International Admissions · 14 Countries

Train in the Philippines. Fly anywhere.

English-medium, ICAO-aligned training built for international license conversion. Your CAFS license gives you an ICAO-based foundation to convert to your home regulator — CAAK (Korea), DGCA (India), JCAB (Japan), CAAV (Vietnam), FAA (USA), or EASA (Europe). Requirements vary by country. Below: the typical path, indicative timelines, and partner airlines.

See your country's path See visa journey
Why the Philippines

Four reasons international
pilot training works here.

Not marketing — the structural reasons that make the Philippines one of the top 5 global destinations for ICAO-aligned pilot training. Each directly affects your timeline, cost, and license portability.

01
English-medium training
All instruction, ground school, and ATC at MCIA conducted in ICAO-standard aviation English. Your ICAO 4 → 5 improves naturally over 18 months — a requirement for every major international airline.
02
ICAO full member since 1947
CAAP is a founding ICAO signatory — your CAFS license is trained to ICAO standards, giving it a recognized basis for conversion across ICAO member states, each through its own documented process. Clear paperwork, established pathways.
03
Year-round VFR weather
Cebu averages 310+ VFR-capable days per year vs. ~180 in Northern Europe or 200 in Canada. Fewer weather cancellations = shorter time to license = lower total cost.
04
Integrated, all-in-one invoicing
One transparent package covers flight, ground school, simulator, licenses, and instruction — no à-la-carte surprises. Residential housing + meals is an optional add-on. Full package detail lives in the Tuition Resource Library.
Voices · Real Cohort

Listen to a student
who already made the move.

Two cadets, two countries, one program. Each story is unscripted — the cadet, a phone, and 60 seconds in front of an aircraft they fly every week.

PNG · Cadet
Papua New Guinea
Latsu
CAFS cadet · training in Cebu
CN · Student
China
Chinese student
CAFS student · at MCIA
The 6-Country Matrix

Select your destination.
See your exact path home.

Every country has a different regulatory process to convert your CAFS license. Tap your country below to see the typical conversion steps, indicative timeline, and partner airlines. Conversion requirements — exams, flight tests, medical certification, and timelines — are set by each regulator and confirmed on application.

Select a country above to see the full conversion path — including steps, timeline, partner airlines, and how to book a virtual tour in your language.
★ Signed MOU · Skyway Airlines

Or skip the conversion entirely.
Stay and fly Philippine routes.

International Cadet graduates aren't required to convert their CAFS license back home — that's one path. The other: stay in the Philippines and join Skyway Airlines via our signed MOU, flying domestic and regional routes on a CAAP-issued license. Both pathways are open on graduation; international students choose at the end of the program based on family, visa, and career preferences. Admissions handles routing for either decision.

Eligibility: same as domestic Cadet — Frozen ATPL completion + Skyway intake calendar + ICAO Level 4+. The MOU does not exclude international graduates.
Your Journey to Cebu

From decision to
first flight — 8 steps.

We handle every documentation step. Your only job is to make the decision and show up. The average timeline from first inquiry to arrival at CAFS campus is 8–12 weeks. Here's each step, with who does what.

