Key Points<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n- The FAA has published a new rule<\/a> that will require certificate holders abroad to nominate a physical US address for service.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- This is required from April 2 for any new<\/span> applications; and July 7 for anyone who already holds<\/span> FAA certificates, ratings or authorizations.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Anyone who ignores the new rule will be unable to exercise the privileges of their documents.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What\u2019s Changing?<\/h4>\n
115,000 (give or take) FAA certificate holders currently live outside of the US.<\/strong><\/p>\nBack in Oct 2024, the FAA issued a new rule<\/a> requiring anyone with no US physical address on file to nominate a US Agent For Service.<\/strong><\/p>\nThis agent will be responsible for receiving all documents from the FAA on the certificate holder\u2019s behalf \u2013 including legal and safety-critical stuff.<\/p>\n
It’s already been postponed once, but there are now two deadlines for individuals with a foreign address and no physical US one on file:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- April 2<\/span><\/strong> for new applications.<\/li>\n
- July 7<\/span><\/strong> for existing certificate holders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The FAA is having problems serving documents to the large number of FAA certificate holders living abroad.<\/p>\n
By using US-based agents, this process will be a lot faster and easier. Especially in the case of larger overseas-based flight departments.<\/p>\n
Who will this apply too?<\/h4>\n
Anyone with a foreign address (and no US address on file) who holds or applies for FAA certificates, ratings or authorizations under the following parts of 14 CFR <\/a>\u00a0– 47, 61, 63, 65, 67, 107.<\/p>\nWho can be a ‘US Agent For Service’?<\/h4>\n
It\u2019s not as complicated as it sounds.<\/p>\n
The new rule (CFR 14 3.302) says this can be any entity or adult<\/strong> (18yo+) with a<\/strong> US-based postal address.<\/strong><\/p>\nOne big gotcha though: this must be a physical address<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 PO boxes and mail drops are no-good.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s important you nominate someone you trust. They will be responsible for promptly forwarding you any FAA documents and must fully understand the importance of this task.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll also need to provide the FAA with their full name, phone number and a working email address.<\/p>\n
If there isn\u2019t already someone in the US you know and trust, it may be worth engaging a professional service to be your agent instead.<\/p>\n
What if I just ignore this rule?<\/h4>\n
Don’t! If a certificate holder fails to designate a US postal address or Agent of Service by the above dates, you will no longer be able to exercise the privileges of that document. You will effectively become<\/strong> unlicensed<\/strong>.<\/p>\nAnother big scary rule \u2013 the FAA Enforcement and Compliance Order 2150.3<\/a> – says other enforcement actions can be taken including fines and jail time.<\/p>\nHow will I designate my agent of service?<\/h4>\n
Via a new portal called the US Agent for Service System (USAS).<\/a><\/p>\n
What\u2019s Changing?<\/h4>\n
115,000 (give or take) FAA certificate holders currently live outside of the US.<\/strong><\/p>\n Back in Oct 2024, the FAA issued a new rule<\/a> requiring anyone with no US physical address on file to nominate a US Agent For Service.<\/strong><\/p>\n This agent will be responsible for receiving all documents from the FAA on the certificate holder\u2019s behalf \u2013 including legal and safety-critical stuff.<\/p>\n It’s already been postponed once, but there are now two deadlines for individuals with a foreign address and no physical US one on file:<\/strong><\/p>\n The FAA is having problems serving documents to the large number of FAA certificate holders living abroad.<\/p>\n By using US-based agents, this process will be a lot faster and easier. Especially in the case of larger overseas-based flight departments.<\/p>\n Anyone with a foreign address (and no US address on file) who holds or applies for FAA certificates, ratings or authorizations under the following parts of 14 CFR <\/a>\u00a0– 47, 61, 63, 65, 67, 107.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not as complicated as it sounds.<\/p>\n The new rule (CFR 14 3.302) says this can be any entity or adult<\/strong> (18yo+) with a<\/strong> US-based postal address.<\/strong><\/p>\n One big gotcha though: this must be a physical address<\/u><\/strong> \u2013 PO boxes and mail drops are no-good.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important you nominate someone you trust. They will be responsible for promptly forwarding you any FAA documents and must fully understand the importance of this task.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also need to provide the FAA with their full name, phone number and a working email address.<\/p>\n If there isn\u2019t already someone in the US you know and trust, it may be worth engaging a professional service to be your agent instead.<\/p>\n Don’t! If a certificate holder fails to designate a US postal address or Agent of Service by the above dates, you will no longer be able to exercise the privileges of that document. You will effectively become<\/strong> unlicensed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Another big scary rule \u2013 the FAA Enforcement and Compliance Order 2150.3<\/a> – says other enforcement actions can be taken including fines and jail time.<\/p>\n Via a new portal called the US Agent for Service System (USAS).<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Who will this apply too?<\/h4>\n
Who can be a ‘US Agent For Service’?<\/h4>\n
What if I just ignore this rule?<\/h4>\n
How will I designate my agent of service?<\/h4>\n
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