Contract flying in the USA

[2022]

Dear Colleagues,

I am currently exploring opportunities to engage in contract work within the United States and would appreciate insights from anyone with relevant experience. Specifically, I am interested in understanding the process involved and whether a green card is necessary for a Canadian professional pursuing such work.

Thank you for your time and any guidance you can provide.

[VFS]

Dear Colleagues,

I am currently exploring opportunities to engage in contract work within the United States and would appreciate insights from anyone with relevant experience. Specifically, I am interested in understanding the process involved and whether a green card is necessary for a Canadian professional pursuing such work.

Thank you for your time and any guidance you can provide.

Dear Colleagues,

I am currently exploring opportunities to engage in contract work within the United States and would appreciate insights from anyone with relevant experience. Specifically, I am interested in understanding the process involved and whether a green card is necessary for a Canadian professional pursuing such work.

Thank you for your time and any guidance you can provide.

A green card is most definitely required to do contract flying in the States.

[Cap'n Tripps]

There are a few ways to do this. None of them are easy if you don't already have the right citizenship or background.

H1B visa. Employer sponsored.

E2 visa. Investor visa. Bring at least $100k USD of at risk money and a solid business plan that will involve hiring American workers.

Marry an American. Can take a awhile to get the results (green card, etc) you're looking for.

There may be other options depending on your specific situation and circumstances.

Be advised that pilots are not generally considered "professional" according to the USCIS, so a TN visa won't work. To be considered professional requires a degree in your field (equivalencies are supposed to count, but often don't).

Your best bet is to get in touch with a good US immigration lawyer, beware of shysters. Good ones will cost you a minimum of $20-40k for a full green card, or some sort of National Interest Waiver or Extraordinary Ability visa. If you happen to find an employer who is willing to sponsor you, it's going to cost them the same, with no guarantee of acceptance. Be advised that your visa will be dependent on your continued employment with that specific employer. Although theoretically possible to change employers, in practice you need to basically re-apply from the beginning, with no guarantee of success.

My only question to you right now is....why? I can tell you from personal experience that the grass is not greener over there.

Best of luck!

[2022]

I must agree with the sentiment that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. As I approach retirement, I’ve been exploring options to remain involved while maintaining the flexibility to set my own schedule and avoid working for a traditional company. At this stage, my ideas are still in the preliminary phase, but based on the information shared so far, it seems this particular avenue might not be viable.

Additionally, I must admit that broader developments and uncertainties south of the border have given me reason to proceed with caution as I consider my next steps.

I appreciate your insights and would welcome any further thoughts you may have.

Best regards,

[dumbbell daddy]

There are plenty of Canadian corporate pilots that contract in the US or on N reg airplanes. Including myself in the past. It's not really talked about much because its a bit of a grey area. The big stuff (G450/BD700/G7500 etc) pays anywhere from $1500-4000 USD a day, depending on how desperate they are. You will be paid as a contractor through your own (Canadian) Corp company of LLC (US). You need an FAA ATP with the type ratings on your FAA ATP and also you need to be current with a minimum 6158. The big US companies like Solarius or Jet Aviation will put you in their database and call you when a trip comes up. They don't care what your citizenship is. You just need to get yourself to the plane. Eventually you'll build connections and have your own book. Canadian companies like Avionco and ACASS don't pay nearly as much as the US companies. Typical Canadian discount. You will most likely be an augment or in the right seat but still get paid that high rate. For example, they could fly you out to Singapore (business class) and you would be the augment on the way back. Paid $1500-4000 evry day you're away from your home plus meals and, hotel and flights. I have a friend that contracts full time and he pulled in just shy of $400K USD last year. It takes a while to build connections and get to that level. You also have to make yourself available all the time. If you say no to trips, they stop calling. The work is not guaranteed. No benefits and there's no way you could do that much extra flying if you worked full time for an owner or a flight department. A lot of owners or flight departments generally don't like their pilots contracting because they want them available at the last minute and plus their paying for the expensive $$$$ recurrent. Global recurrent is around $75K USD. The initial G7500 is $175k USD. That's usually the biggest hurdle. No one is really going to self fund that to be a contractor with no guarantees of work. If you have a desirable type rating, you most likely have a full time job.

Anyways, hope this helps.

[2022]

Hi Dumbell,

Thanks for the info—it’s really got me rethinking my options. If I don’t need a green card, contracting might be more achievable than I initially believed. I’m not drawn to the big iron; my interest lies with the super midsize Cessnas. I even had a US contact who worked exclusively with that aircraft type and never seemed out of work, but I lost his details when I switched mobile phones.

I’ve registered with ACASS, and although I’m not familiar with Avianco, I plan to check them out. I already hold an FAA ATP and am in the process of getting the type rating added. One thing, though—when you mention I need a "minimum 6158," could you explain what that means? I’d appreciate any clarification.

Thanks again for your insights!

Best regards,