A foreign pilot wishing to fly Canadian registered aircraft for remuneration or reward in Canada must be in possession of a valid Canadian Commercial Pilot Licence or Airline Transport Pilot Licence.

A foreign pilot must meet the medical fitness, knowledge, experience and skill requirements as stated in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

Transport Canada will grant credits to foreign pilot licence holders providing the foreign licence is medically valid, and originates from a country that is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Provided that the foreign applicant meets the applicable experience requirements, the holder of a Commercial or higher type pilot licence in the aeroplane category, issued by a Contracting State of ICAO, shall be deemed to have met the ground school instruction requirement.

Transport Canada does not grant any credits to holders of foreign military licenses, however an applicants military flight experience will be recognized and considered on an individual basis. It would be advantageous for foreign applicants to convert their military licence to a civilian licence, of their home country before making application for a Canadian pilot licence.

A foreign pilot licence holder should be able to provide Transport Canada with a log book for review and an assessment of the applicants flight experience

Outlined are the requirements necessary for a foreign pilot to obtain a Canadian Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane Category (CPL-A) with a Multi-Engine Instrument Rating.

To obtain a Canadian CPL-A, the following requirements must be met:

(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VII, Section 421.30).

1.  Complete the medical examination requirements in accordance with the Medical Standards for Civil Aviation Personnel Licensing and be in possession of a Category 1 Medical Certificate.

A medical examination may be conducted by an Aviation Medical Examiner designated by a Contracting State of the International Civil Aviation Organization. The appropriate medical form may be supplied upon request.

2.  Proof that the experience requirement is met.

(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VII, Section 421.30, Para (4)).

An applicant should be able to provide Transport Canada with a log book of their flight experience for review.

3.  Meet the knowledge requirements by successfully completing the following written examination: CPAER

(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VII, Section 421.30, Para (3)).

4.  Meet the skill requirement by successfully completing a practical Flight Test.

(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VII, Section 421.30, Para (5)).

5.  Complete the standard administrative requirements such as submitting proof of foreign citizenship and age, provide the foreign licence and log book for evaluation, submit a licence application form and pay the appropriate fee.

To obtain a Canadian Multi-Engine Rating, the following requirement must be met:

An applicant wishing to obtain a Multi-Engine Rating, to be endorsed on the CPL-A, must meet the requirements set out in the CARs (CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division X, Section 421.38, Section (3)). If you have 50 hours Pilot-in-Command on multi-engine aeroplanes or have met the standard of the State that issued the rating, in the preceding 12 months (based upon date of application), then Transport Canada may issue your Canadian Multi-Engine Rating based upon your current Multi-Engine Rating. However, if an applicant is unable to satisfy these requirements, they must demonstrate their skill through the successful completion of a practical flight test.

To obtain a Canadian Instrument Rating, the following requirement must be met:

An applicant wishing to obtain an Instrument Rating, to be endorsed on the CPL-A, must meet the knowledge and skill requirements set out in the CARs by successfully completing the written examination (INRAT), and successfully completing a flight test. (CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division XIV, Section 421.46).

To obtain a Canadian (ATPL-A), the following requirements must be met:

(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VIII, Section 421.34).

1.  Complete the medical examination requirements in accordance with the Medical Standards for Civil Aviation Personnel Licensing and be in possession of a Category 1 Medical Certificate.

2.  Proof that the experience requirement is met.

(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VIII, Section 421.34, Para (4)).

An applicant should be able to provide Transport Canada with a log book of their flight experience for review.

3.  Meet the knowledge requirements by successfully completing the following written examinations: SAMRA, SARON and INRAT.

(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VIII, Section 421.34, Para (3)).

4.  Meet the skill requirement by successfully completing a Flight Test.

(CARs - Part IV, Subpart 1, Division VIII, Section 421.34, Para (5)).

An applicant for an ATPL-A shall successfully complete a flight test in a multi-engine aeroplane (excluding centre-line thrust) which is suitably equipped for IFR flight in controlled airspace.

