If you complete your Commercial Pilot Licence abroad and want to fly professionally in India, you will normally need to convert that foreign CPL into an Indian DGCA CPL. So many of you have asked about this. What is the best way? How much does it cost? How to go about it? What exactly do some of the requirements mean?
The process involves more than just submitting your foreign licence. You need to satisfy DGCA requirements relating to examinations, medical fitness, flying experience, recent flying, skill tests, radio licensing and documentation.
I went through the foreign licence conversion process myself. Some of the delays I experienced could have been avoided if I had understood the process properly before returning to India. Click here to read about my career progression.
This guide is therefore designed to answer two different questions:
1. What should you complete abroad before returning to India?
2. What do you need to complete in India to receive your DGCA CPL?
I will also explain the flying requirements, documents, exams and some of the mistakes that can make the conversion slower and more expensive. Here’s a guide on how to get a CPL.
Important: DGCA procedures and online systems change periodically. You should always verify the latest requirements on the official DGCA, eGCA and Pariksha portals before spending money or arranging flying.
Broadly, the conversion process involves:
- Valid foreign CPL issued by an ICAO Contracting State or Common Wealth Country
- DGCA computer number / Pariksha registration
- eGCA registration
- Valid DGCA and foreign medical class 1
- Required DGCA exams
- RTR and FRTOL
- Required total time and recent flying experience
- DGCA required skill tests in India
- Supporting flying records and certificates (from abroad and Indian flight schools)
- Online CPL conversion application through eGCA
The exact requirements depend on what privileges and ratings you are applying to have included on your Indian licence. Here’s how much it costs to become a pilot.
What Should You Do Before Going Abroad?
There are a few things you can and must do before you go. These few things ensure you save a lot of time and possibly some money after you are back to India for the conversion process.
Class 2 medical: This ensures that you have a file number generated at the DGCA. A file number is basically a unique identity number for everything related with you at DGCA. Here’s a list of DGCA approved doctors. If you have time, then you could also consider doing an Initial Class 1 medical.
Computer Number: register yourself on the PARIKSHA website and get a computer number. This is required to write exams. Be very careful while making the application, read every word multiple times as applications get rejected due to the smallest of things.
eGCA: Head to the eGCA website and register yourself. All your applications and records concerning DGCA will be held here.
If you are reading this during your training abroad, you can still enroll on eGCA get the computer number done. Most of the work is done online but ensure to have all the physical documentation ready before pressing that submit button. Click here to find the best flight school.
My personal opinion: do not try to attempt any DGCA exams before starting flight training abroad.
I know how this sounds, this goes against what everyone has told you, but hear me out!
DGCA exams take a few months to pass, especially when you have no experience in aviation. The longer you take, the more risk of losing out on a vacancy in the future. Jobs always come in cycles. Miss one opportunity and you don’t know when the next one will come.
This is a very theoretical approach, which is very common in India and maybe works in other professions. Aviation is really different. Flying is about developing a skill while having the ability to apply knowledge. You have zero flying experience but are expected to pass a CPL level exam.
For comparison: You are expected to pass 12th grade exams, without passing 10th grade while being in the 5th grade. It’s not going to be easy!
Most countries in the world will get you in the aircraft first and teach you a few basics and then point you towards a PPL level book. As flying experience grows, so will your knowledge and then subsequently exams are given. The exams become easier to pass and the practical aspects become clearer. I have trained many pilots during my time as an instructor so I can say this with some confidence.
When you come back to India you will have all the experience and knowledge that comes with holding a CPL, so clearing the DGCA exams is far easier and there will be only 2 exams to give. You will not need any extra classes, self study will suffice.
Also give a thought to who’s telling you that passing exams is a must before going abroad. Ground schools naturally focus on exams, while pilots often favour the route they personally took and do not have the perspective of the other side. I do. I’ve trained pilots who had cleared their exams before flying. If I were doing my complete training abroad again, I would start flying first!
Before Coming Back To India
Do not wait until you return to India to discover that DGCA wants proof that is difficult to get once you have left the school or country.
Before leaving, make sure you have:
- Every flying statement properly signed and stamped
- Cross country records clearly identifiable
- PIC and instrument totals cross checked with your logbook
- Copies of the FTO approval covering the period in which you trained
- Skill test and IR reports
- Accident/incident free and clearance documents where applicable
- Copies of the foreign licence and medical
- Contact details for the school or regulator in case DGCA seeks verification
- Certificates of all type specific exams
The flying itself is often not the difficult part of conversion. Proving that the flying satisfies DGCA’s requirements can become the difficult part if your paperwork is incomplete.
Fastest Way To Convert Your Foreign Licence
- The first thing you need to do is to get a computer number, resigter on eGCA and to get a Class 1 medical done. As I’ve stated above these are the most time consuming. If you already have these before going abroad then you will have to get a renewal of the Class 1 medical. (Medical has to be valid at the time of submission)
- Verification of 10th and 10+2 schooling certificates. Although you may have already submitted these to obtain your computer number, that was a different department of the DGCA, so once again original verifications will be required. This can be done before returning to India.
