Instructions for International Aviation Students

All Non-US Citizens are required to hold an M-1 Visa and obtain TSA (United States Transportation Security Administration) approval prior to commencing flight training in the U.S. The following provides a summary of the process:

NMC Application

If you're an International Student ( non-US citizen ) considering aviation training at NMC please first send an email to sursell@nmc.edu providing your name, address, telephone number, current aviation experience/qualifications and type of aviation training you require. Further details will then be forwarded via email including application forms.

M-1 Visa

Once NMC have obtained your application, our International Department will process your application and send you the required I-20 within 5-10 business days. After you receive the I-20 form from NMC, you should complete Sevis I-901 Form/payment ($200) via www.FMJfee.com and once this is complete you can then contact the U.S. Embassy in your country and schedule your Visa interview. Visa applications can take between 30 to 60 days but approval times can vary from country to country so you should double check processing times with the U.S. Embassy in your country to ensure you are starting the process well in advance of your intended travel date.

TSA Registration

United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must approve your application for flight training prior to this commencing flight training in the U.S. Each student should receive their I-20 from NMC before starting the following process:

1. Go to the link fts.tsa.dhs.gov, go to "Create New Student Account" top right ( highlighted in blue ). Complete the required information and send. Shortly after, you will receive an email with a user ID and Password.
2. Once you have your user ID and Password go back to the link fts.tsa.dhs.gov, type in user ID and Password and proceed with the AFSP online application process. Complete online training request forms and submit.
3. Once submitted the AFSP will then contact the Flight Training provider ( NMC ) for confirmation of the candidates details. Once the AFSP have confirmation from NMC they will email the candidate with confirmation that required information has been submitted and direct the student to pay the $130 USD processing fee.
4. Once the processing fee has been paid the application will be considered and the candidate and flight training provider will be notified of a preliminary decision on the training request. If favorable, the candidate will then receive confirmation details with instructions on how to submit fingerprints. The Candidate must then submit fingerprints at the approved location in your Country and once fingerprints are submitted an approval email will be sent to both candidate and training provider.

Please Note: Both M1 Visa and TSA confirmation approval must be obtained before any flight training commences so it is recommended that each student starts this process well in advance of intended start date.