How to convert a foreign pilot license at home.

Brunei's licensing rules follow the European Part-FCL structure. DCA converts commercial licenses from ICAO states, with or without an instrument rating, on application.

An Indonesian citizen converts a foreign license through an Indonesian flight school (ATO): a flight review there, an Indonesian Class 1 medical, an English test and a checkride. In our experience this takes about four weeks. A foreign license can also be validated for up to one year, extendable once (CASR Part 61).

A foreign CPL can be converted through a CAAM-registered flight school (ATO) in Malaysia. If you want to start your career in Malaysia, the usual way is to complete only the CPL abroad, then come home for the CPL conversion and an abridged course at a registered school that includes the CAAM multi-engine instrument rating (MEIR). You also sit the CAAM ATPL theory exams. Pilots with an ATPL and more than 1,500 hours can convert directly.

DCA Myanmar converts a foreign PPL with instrument rating, CPL, CPL with instrument rating or ATPL from an ICAO member state under section 2.4.2 of MCAR Part 2 (3rd Edition, 2018). You show your logbook, get a medical under Myanmar's rules and pass a knowledge test in air law, Myanmar's AIP and meteorology.

Filipino citizens convert a foreign license into a CAAP license; non-citizens get a validation instead. Under PCAR Part 2, CAAP converts a commercial or airline license only when you already hold a current CAAP validation certificate. So you first meet the validation rules: a skill test, knowledge checks and a CAAP medical.

CAAS converts foreign licenses in two steps: an eligibility assessment, then the license application. You need a letter showing future flying work with a Singapore operator, an approved training organization or a flying club.

CAAT both validates and converts foreign licenses. Conversion means CAAT theory exams and a skill test.

Vietnam replaced its aviation safety rules on 1 July 2026. Under the new rules, CAAV can recognize a foreign license or issue a Vietnamese license on that basis. The course on Vietnamese aviation law applies to foreign type-rated pilots who join a Vietnamese airline.

CAD sets individual conversion terms after assessing your experience. Holders of a professional license from an ICAO state are normally exempt from the General Flight Test, and some exams may be credited. CAD normally handles a professional license only when you have a genuine need to fly Hong Kong registered aircraft, which in practice means through a Hong Kong airline.

JCAB converts a license from an ICAO member state into a Japanese license. For a commercial license you sit one written exam on Japanese air law, in Japanese or English, and part of the practical test. You still have to meet Japan's own age and flight experience minimums.

If you hold a license from a foreign government, Korea exempts you from the written exams except aviation law. You still take the practical test.

Taiwan's rules have no special conversion route for citizens with a foreign license; the short route with only an air law exam is for foreigners employed in Taiwan. A Taiwanese citizen applies like any other commercial license applicant under the Regulations for Certification of Airmen, last amended on 3 November 2025, and flight hours flown abroad count. Confirm your case with the CAA before you enroll.

CAAB converts the foreign license of a Bangladeshi citizen into a Bangladesh license under Annexure 4 of ANO 1 (Personnel Licencing), Issue 2. You first get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from CAAB. Then you sit a short set of CAAB exams, the medical, an English test and the skill test in Bangladesh.

Indian citizens convert a foreign license under DGCA's CAR Section 7, Series G, Part I, based on Rule 41 of the Aircraft Rules 1937. For a commercial license you sit two DGCA papers, take a skill test with a DGCA-approved examiner in India, and get an Indian radiotelephony license and Class 1 medical. Your flying experience must meet India's own minimums.

CAAN issues a Nepalese license on the basis of a foreign license from an ICAO member state under its Personnel Licensing Requirements (PELR, 5th Edition). For a commercial license you need a foreign CPL with an instrument rating and at least 200 hours, CAAN's Basic CPL exam and its exam in Nepalese regulations, a CAAN Class 1 medical and a check ride observed by CAAN.

PCAA converts a foreign flight crew license only for Pakistani nationals, including non-resident Pakistanis, under its order ANO-005-LCXX (Version 4.1, in force since 16 February 2026). You sit two PCAA written conversion papers, a skill test in the aircraft or a simulator, an English test and a PCAA medical, and you need a security clearance.

CAASL converts a foreign license from an ICAO member state into a Sri Lankan license under its Implementing Standard 008. For a commercial license with instrument rating you sit CAASL's conversion exams, where Air Law is always required, pass a skill test with a CAASL examiner and a radiotelephony test in English, and get a CAASL Class 1 medical and a security clearance.

CAA Oman converts a foreign commercial license with instrument rating into an Oman license. Omani citizens can apply without a job at an Omani operator. Conversion means a written air law exam, an Oman medical, an English check and a skill test.

QCAA validates and converts foreign licenses under QCAR 001 of 2016, Annex III (Part-VC). Conversion means QCAA theory exams, further training and a skill test, and the Qatar license then stands on its own. If you will fly commercially, an operator or a QCAA-approved training organization applies for you.

GACA issues a Saudi license on the basis of a foreign one under GACAR 61.55(h). A foreign license above private level counts in place of a certificate from a GACA-approved course, but you still sit GACA's knowledge exams and a test on the Saudi AIP. GACA's guidance for this route is written for Saudi nationals.

GCAA converts foreign licenses into UAE licenses under Appendix 12 of CAR-FCL, Issue 05, in force since 1 January 2026. You apply through a UAE operator or a GCAA-approved training organization. A new graduate without commercial flying experience sits the full GCAA theory exams for the license.