Can a pilot move from one country to another?

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Puddleduck97@reddit

The right to live and work in a country is essential, and not easy to get unless you were lucky enough with your ancestry.

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Lots of American airline pilots live overseas. All the airline cares about is whether or not you get to work on time. Where you live and where your base is can make that a huge pain in the ass but people do it.

What you can't so easily do is work for foreign airlines. There are a few out there that will hire Americans off the street but the vast majority require you to have the right to work in their country (and airlines typically don't sponsor this), speak the local language as well as have that countries equivalent pilot ratings.

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ge0kon@reddit (OP)

Wow great start for me and a lot of information. Thanks!

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Necessary_Topic_1656@reddit

you’ll find that as you keep travelling back and forth, some countries might get establish a pattern of you returning repeatedly to reset your tourist stay and may deny you entry because they suspecting you’re trying to illegally stay in their country long term without having the right to reside in their country.

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noideawhatsupp@reddit

Just wanted to add: OP you can do EASA licences in the US, which is helpful if you want to work for a EU Operator in the long term. Sitting the ATPL Theory exams will not get easier the further you are along your career.. Obtaining Visas will get however a little easier once you have significant experience, as Operators will be much more willing to help you out.

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JumboTrijet@reddit

Many foreigners come to the USA to train. When it comes to training opportunities, flexibility and cost, there is not a better country in which to train than in the USA. When it comes to opportunities to build time and skills, there is not a better country. For career pilots, there are no better countries for QOL and pay.

I am not into nor a proponent of American exceptionalism. I have worked for 3 airlines, one of which was European. I have flown internationally on a routine basis since 2006 and have been in the biz since 1991.

The USA is the best place to be a pilot

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Sacharon123@reddit

But not if you want to be a safe human at the same time.

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Apprehensive_Cost937@reddit

Hey, does it get any safer than flying with people who feel compelled to bring a gun to work? :)

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AirSorvete@reddit

It depends on many a variable:

- Does the country in question accept pilots? Some countries have a skills based approach to employment. If there is no shortage of pilots, you're onto a promise to nothing;

- Language requirements. Brazil? How good is your Portuguese. Netherlands? Ik ben een boterham?;

- Will your target employer sponsor you? Iberia won't. They have plenty of EU pilots knocking about.

If I were you, I would just focus on keeping healthy for the medical and get flying! Learn, develop and enjoy.

Worry about moving abroad much later on down the line. You're in a good country for flying. Learn; go get a job and build some experience. Think about overseas later.

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UnderdoneSalad@reddit

combination of being an american AND a pilot? no way jose. You cant even move to another state, NAY, county. Best bet would be to start converting your parents basement into your own little apartment, else they'll send out The Man after you if you try to escape.

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No-Cookie6847@reddit

TF do you think citizenship is. Go ahead. Try moving abroad. I doubt you last 90 days.

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CrabMan_2@reddit

Who shit in your in your Cheerios this morning?

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unfortunatetourista@reddit

Calm down nerd

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Few_Bag_9822@reddit

This is something I used to consider and racked my brain over. I found there was no way to do it. Even working for an ACMI like Atlas still keeps you out of the 51% residency rule in place by many countries and piloting doesn’t count as remote work so those visas would be a moot point anyway.

I find myself very fortunate to be at a time in my life where I can react to what happened with Spirit and what’s happening at the low hour CPLs/CFIs and not make a drastic career change or destroy years of progress. In fact, that was the straw that made the decision for me.

I start my masters degree in the fall because I have more connections in the field I’m doing the degree in. With a little luck, I’ll be able to build up some work experience in the forever junior base and pack up shop for pastures abroad.

It’s a difficult decision to make but I value global mobility more than flying. If I was going to pursue flying, I probably wouldn’t leave the USA.

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retiredaaer@reddit

Get the job first.

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Wafer420@reddit

"figure out what I need to know".. Welp how about figuring out whether or not you're even eligible to move abroad. Visa??

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Apprehensive_Cost937@reddit

If you have experience, sometimes yes, and it depends heavily on where you want to move.

Visas for inexperienced pilots are pretty much inexistent anywhere in the world.

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BoseSounddock@reddit

If you want to move, then move. Then try to become a pilot where you live. You know English already so that’s a qualification you possess.

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

I'm an American and would like to pursue a career as an airline pilot but considering the state of the country I think I may move abroad at some point. I haven't even started pursuing my pilots license yet and I'm trying to figure out what I need to know.

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