- EXAMS – Look for the closest exams dates. Apply as soon as the window opens. You will have to give an air navigation composite exam and air regulations.
- RTR – your foreign Radio Telephony licence can be converted directly in India. You can now apply through eGCA.
- FRTOL – Flight Radio Telephone Operator’s Licence can be applied on eGCA immediately after you receive an RTR.
- Flight School – enroll in a flight school in India as there will be some flying required, and I recommend booking slots early. Although the flying requirements can be completed within a week, getting slots can be challenging.
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- The flight school will also issue a Signal Reception Test with minimum 8 words per minute.
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All of these are not connected to each other and can be obtained simultaneously.
When I converted my own licence, the flight school I initially joined told me to complete one requirement at a time. Eight months later I still did not have everything needed. That experience is why I strongly recommend treating conversion as several parallel processes rather than one long sequence.
DGCA Requirements
Table 1: Total Flying Requirement
| Minimum Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Total Flight Time | 200 hrs |
| Total PIC Time | 100 hrs |
| PIC Cross Country Time | 50 hrs |
| Instrument Time | 40 hrs |
| 300 NM PIC Cross Country | One flight, with full-stop landings at two different aerodromes |
Table 2: Preceding 6 Month Requirement
| Minimum Requirement | Required in preceding 6 months |
|---|---|
| PIC Time | 15 hrs |
| Night PIC | 5 hrs, including at least 10 take-offs and 10 landings |
| Instrument Time | 5 hrs on aircraft |
Table 3: Skill Tests In India
| Skill Test | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Flying Test (GFT) | Day |
| General Flying Test (GFT) | Night |
| Cross Country Test | 250 NM by day |
| Cross Country Test | 120 NM by night |
| Instrument Rating Test | On aircraft/type for which IR is sought |
Important Notes
- DGCA only accepts PIC time only when you are :
1) Flying solo (no instructor, safety pilot, etc on board)
2) Undertaking a check ride/test flight/skill test (examiner on board)
- DGCA accepts a cross country only when flights are to a point beyond a radius of 100 NM from the aerodrome of departure.
- Not more than 50% of time required for instrument time can be done on a simulator. You must ensure that the simulator is approved by the relevant authority (FAA, CAA, DGCA, etc)
- Multi-engine time can include time spent on check rides/test flights.
- DGCA will require a separate statement for every specific requirement from the flight school abroad and flight school in India, appropriately signed and stamped.
- Buddy flying from the US is not be accepted by DGCA. No if’s and but’s.
- Get a certificate for technical specific exam for the type of aircraft you want on the Indian licence. This can be issued by the flight school or relevant authority abroad. This way you do not have to write the exam again in India.
- Get an english language proficiency certificate. In some countries like the US, the CPL will have english proficient written on the CPL. In such cases, DGCA will award you with a level 4 during the conversion.
- My advice: finish as much of the required flying and paperwork abroad as possible. Flying a few additional hours there is often cheaper and easier than after returning to India you find that one requirement or statement is missing.
Documents To Be Submitted
| Document / Certificate | Source / Notes |
|---|---|
| Foreign CPL | Issued by the foreign aviation authority |
| Foreign Class 1 Medical | Valid and current |
| Complete Passport Copy | Include relevant identity and travel pages |
| English Language Proficiency Certificate | Valid ELP certificate |
| Flight School Approval Certificate | Approval covering the period during which you trained |
| Skill Test / CPL Check Report | From the foreign training organisation / authority |
| Instrument Rating Test Report | Required for CPL + IR conversion |
| Technical Specific Examination Certificate | Issued by the foreign flight school or foreign aviation authority, or write the Technical Specific examination in India |
| Signal Reception Test Certificate | Minimum 8 words per minute; issued by an Indian flight school |
| 100 hour PIC Statement | Certified statement of PIC experience |
| PIC Cross Country Statement | Certified PIC cross country flying statement |
| 300 NM Cross Country Statement | Certified 300 NM PIC cross-country flight |
| Instrument Time Statement | Certified instrument time breakdown |
| 15 hour Recent PIC Statement | PIC flying completed within the preceding 6 months |
| Recent Night PIC Statement | 5 hours night PIC including required take offs and landings |
| Recent Instrument Statement | 5 hours instrument flying within the preceding 6 months |
| 120 NM Night Cross Country Test Report | Indian skill test forms |
| 250 NM Day Cross-Country Test Report | Indian skill test forms |
| General Flying Test Report – Day | Completed in India |
| General Flying Test Report – Night | Completed in India |
| Indian Instrument Rating Test Report | On the applicable aircraft/type |
| Accident / Incident Free Certificate | Normally covering the preceding 5 years |
| Clearance / Verification Certificate | From the competent foreign authority, where applicable |
| Police Verification | Issued in the previous 12 months |
| Logbook | Ensure logbook is signed by appropriate authority once every quarter |
| Any Additional Document Requested by DGCA/eGCA | Upload if specifically requested during scrutiny |
My advice: Do not wait until you return to India to organise these documents. Get every foreign flying statement, test report and school certificate signed and stamped before leaving your training country. Check that the totals on your logbook, licence and flying statements match exactly.
