Q1171. What consular steps govern foreign commercial pilot and cabin crew licenses?

Answered by the NYC Visa & Translation legalization desk

Start with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), because document legalization and permission to perform aviation duties are separate processes. Ask CAAT which pilot credentials or cabin crew attestations it requires, whether direct verification from the issuing aviation authority is necessary, and whether certified copies or translations are acceptable. If consular legalization is requested, obtain the prescribed certification in the issuing jurisdiction, then follow the responsible Thai embassy or consulate’s authentication instructions. Confirm whether subsequent Thai MFA legalization is required for the intended submission. A common pitfall is treating a cabin crew training certificate as equivalent to a government-issued professional license; their verification routes can differ. Verify the required route with CAAT and the responsible Thai mission before filing.