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Foreign Citizens Are Taking Flight Lessons In The U.S. Without Being Checked By TSA

Myth Busters

Myth

Foreign citizens are taking flight lessons in the U.S. without being checked by TSA.

Truth

Each and every foreign national that applies for flight training at any FAA-certified school anywhere in the world is checked by TSA prior to beginning that training.

In 2004, TSA assumed responsibility for the Alien Flight Student Program from the FBI. This program requires FAA-regulated flight schools to notify TSA when a foreign national requests flight training, and requires the candidate to submit to TSA an application that includes identifying information and specific information about their desired training prior to beginning flight training.

To ensure compliance with these regulations, TSA has conducted more than 8,000 inspections at flight schools from coast to coast and works closely with our DHS sister agency Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to ensure only properly checked, legal aliens are attending these schools.

To read more about foreign citizen flight training or checking foreign air crews, check out our blog at www.tsa.gov/blog.