Some documents are uploaded online, while originals may still need to be produced or sent to DGCA where applicable. Always follow the current instructions shown in your eGCA application.
FAQs
Q. Can I convert a foreign CPL to an Indian DGCA CPL?
Yes. If your foreign licence is from an ICAO contracting country or common wealth country, and the training meets DGCA requirements, you can apply for conversion through eGCA after completing the applicable examinations, flying requirements, skill tests, medical and documentation.
Q. How many flying hours are required for CPL conversion?
For the practical CPL + Instrument Rating, plan for minimum 200 hours total time, 100 hours PIC, 50 hours PIC cross country and 40 hours instrument time, along with the applicable recency and skill test requirements.
Q. Do I need to complete DGCA exams before going abroad?
There is no need to but it can be done. Your choice. My personal preference is to begin flying first and complete the DGCA conversion exams after gaining practical experience, because the theory is much easier to understand when you can relate it to actual flying.
Q. Do I need an Indian Class 1 medical for conversion?
Yes. It has to be valid at the time of document submission.
Q. Can simulator time count towards instrument time?
A maximum of 50% of the required instrument time may be credited from an approved simulator, but the recent instrument requirement should be completed on aircraft.
Q. Should I complete the conversion flying abroad or in India?
Complete as much flying as possible abroad before returning. Flying and documentation are often easier and cheaper to arrange while you are still at your original training school.
Q. How long does foreign CPL conversion take?
There is no fixed timeline. Exams, medicals, RTR/FRTOL, school availability, skill tests, paperwork and DGCA scrutiny can all affect the duration. The fastest approach is to start independent requirements in parallel rather than waiting for one to finish before beginning the next.
Final Approach
Foreign CPL conversion is not particularly complicated once you understand exactly what DGCA expects. Most delays happen because students return to India with incomplete flying requirements, missing statements or documents that do not match their logbooks.
My strongest advice is simple: plan the Indian conversion before you finish your foreign training.
Complete as much flying as possible abroad, collect every required statement and certificate before leaving, and make sure your records match. Once back in India, begin the exams, medical, RTR/FRTOL and Indian flying requirements in parallel.
I went through this process myself and made mistakes that cost me time. The purpose of this guide is to help you avoid the same ones.
These are of course just my opinions based on my experiences and gained knowledge. Differences in opinion are welcome.
Looking for a pilot career? Visit the Contact Me page and book a consultation and plan your career with clarity.
Regarding Table 1 it says 50 hrs of cross country time . Is it 50 hrs PIC or 50 hrs in general (including with instructor, solo flights etc )
Fantastic write up by Capt. Abdut. I strongly agree with everything this article says. Especially the part where he elaborates on why students should prefer flying and exams in parallel. Attempting exams without any flying exp will not help. Lots of good information for people trying to zero in on a path to flying licence. Truly appreciated. Keep this effort going for future aspiring pilots. 👍 Thanks.
50 hours total cross country time (including with instructor, solo flights etc )
Brilliantly summed up.
About the DGCA exams, as an instructor for years in SA, I agree with Capt. Abdut. Yes it saves some time but it doesn’t help in the long run, knowledge gained in those ground schools is easily forgotten as you learn it from an exam perspective and have not applied it practically.
In very rare cases have I come across student pilots who remember what they learnt in the ground schools.
I’m glad I came across this blog, it’s a boon for pilot aspirants. Well articulated and a comprehensive guide for the whole process with the details which are not easily found on various guides on different social media platforms.
Thanks Capt. Abdut!
This blog is an excellent resource for aspiring aviators, offering essential guidance on becoming a refined and professional pilot. Abdut Sir provides valuable insights on training and expenses, and his approachable nature ensures he’s always available to clarify doubts, making the journey to becoming a pilot smoother.
You rocked this subject and have astounding insights.
I am in the USA doing pilot training as per FAA reg, here we do time building with a buddy still trying to find can DGCA approve these flown hours with a buddy. We log as Total Time but only one leg logged as cross country depends who landed.
Hi, as mentioned in the table, DGCA does not accept buddy flying hours in India towards CPL conversion. So I suggest you to do not log any buddy flying or you will face trouble during your conversion. Also with your cross countries, you have to be the sole operator of the aircraft with each leg being min 100 NM.
I’m going to convert my US FAA CPL as OCI card holder into DGCA soon.
*It’s not Expat neither called FATA*
In my case it’s just not a normal CPL conversion it’s completely different joyride with lots of reg to be considered from security clearance to conversion and amount of paperworks.
Your above post article helped a lot. Such a streamlined point to point details.
Thanks Capt. & Sir.
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