Step 01 · Decision Week 0 · Free
Virtual hangar tour + consultation
30-minute video call with the Head of Training. Tour is conducted in English with live AI translation to your language — Korean, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Hindi, Japanese, Indonesian, Arabic, Spanish. See the hangar, aircraft, classrooms, sim, and housing — live. Parents don't need English to join; your child will need ICAO Level 4 minimum to begin training (we help prep). No tuition questions required.
Step 02 · Application Week 1 · 15 minutes
Submit online application
Basic form: passport scan, transcripts, English level self-assessment, short essay on your motivation. We do not ask for bank statements at this stage — financial verification happens only after acceptance.
Step 03 · Assessment Weeks 2–3
Aptitude test + ICAO English + Head of Training interview
Online aptitude test (spatial reasoning, reaction time, working memory). ICAO English assessment — you need Level 4 minimum, 5 preferred. Interview with Head of Training via video, in your local language plus some English to assess readiness.
Step 04 · Acceptance + Entry Strategy Weeks 4–6
Acceptance letter + 9(a) tourist-visa entry
Aviation training in the Philippines is short-course (under 2 years) and runs on the 9(a) Tourist Visa — not a student visa. CAFS issues your acceptance letter; you enter on tourist status. Most CAFS markets (Korea, Japan, USA, Vietnam, Schengen) are visa-free for 30 days on arrival. Indian nationals need to either pre-apply for a 9(a) tourist visa at the PH embassy in Delhi/Mumbai, or hold a valid AJACSSUK visa (Australia/Japan/Canada/Schengen/Singapore/UK/USA) — the 14-day visa-on-arrival is non-extendible. The Special Study Permit (SSP) that legalizes your training is filed by CAFS after arrival (Step 06).
Step 05 · Medical + Background Check Weeks 6–10
CAAP Class 1 medical + NBI-equivalent clearance
Complete the CAAP Class 1 Medical Certificate at a CAAP-accredited Aviation Medical Examiner — most students do this on arrival at our Cebu partner clinic; pre-arrival is optional if your home country has a CAAP-recognized AME. NBI-equivalent police clearance from your home country (we guide the process per nationality). ICAO English Level 4 is assessed by CAAP later in training (Step 07) — no pre-arrival certificate required.
Step 06 · Arrival + SSP Filing Week 10–12 · Day 1–14 in PH
Airport pickup, orientation, school-filed SSP
CAFS staff meets you at Mactan-Cebu arrivals. Transfer to pre-vetted housing. 5-day orientation: campus tour, cohort meet, uniform and flight gear, local SIM, bank account, Kryvox portal login, first ground school class. You go flying by Day 10. In parallel, CAFS files your Special Study Permit (SSP) with the Bureau of Immigration via the BI e-services portal — processing 7–14 working days, typical all-in cost ~₱12,000–13,000 (school-managed).
Step 07 · ICAO English Level 4 (CAAP oral) Before license issuance
CAAP-administered oral assessment
Required to be issued any CAAP pilot license (PPL onward). Oral interview-style assessment scored on the ICAO 6-point scale across pronunciation, structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and interactions. Minimum passing = Level 4 (Operational); Level 4 is valid for 3 years, Level 5 for 6 years, Level 6 lifetime. CAFS schedules the assessment near the end of PPL training; failed candidates re-sit (no codified delay). Native English speakers typically test direct to Level 5/6 with no prep; non-native cohorts (Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese typical) get a 4–6 week structured prep at CAFS before the oral.
Step 08 · Stay Management Throughout training · school-coordinated
Tourist extensions + ACR I-Card
Your 9(a) tourist visa is extended in rolling 1-month or 2-month increments at the BI Cebu satellite office (no Manila trips required). ACR I-Card issued automatically once cumulative stay exceeds 59 days (USD 50 + ₱500). Maximum cumulative stay in PH on tourist class: 36 months for non-visa-required nationals (Korea, Japan, USA, Vietnam, Schengen), 24 months for visa-required nationals (Indians on pre-issued 9(a)). Both windows comfortably cover PPL, CPL, IR, and ME training; ATPL hour-build pushing past the cap requires a visa-class conversion or short exit/re-entry — CAFS coordinates either.
/ Pre-arrival Checklist · Country-by-country

Before you board:
60 days of preparation.

Every country handles entry slightly differently. Below is the universal 60-day timeline plus country-specific notes — visa-on-arrival rules, what to bring from home, and the cultural support waiting for each cohort. CAFS handles the SSP and tourist-visa extensions throughout your training; the rest is your prep window.

Every nationality · the same arrival rhythm

The 60-day window
from acceptance to wheels-up.

