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Yes — we train foreign students. Merlin Flight Training is registered with the TSA Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) portal, so we can accept your application and process your training request directly.
Training in a foreign country can feel overwhelming. There are government forms, visa questions, exams in a second language, and an ocean between you and your flight school. We understand. Hundreds of international pilots have earned their FAA certificates at schools just like ours, and we have built this page to make your path as clear as possible.
Our promise to you is simple: we will answer your questions in plain English, we will tell you honestly what your situation requires, and we will never ask you to spend money on travel or fees until we are confident you are cleared to train with us.
From your first email to your first flight lesson — here is the exact order things happen.
Send us a short message with your country of citizenship and the type of training you want (Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, etc.). We will reply within one business day in plain, simple English and tell you exactly what your situation requires.
We do this step first — before you pay any fees — so there are no surprises. Every country is a little different, and we want to make sure the path ahead of you is realistic.
Every non-US citizen who wants to train for a US pilot certificate must be approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) through the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP). You create your student account at flightschoolcandidates.gov.
Good news: Merlin Flight Training is already registered with the TSA AFSP portal as a provider. That means when you list us as your flight school, we can confirm your training request right away — you don't have to wait for us to register.
Inside your AFSP account you will upload your passport, a recent photo, and details about the training you are requesting. You pay the TSA processing fee directly to the TSA (not to us).
For most training at Merlin (small single-engine aircraft, under 12,500 lbs), you fall into "Category 3". Category 3 students typically do NOT need to travel to the US just to get fingerprinted — we will confirm the current rules with you in writing before you start.
TSA reviews your application. Category 3 approvals are often faster than Category 1 or 2. We recommend you do not book flights to the US until your TSA approval is in hand.
While you wait, you can start studying for the FAA written exam, get your FAA medical scheduled, and line up your housing. We will send you a reading list so the waiting time is not wasted.
Once TSA has cleared you, fly to the US, check in with us in person, bring your original passport and TSA approval letter, and we will begin training. Your first flight lesson can usually happen within a few days of arrival.
We will help you with ground school scheduling, aircraft rental, and checkride prep. Most international Private Pilot students finish in 2–4 months of focused training.
Gather digital copies of these items before you start your TSA AFSP application. If you are missing something, tell us — most things can be handled in parallel with your application.
Official TSA portal where you create your AFSP student account and submit your training request.
Open TSA PortalFind an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) once you arrive in the US to complete your medical certificate.
Find an AME