Pilot visas
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: UA Gold; US TIB; Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 248
Pilot visas
I sat next to a NetJets pilot on a recent commercial flight and we chatted about how he usually flies on a day's notice to anywhere within his jet's range (but mostly the Caribbean & Mexico).
I've been thinking about what he said and now wish I had asked him one more question: how he deals with visa issues. A day's notice is not usually sufficient to secure a business visa to most countries. So, how do international pilots do it? Do they just perpetually renew multi-entry business visas to every country they could possibly fly to? I'd imagine this is easier for scheduled service since you can do your schedule & staffing plans well in advance, but juggling border formalities must be a huge headache for chartered & fractional pilots.
Anyone have any insight into this?
I've been thinking about what he said and now wish I had asked him one more question: how he deals with visa issues. A day's notice is not usually sufficient to secure a business visa to most countries. So, how do international pilots do it? Do they just perpetually renew multi-entry business visas to every country they could possibly fly to? I'd imagine this is easier for scheduled service since you can do your schedule & staffing plans well in advance, but juggling border formalities must be a huge headache for chartered & fractional pilots.
Anyone have any insight into this?
#2




Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Used to be on ships looking for oil and gas; Uruguay, Malaysia, Turkey, Nigeria, Libya, Egypt, Norway, Scotland, India, Congo & Angola. Agreed to CC rules
Programs: AC Aeroplan, Porter VIPorter, AS MVP, AF/KLM Petroleum Club, BA Blue
Posts: 1,187
Many countries have different, generally more flexible, visa rules for working aircraft crews and maritime ship crews.
mpc1
on an Italian flagged research ship working in Turkish waters
mpc1
on an Italian flagged research ship working in Turkish waters
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I watched a number of flight crews walk into Panama on Saturday without anyone paying them a second glance. They just walked through the middle aisle of the lines and out the other side. I would guess that many other countries have similar rules for crew in transit.
#5


Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CGN
Programs: KL FlyingBlue Gold, AY+, MM FTL, TK*G
Posts: 351
Many pilots also have multiple passports. I have a friend who flies private charters/bizjets in a small company. She actually has three passports (one citizenship) since one or sometimes two are away for visa applications for a while.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,543
I was thinking that they would have to as they'll be using their passports all the time, no time out to get visas or even to renew.

