The following conversion process is for licence holders who want a Transport Canada licence and already hold a licence from another country.
If you have an FAA licence, click here.

This text was modified from the Transport Canada website. We’ve added some explanations, cost, and further information about the conversion procedures.

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, provided that the foreign licence is medically valid, and originates from a country that is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). If 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.

Private Pilot Licence
Commercial Pilot Licence
Multi
IFR
Instructor
ATPL

There are 2 options for converting the Private pilot licence:

• Foreign Licence Validation Certificate (FLVC)
• Private Pilot licence (PPL)

A foreign pilot licence of a visitor whose residence is outside Canada may be validated for flight training and  recreational purposes. The foreign pilot licence must be valid under the law of the issuing state and valid (with a current Canadian Aviation Medical) for the privileges appropriate to the specific purpose. An applicant should 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. Below is the process to apply for the FLVC:

1. Fill out this form
2. Include a copy of your licence , medical, passport, english test, and the form, and email it to plo-LPOpnr@tc.gc.ca
It takes up to 20 days to process and then you can fly as pilot in command of a Canadian registered airplane.
Cost is $55

Candidates who want a long term Canadian Private Pilot licence are advised to convert to a full Canadian licence.
An applicant who is the holder of a Private Pilot Licence issued by another country shall be considered to have met the ground school, written examination, and the flight test provided that they can show a licence and logbook.

To convert:

• Obtained a Canadian Class III medical or higher. It is important to do this first as you cannot do the written or flight test until you have been issued the medical certificate.
• Candidate has obtained 90% in the written examination PSTAR. Use the online course to prepare.
• Completed 5 take-offs and 5 landings within the 6 months preceding the date of application
• Has at least 45 hours total flight time, 12 hours solo, 5 hours instrument time, 3 hours dual cross country, and 5 hours solo cross country.
• Completed a Aviation-Language Proficiency Test (Canadian or ICAO is acceptable)

Once the above has been completed, the candidate will be issued a licence which will state it is based on a foreign licence; to remove this statement from your licence, the Private Pilot written examination and flight test must be completed.

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

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. The medical cost is about $225, for a listing of doctors, go to: Transport Canada approved doctors

2. Proof that the experience requirement is met. 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 This exam cost $105 to write, study guides and books are about $150, ground school cost about $300, the best option is online ground school.

4. Meet the skill requirement by successfully completing a practical Flight Test. Flight test cost $400 plus the airplane rental. The amount of training or practice prior to the flight test depends on the pilot’s currency and ability.

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 (This is conducted at a Transport Canada office); licencing fee is $80.
Also fill out Aviation Document Booklet application and bring in a passport picture (original) for the Aviation Document Booklet. With a pilot who is current, proficient, and has prepared for the written prior to arrival, the above will take 1 week.

For people wishing to immigrate or work in Canada, contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada. We are not visa/permit experts.

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.

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. Flight test cost $450 + the airplane rental. The amount of training or practice prior to the flight test depends on the pilot’s currency and ability. Click here for aircraft rental rates. Licencing fee is $30. With a pilot who is current and proficient, the above will take 2-3 days.

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.

INRAT written exam cost $35 to write, to prepare we would suggest the best option is online ground school $250 . Flight test cost $450 + the airplane rental.

The amount of training or practice prior to the flight test depends on the pilot’s currency and ability. Click here for aircraft rental rates.
Licencing fee is $30. With a pilot who is current and proficient, the above will take about 1 week.

To convert, generally about half of the flight instructor course must be completed. Transport Canada will access your experience and training and advise you of the required process to convert.

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

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. Cost is about $225; for a listing of doctors go to: Transport Canada approved doctors

2. Proof that the experience requirement is met; go to Canadian Aviation Regulations requirements.

An applicant must 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. Exam cost $105 to write (total of $315),  Use the online ground school course to prepare for these exams.

4. Meet the skill requirement by successfully completing a Multi Engine Instrument Rating Flight Test.

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. Flight test cost $450 + the airplane rental. The amount of training or practice prior to the flight test depends on the pilot’s currency and ability. Click here for aircraft rental rates. A full flight simulator may be also used, but not a flight training device.

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. Licencing fee is $105 fee.
Also fill out Aviation Document Booklet application and bring in a passport picture (original) for the Aviation Document Booklet.
With a pilot who is current and proficient the above will take 1 week.

For people wishing to immigrate or work in Canada, contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada. We are not visa/permit experts.