  1. Day −60 to −45
    Documents + acceptance letter
    Acceptance letter from CAFS. Gather passport (≥18 months remaining validity), high-school transcript (English-translated + apostilled if needed), home-country police/NBI clearance, 2× passport photos. Indian nationals start the 9(a) tourist-visa application at PH embassy in Delhi/Mumbai now — non-trivial lead time.
  2. Day −45 to −20
    Flights + housing + ICAO prep
    Book flights (one-way is fine — extensions are managed in PH). Confirm housing through CAFS partner-vetted listings (₱25K–45K/month including meals). Non-native English speakers: start ICAO English structured prep — CAFS provides a 4–6 week module if needed before the CAAP oral.
  3. Day −20 to −7
    Currency + final packing
    First 30–60 days of expenses converted to PHP (₱). Pack flight gear if you have it; CAFS issues uniform + headset on arrival. Cultural items (food, clothing) for the first weeks before you're settled.
  4. Day 0 — Arrival
    Mactan-Cebu pickup
    CAFS staff meets you at Mactan-Cebu International (RPVM) arrivals. Direct transfer to housing. Tourist visa stamped on entry — no separate paperwork required at the airport for most CAFS nationalities.
  5. Day 1–14
    School-managed: SSP + orientation
    CAFS files your Special Study Permit (SSP) with the BI online portal — processing 7–14 working days, all-in cost ~₱12,000–13,000 (rolled into your enrollment invoice). 5-day orientation: campus, cohort meet, uniform, SIM card, bank account, Kryvox login. You're flying by Day 10.
KR
South Korea
Up to 36 months total stay
9(a) Tourist · Visa-free
30-day visa-free entry on Korean passport. Extensions handled by CAFS at BI Cebu in 1–2 month increments throughout training.
  1. 01
    Documents
    Passport (18+ mo validity), 영문 졸업증명서 + apostille, 가족관계증명서 영문본, NBI-equivalent (Korean police 신원조회), 2× passport photos.
  2. 02
    ICAO English Level 4
    Most Korean cadets benefit from a 4–6 week structured prep before the CAAP oral. CAFS schedules near end of PPL training. Korean native speakers typically test to Level 4–5.
  3. 03
    Cultural support at CAFS
    Active Korean student community (typically 2–5 in any cohort). Korean restaurants in Mactan/Cebu IT Park 15 min away. Parent consultations available with live Korean AI translation.
IN
India Operational outlier
Up to 24 months total stay (visa-required class)
9(a) Tourist · Pre-apply required
Effective June 2025: India dropped from 30 days to 14 days visa-on-arrival, non-extendible. CAFS Indian applicants must either (a) hold a valid AJACSSUK visa (Australia / Japan / Canada / Schengen / Singapore / UK / USA), or (b) pre-apply for a 9(a) tourist visa at the PH embassy in Delhi or Mumbai before flying. CAFS provides the embassy support letter.
  1. 01
    Documents
    Passport (18+ mo validity), 10+2 marksheet + apostille, Indian Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from passport office, 2× passport photos, AJACSSUK visa scan if applicable.
  2. 02
    ICAO English Level 4
    Most Indian cadets are English-medium-educated and pass the CAAP oral directly to Level 4 or 5 with little to no prep. Some opt for a 1–2 week refresher at CAFS.
  3. 03
    Cultural support at CAFS
    Vegetarian + Jain meal options in the cadet mess, Diwali / Holi celebrations on the calendar, growing Indian cohort (typically 3–6 students). Hindi parent consultations via AI live translation.
JP
Japan
Up to 36 months total stay
9(a) Tourist · Visa-free
30-day visa-free entry on Japanese passport. Extensions in 1–2 month increments at BI Cebu.
  1. 01
    Documents
    Passport (18+ mo validity), high-school transcript with English translation, koseki tohon (戸籍謄本) excerpt with English translation if needed, Japanese police clearance with English translation, 2× passport photos.
  2. 02
    ICAO English Level 4
    Japanese cadets typically benefit from the most structured prep (4–6 weeks aviation English module). The CAAP oral is interview-style — natural conversation rhythm matters more than vocabulary breadth. CAFS aviation-English prep covers ICAO standard phraseology + the assessment format.
  3. 03
    Cultural support at CAFS
    Smaller Japanese cohort (typically 1–2 students). Document translations + JCAB partner-school coordination managed by CAFS at no charge. Japanese parent consultations via AI translation.
VN
Vietnam
Up to 36 months total stay
9(a) Tourist · Visa-free
30-day visa-free entry on Vietnamese passport (ASEAN national). Extensions through BI Cebu.
  1. 01
    Documents
    Passport (18+ mo validity), Vietnamese high-school transcript with English translation, lý lịch tư pháp (judicial record) with English translation, 2× passport photos.
  2. 02
    ICAO English Level 4
    Vietnamese cadets typically need 4–6 week prep before the CAAP oral. CAAV (home regulator) accepts ICAO Level 4 directly under ASEAN mutual recognition for license conversion later.
  3. 03
    Cultural support at CAFS
    35+ Vietnamese alumni since 2018; current cohort usually 1–3 students. ASEAN regional familiarity (food, climate, regional travel) reduces adjustment friction. Vietnamese parent consultations via AI translation.
US
United States
Up to 36 months total stay
9(a) Tourist · Visa-free
30-day visa-free entry on US passport. Extensions in 1–2 month increments at BI Cebu.
  1. 01
    Documents
    Passport (18+ mo validity), high-school transcript or college diploma, FBI background check (apostilled), 2× passport photos. No translation step required.
  2. 02
    ICAO English Level 4
    Native English speakers typically test direct to Level 5 or 6 with no prep. Level 6 is lifetime; this is a one-time CAAP appointment.
  3. 03
    Cultural support at CAFS
    Smaller US cohort. CAFS license converts to FAA via the CAAP/FAA bilateral process — straightforward conversion path home if you choose. Some US cadets opt to fly Skyway via the MOU instead of converting.
EU
Europe (Schengen)
Up to 36 months total stay
9(a) Tourist · Visa-free
30-day visa-free entry on most Schengen passports (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Nordics). Extensions in 1–2 month increments.
  1. 01
    Documents
    Passport (18+ mo validity), Abitur / Baccalauréat / equivalent + apostille, country-specific police clearance (Führungszeugnis / casier judiciaire) with English translation, 2× passport photos.
  2. 02
    ICAO English Level 4
    European cadets typically already test at Level 5 or 6. Some Eastern European applicants opt for a 2-week refresher.
  3. 03
    Cultural support at CAFS
    Small European cohort (typically 1–3). EASA conversion path for Europe-resident graduates: CAFS license → CAAP-EASA bilateral → ATPL theory in EU after CAFS. Live translation in German, French, Spanish for parent consultations.