5.  Complete the standard administrative requirements such as submitting proof of foreign citizenship and age, provide the foreign licence and log book for evaluation, submit a licence application form and pay the appropriate fee.

Recreational Flying in Canada: Foreign Licence Validation Certificate (FLVC)

A foreign pilot licence of a visitor whose residence is outside Canada may be validated for private recreational purposes. The foreign pilot licence must be valid under the law of the issuing state and valid for the privileges appropriate to the specific purpose.

An applicant may apply for a Foreign licence Validation Certificate (FLVC) before arriving in Canada. The FLVC will be issued for a period of one year at which time the applicant may choose to renew it, or apply for a permanent Canadian Pilot Licence.

The applicant may fax a copy of their pilot licence and their valid Medical Certificate to one of Transport Canada’s Regional offices.

Transport Canada Safety and Security, General Aviation, Personnel Licensing AARRB), Place de Ville, Tower C, 6th Floor, Area D, 330 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N8.

There is a licensing fee of $45 Cdn. applicable that may be paid by a certified cheque, money order or credit card number, (the cheque should be made payable to ("The Receiver General for Canada").

Flight Training in Canada: Limited Term Private Pilot Licence (LTPL or LTPL/MC)

As a result of the increasing numbers of pilots coming to Canada each year to train for and receive additional licence privileges, Transport Canada will now issue a Limited Term Pilot Licence and Medical Certificate (LTPL/MC) or Limited Term Pilot Licence (LTPL). The LTPL/MC is based on a valid foreign pilot licence and the medical document validating that licence. The LTPL is based on a valid foreign pilot licence.

As a result this will permit foreign pilot licence holders to fly Canadian registered aircraft internationally for private recreational purposes. The holder of this LTPL/MC or LTPL may act as pilot-in-command or co-pilot of any aircraft for the sole purpose of his or her own flight training or flight test. This document may also be endorsed with additional ratings

The following conditions are applicable for the issue of a LTPL/MC.

1. The foreign licence must have been issued by a Contracting State of ICAO and be valid under the law of the issuing state for the privileges appropriate to the specific purpose.
   
   
2. The foreign Medical Certificate must be valid in accordance with Canadian medical standards. (For example: In the case of a pilot who is under 40 years of age, a LTPL/MC shall not be issued if more than 24 months has lapsed since the date of the last medical exam. In the case of a pilot who is 40 years of age or older, no more than 12 months shall have lapsed since the last medical examination.)
   
   
3. The LTPL/MC validity period shall not exceed 90 days.
   
   
4. A LTPL/MC may only be issued to an applicant once in any 12 month period.
   
   
5. There will be a licensing fee of $40 Cdn. for this document.
   
   
6. There is no requirement for a written examination.
   
   
7. The LTPL/MC may be endorsed for additional privileges if the required conditions are met.

The following conditions are applicable for the issue of a LTPL.

1. The foreign licence must have been issued by a Contracting State of ICAO and be valid under the law of the issuing state for the privileges appropriate to the specific purpose.
   
   
2. A Canadian medical conducted by a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) and assessed fit in the appropriate category by a Transport Canada Medical Advisor may validate an LTPL.
   
   
3. The LTPL validity period shall not exceed 90 days.
   
   
4. A LTPL may only be issued to an applicant once in any 12 month period.
   
   
5. There will be a licensing fee of $40 Cdn. for this document.
   
   
6. There is no requirement for a written examination.
   
   
7. The LTPL may be endorsed for additional privileges if the required conditions are met.

The LTPL/MC and the LTPL is applicable to the following aircraft categories:

1. Glider,
2. Aeroplane,
3. Helicopter, and
4. Balloon.

Should further information be required please contact Transport Canada, General Aviation, Personnel Licensing at (613) 990-1058, Fax (613) 990-6215.

Related Links

For people wishing to visit or immigrate to Canada, contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada.