TSA Security Threat Assessment: What International Flight Students Must Do Before Training
Before international students can begin flight training in the United States, they must receive approval from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This approval is obtained through the Flight Training Security Program (FTSP), a legal requirement for covered flight training.
Understanding the FTSP international pilot requirements early can help prevent delays. Non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. nationals must complete the required TSA review and receive a Determination of Eligibility before beginning flight training.
Phoenix East Aviation (PEA) welcomes hundreds of international students each year and provides hands-on support as students navigate the flight training security program and other requirements for training in the United States.
What Is the TSA Flight Training Security Program?
The Flight Training Security Program is a federal TSA vetting process established after September 11, 2001. It assesses whether non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. nationals seeking flight training may pose a threat to aviation or national security. Flight training providers cannot begin covered training until TSA completes this review and issues a Determination of Eligibility.
Applicants complete the required security threat assessment through the FTSP portal. Formerly known as the TSA Alien Flight Student Program, the program was updated through a 2024 rule that shifted it from an event-based to a time-based approach, streamlining the approval process.
Applicants still need to provide complete, accurate information and follow TSA instructions carefully, as errors can delay approval and the start of flight training.
Who Must Complete the Security Threat Assessment?
The TSA security threat assessment pilot requirement applies to non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. nationals, including students with F-1 and M-1 visas and most green card holders. U.S. citizens are exempt from the flight training security program but must provide proof of citizenship.
A Determination of Eligibility is required before covered training, such as:
- Initial/Private Pilot Certification
- Instrument Rating
- Multi-Engine Rating
- Type Ratings
What the FTSP Process Looks Like
The FTSP process is straightforward, but each step must be completed carefully. Working with a flight school familiar with international student requirements can make it easier to prepare an accurate application and avoid preventable delays.
Applicants use the FTSP portal to complete the process:
- Create an FTSP portal account.
- Submit the security threat assessment application.
- Pay the $140 standard fee or $125 reduced fee.
- Complete fingerprinting with a TSA-accepted collector, such as IDEMIA or AirTera/NATACS.
- Wait for official fingerprint instructions. Fingerprints from embassies, consulates, and foreign police are not accepted.
- Receive a Determination of Eligibility.
- After receiving the Determination of Eligibility, select your flight training provider in the portal so the school can create training events.
At PEA, you do not have to manage any of this alone. Our Student Services Department assists incoming international students throughout the process, including help with the TSA application and scheduling your fingerprinting appointment. This added support helps keep your application accurate, your timeline on track, and the whole process as smooth as possible from your very first day.
How Long Does TSA Approval Take?
TSA recommends applying at least 30 days before the planned flight training start date. Processing times vary, so students should allow several weeks for the overall process.
Once TSA has received the required documents and fingerprint results, current processing benchmarks are:
- About 7 calendar days for non-expedited applications
- About 1 day for expedited applications
A major benefit of the current system is that a Determination of Eligibility can remain valid for up to five years and cover multiple training events. The previous system required separate applications by training category.
What Happens If Your Approval Is Delayed?
Flight schools must confirm that covered international students have received a Determination of Eligibility before flight training begins. Ground school, however, may continue while the FTSP review is underway.
If approval is delayed, flight training must wait. Common causes include:
- Submitting an incomplete application or including inaccurate information
- Failing to follow fingerprint instructions
- Questions arising about your immigration status or criminal history
- Outside factors, such as system-wide outages or government shutdowns
Students can reduce the risk of delays by applying early, entering information carefully, and following TSA fingerprint instructions exactly. Working with a flight school experienced in international admissions can provide additional support with documents, portal setup, and application review.
Start Your International Flight Training at Phoenix East Aviation
PEA serves students from more than 70 countries and provides hands-on admissions support for international flight students. Students navigating Flight Training Security Program requirements receive help assembling documents, setting up the FTSP portal account, and reviewing the application for completeness.
PEA is one of only four U.S. flight schools authorized for both F-1 and M-1 visas. The international admissions team can help students navigate TSA and visa requirements so they are prepared to begin training when the necessary approvals are in place.
Request more information about PEA’s international pilot training program, or apply now.
Sources
https://pea.com/admissions/international-students/
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/01/2024-08800/flight-training-security-program
https://na.idemia.com/security/fingerprinting/
