Intl Students
Alien Flight Student Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This page is intended to answer common questions regarding the Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) and this website. If you need additional help, click on the On-line Help Section, or send an email to afsp.help@dhs.gov. For additional help regarding flight training, contact the FAA.
- Who should participate in the AFSP?
- How does the AFSP work?
- How do I create a training request?
- What happens after I submit a training request?
- How long will it take to get an answer on my training request?
- Why was my training request denied?
- What can I do if my request was returned for insufficient information?
- How do I log in?
- What if I’m unable to log in?
- What should I do if I forgot my password?
- Can I change my password?
- Aliens Checklist
Who should participate in the AFSP?
Persons seeking flight training must submit a request if:
They are not citizens or nationals of the United States; they wish to receive flight training for any aircraft; and they wish to receive flight training from an FAA-regulated flight training provider that will lead to an FAA certification, type rating, or other FAA Âcovered distinction, regardless of whether training occurs in the U.S. or abroad.
Training requests may be submitted under one of four categories. Please see the AFSP login page for a definition of the categories. Do NOT use this form if you believe you qualify for Category 4 processing. Questions regarding eligibility for Category 4 processing should be addressed to your flight training provide.
NOTE: At this time, U.S. citizens, nationals, and certain aliens are not required to use the AFSP. If you have any questions regarding qualification for the AFSP, contact your flight training provider.
How does the AFSP work?
Step 1: Training requests may be submitted under one of four categories. Please see the AFSP login page for a definition of the categories. Flight training candidates in Categories 1 through 3 request an account to access the AFSP website by completing the account request form.
Step 2: A UserlD and password are emailed to the flight training candidate. This allows the candidate to access the AFSP website.
Step 3: The candidate completes online training request forms requesting the following types of information:
A. Residence and citizenship;
B. Places and terms of employment;
C. Details of the requested training; and
D. Other background information.
Step 4: Upon submission of the completed training request forms, the AFSP confirms the validity of the training request with the flight training provider identified by the candidate.
NOTE: IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE CANDIDATE CONTACT THE FLIGHT TRAINING PROVIDER TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRAINING PRIOR TO SUBMISSION OF THE COMPLETED TRAINING REQUEST FORM. DELAYS IN APPROVAL WILL OCCUR IF THE FLIGHT TRAINING PROVIDER IS NOT AWARE OF THE CANDIDATE’S PLANS.
Step 5: Upon acknowledgement of the candidate’s request for flight training by the flight training provider, the candidate will be notified by AFSP and directed to pay the $130 USD processing fee. After payment, AFSP reviews the request in accordance with Section 612 of Vision 100 - Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act.
Step 6: If the flight training request meets the criteria set forth in Section 612 of Vision 100 - Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act, the candidate and flight training provider will be notified of a preliminary decision on the training request. The flight training candidate must complete a training request for each course or instance of training he/she wishes to attend, even if the training is with the same flight training provider.
Step 7: If the preliminary decision is favorable, the candidate will be provided with instructions on how to submit fingerprints. Category 1 and Category 2 students must wait until a final review is completed by TSA and approval is granted before commencing training. An approval email will be sent to both candidate and training provider. Category 3 students may commence training after receiving an acknowledgement email that their fingerprints were received by TSA.
How do I create a training request?
There are two parts to a training request, the details of the training request and your identifying information. Both must be completed to successfully submit the training request.
The pages for the training request details are found under the “Request For Training” menu. It is a good idea to contact your intended flight training provider for detailed information on the timing and content of the course prior to completing your training request.
The pages for your personal information are found under the “Candidate Information” menu. In addition to the information submitted through the AFSP website, you will be required to submit a set of fingerprints if you have never received a Final Approval from TSA. An email from AFSP will provide details on submitting fingerprints.
You can create several training requests (to the same or different flight training providers or for different courses). You will be required to review your personal information for updates and accuracy before submitting new training requests.
What happens after I submit a training request?
Once you create a request, complete your biographic information, and submit the training request form for review, the following steps occur:
1. The training request will be forwarded to the flight training provider you identified to confirm your training plans. If confirmed by the flight training provider, you will be directed to pay a $130 USD processing fee through this website.
2. A background check will be conducted based on the information you submitted.
3. If insufficient or erroneous information is supplied or additional information is required, you will be asked to correct the information and re-submit the training request.
4. You and the flight training provider you identified will be notified bye-mail of any determination made as to the training request.
5. Assuming that your training request is not denied, you will be directed by AFSP to submit fingerprints in order to complete the identification requirements for the check. Fingerprints must be taken in the manner determined by the Transportation Security Administration. Once the fingerprints have been submitted, you will receive an email notification indicating that your fingerprints are received and the time limit that determines your eligibility for the training category you applied for will be activated.
6. Once TSA makes a final determination within the specified time limit, you will receive an email notification indicating the final decision. If the final decision is favorable, you may begin your training. If you do not get a notification of final decision within the specified time limit, you may begin training.
7. Your training may be terminated at any time, should it be determined that you present a risk to aviation or national security.
8. You must begin your training within 180 days of Final Approval. If you are unable to do so, you will have to submit a new application and fee, but will not have to resubmit fingerprints.
How long will it take to get an answer on my training request?
There are factors that affect the amount of time between training request submission and response, including:
Section 612 of Vision 100 - Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act gives the Transportation Security Administration 30 days to conduct its assessment of Category 1 training requests. TSA has 5 days to make similar determinations for Category 2 requests. Category 3 students may commence training after submitting fingerprints and receiving an acknowledgment email that their fingerprints were received by TSA. You may wish to submit your training request as soon as your plans are decided, in order to avoid delays (but not more than 6 months prior to the proposed training start date).
Why was my training request denied?
Your training request may have been denied for a variety of reasons, including:
What can I do if my training request was returned for insufficient information?
If your training request was returned for insufficient information, you will receive an email notification. You may return to this website, select the training request for which you received the email notification and review the information you provided for its accuracy and completeness. Make any changes needed and resubmit your training request. On a resubmission, the flight training provider does not need to validate your request again and you do not have to pay another $130 USD processing fee.
How do log in?
To access the AFSP website, you must have a valid UserlD and password. To receive a UserlD and password, click on create a new account now link on the login page. This will send you to a page where you can enter the appropriate information to create a new account. Once the account is created, you will receive an email with you UserlD and password.
What if I’m unable to log in?
Do you have an account on the AFSP website? Requesting an account through the create a new account now link will give you a valid UserlD and password.
Are you entering your UserlD and password exactly as they appear in your confirmation email? UserlD’s and passwords are case sensitive; you must enter them exactly as they appear in the confirmation email.
Has your account been disabled? After three incorrect password entries, your UserlD will be disabled for 24 hours. If you are still unable to log in after 24 hours, send an email to afsp.help@dhs.gov requesting that your account be re-activated.
What should I do if I forgot my password?
Click on the forgot your password link on the login page. This will take you to a page where you can request a new password to be emailed to you. This may take a few minutes. If you do not receive your password within a day I try the request again.
Can I change my password?
The first time you log in to the AFSP website, you will be asked to change the password that was assigned when your account was created. This action ensures that you are the only one with access to your password.
After this first log in, you can change your password at will. However, you will not be allowed to use a password that you have used before.
Passwords must contain between 8 and 16 characters in length and include at least 1 (one) numeric character. Example: base4ball. Once you change your password, you will need to log in to the AFSP website again using the new password.