take time so plan atleast 15 days ahead.
• Bank account setup: Takes a day, if all documents are ready,
• TSA approval (AFSP): Typically 4 to 6 weeks after application.
• Fingerprinting: Takes a day, but only possible after TSA’s “Preliminary Approval”.
• Finding housing: Plan for at least a week, depending on location and availability.

Final Tips Before You Fly

• Don’t delay your documentation, everything else hinges on it.
• Coordinate with your school’s international office for help with AFSP, housing, or general support.
• Ask questions, whether it’s about banking or what cookware to buy, other students are usually happy to help; they were in your position not long ago so never hesitate to reach out for help.

Once all of this is behind you, your focus shifts to what really matters: flying, growing, and making the most of your time in the USA.

Got questions about flight training, visas, or converting your license? Don’t waste time guessing, just drop us a message at @6pistonsmedia on LinkedIn, X, or Instagram. We’ve trained in the US, navigated the red tape, and lived the student pilot life firsthand. Let’s make your transition smoother, faster, and a whole lot easier.