Source notes: visa rules confirmed against the Philippines Bureau of Immigration (immigration.gov.ph) and DFA visa-policy lists; SSP process per BI Special Study Permit advisory; ICAO Level 4 per CAAP AC 02-004 Personnel Licensing. Indian visa-on-arrival window changed effective 8 June 2025. CAFS coordinates SSP filing, tourist-visa extensions, and the CAAP ELP appointment for every cadet in writing — no third-party agent fees.

Living in Cebu

Your second home
for 18 months.

Beyond flying, what does life look like? CAFS has hosted international cadets for 25+ years — we've refined what works. Cohort-based community, language-matched housing, cultural programming, and a campus 3 km from Philippines' fourth-largest city.

CAFS campus at Mactan-Cebu — hangar with Beechcraft Baron and Cessna 172 fleet at sunset, ground crew completing pre-flight checks
CAFS hangar · Mactan-Cebu International Airport · 3 km from cadet housing
Cohort-based community
Your intake has 8–12 cadets from similar backgrounds. We deliberately cluster Korean cadets together, Chinese cadets together, etc. — not in the classroom, but in housing, meals, and social life. The first 60 days are the hardest; cohort friendships last beyond the program.
Vetted housing + meals
3 km from MCIA. 24/7 security. CAFS-inspected annually. Cadet mess hall offers Korean, Chinese, halal, and standard meal options. Shuttle 05:30–22:00 weekdays. Residential package (room + meals + shuttle) is an optional add-on — confirmed in your enrollment letter.
Cultural + weekend programming
Monthly cultural dinners (Korean BBQ, Chinese New Year, Vietnamese Tết, Ramadan iftar). Weekend excursions to Bohol (2 hrs), Oslob whale sharks, Moalboal diving. Optional Tagalog language classes. CAFS-organized airport shuttle for semester flights home.
310+ days/yr
VFR-capable flying weather at MCIA
3.5hrs
Direct flight Cebu ↔ Seoul (no connections)
14countries
International cohort nationalities on campus in the past 5 years
27°Cavg
Year-round temperature · no winter breaks
Two paths to begin

Start with a 30-minute call
in your language.

Every next step is free. Every consultation is in your native language. Every question you bring is worth asking — including the ones about cost, visa anxiety, and whether your English is good enough.

Book Virtual Tour (Your Language) or submit your application →
Virtual tours conducted by Head of Training in English. · Live AI translation to Korean · Mandarin · Vietnamese · Hindi · Japanese · Indonesian · Arabic · Spanish · 10am–6pm Philippine Time
Reminder: ICAO English Level 4 minimum is required for flight training (this is non-negotiable, it's an airline + ATC requirement). Our student English prep program is available if needed.