Licensing For Foreign Pilots

If you are a foreign pilot who wants to work as a pilot in Canada, you must hold a valid Canadian Commercial or Airline Transport License. The information included below is a summary based on regulations set by Transport Canada in CARs 421.

Transport Canada References:

• Standard 421 – Flight Crew Permits, Licences and Ratings – Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) (canada.ca)
• Licensing for foreign pilots (canada.ca)

Credit For Foreign Training and Skills

Transport Canada (TC) will grant credits to foreign licence holders if:

• You have a valid medical
• You hold an ICAO licence from an ICAO contracting state

Transport Canada will consider ground school instruction met if:

• You hold a CPL or higher type pilot licence in the aeroplane category, issued by a ICAO contracting state
• You meet the experience requirements

Airline Transport Pilot Licence – Aeroplane

To obtain a Canadian airline transport pilot licence – aeroplane (ATPL-A), foreign pilots must meet all requirements set out in CARs 421.34. The following information is a summary of the requirements only

• Obtain/hold a valid TC CAT1 aviation medical (certificate) – Medical fitness for aviation (canada.ca)
  • Aviation medical examiners designated by contracting states of the ICAO may do your medical exam. TC will supply you with the correct medical form upon request.
  • Submit proof of foreign citizenship and age (CARs 421.06 paragraph 1 & 2 for a list of approved documents
  • Provide your foreign licence and log book for evaluation
  • Submit your licence application form – Flight crew licences, permits and ratings (canada.ca)
  • Pay the appropriate licence fee. TC will not process your application until they receive this fee. Use the new TC Online Payment System – this is the fastest way to pay
  • You may also submit payment (cheque, Visa, Mastercard or American Express) to a Civil Aviation regional office, usually with your application form.

  Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane

  To obtain a Canadian commercial pilot licence – aeroplane category (CPL-A), foreign pilots must meet all requirements set out in the CARs Standard 421, section 421.30. The following information is a summary of the requirements only

  • Obtain/hold a valid TC CAT1 aviation medical (certificate) – Medical fitness for aviation (canada.ca
    • Aviation medical examiners designated by contracting states of the ICAO may do your medical exam. TC will supply you with the correct medical form upon request.
    • Submit proof of foreign citizenship and age (CARs 421.06 paragraph 1 & 2 for a list of approved documents
    • Provide your foreign licence and log book for evaluation
    • Submit your licence application form – Flight crew licences, permits and ratings (canada.ca)
    • Pay the appropriate licence fee. TC will not process your application until they receive this fee. Use the new TC Online Payment System – this is the fastest way to pay
    • You may also submit payment (cheque, Visa, Mastercard or American Express) to a Civil Aviation regional office, usually with your application form.

    Multi-Engine Rating

    To obtain a multi-engine rating endorsed on the CPL-A, you must meet the requirements set out in CARs Standard 421, section 421.38, para. (3)

    Transport Canada (TC) may issue you a multi-engine rating based upon your current rating if you fulfill one of the following:

    • You have 50 hours of experience as pilot-in-command on multi-engine aeroplanes during the 12 months preceding the date of application for the rating, or
    • You met the prescribed standards, of the State concerned, for issue of a multi-engine class rating during the 12 months preceding the date of application for the rating

    If you cannot meet these requirements, you must successfully complete a practical flight test

    Instrument Rating (Group 1)

    To obtain an instrument rating endorsed on the CPL-A, you must meet the knowledge and skill requirements set out in CARs Standard 421, section 421.46 by successfully completing:

    • The Instrument Rating (INRAT) written examination, and
    • A flight test

    Foreign Licence Validation Certificate (Recreational Pilots)

    Visitors to Canada may have a foreign pilot licence validated for private recreational purposes. The foreign pilot licence must be valid:

    • Under the law of the issuing state, and
    • For privileges appropriate to the reason you’re flying

    You may apply for a foreign licence validation certificate before arriving in Canada. The certificate will be issued for a period of one year. After a year you may renew it or apply for a permanent Canadian pilot licence.

    To learn more about the certificate, including how to apply, read Advisory Circular 400-003: Foreign Licence Validation Certificate.