Training abroad to fly in India: USA vs Canada vs Australia vs NZ vs South Africa

Course, living and conversion together

Every figure moves with the exchange rate, and a fee paid in instalments moves with it all the way through. South Africa's is in rand, which has pushed its rupee cost up by a fifth or more in a year.

South Africa takes about 14 months when nothing slips, and since mid 2025 it has more often been 18 months or more. Conversion in India comes on top. New Zealand and Canada lose more days to weather, so expect at least a year and a half there.

All in, with living costs and conversion, before a type rating. Fees and living costs as of 2025 to 2026.

Converting the licence takes months

Start the Computer Number before you leave. Applications often come back over a photo, a name or a date of birth that doesn't match your documents, and every rejection restarts the wait.

Add a type rating and the route abroad comes to ₹70 lakh to ₹1.5 crore or more, against ₹80 lakh to ₹1.1 crore for the same route trained in India.

• The papers: Air Regulations, a composite paper on Air Navigation and Meteorology, and the Technical Specific paper for your aircraft type, all booked on Pariksha in India.
• The checks: A Class 1 medical, the RTR(A) radio licence, and a skill test with a DGCA examiner.
• The file: DGCA usually takes three to four months to process it once the papers are passed.