**Executive Summary**
This document, Civil Aviation Requirements Series 'L' Part XVI, Issue I, dated August 1, 2007, outlines the requirements and procedures for validating foreign licenses of aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) in India. It allows Indian operators/maintenance organizations to employ foreign AMEs until Indian engineers are trained and acquire appropriate licenses. The document is effective forthwith and is issued under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. The document is scheduled for a revision in December 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose and Scope:**
* Specifies the requirements and procedures for validating foreign AME licenses in India.
* Allows Indian operators to employ foreign AMEs temporarily.
* Governed by Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
* **License and Experience Requirements:**
* Foreign AMEs must be appropriately licensed and rated by a competent authority of a contracting State in accordance with ICAO requirements, or hold a basic license and company approval acceptable to DGCA India.
* Licenses must be valid with current ratings for the aircraft to be maintained.
* Foreign AMEs must be contractually employed by the operator/maintenance organization.
* Minimum one year of maintenance working experience, with at least six months recent experience on the aircraft type.
* **Training and Competency:**
* Foreign AMEs must be conversant with the approved maintenance system of the Indian operator.
* The Quality Manager must provide necessary briefing and training and issue a certificate.
* The Compliance Monitoring Manager must ensure training on organizational structure, quality and engineering management systems, applicable regulations, and duties.
* For radio system approvals, foreign AMEs must be conversant with Indian air traffic control procedures, or be assisted by a person holding a valid RTR license.
* If required to certify major maintenance, documentary evidence of qualification and experience must be provided.
* Foreign AMEs must be proficient in English; otherwise, schedules and manuals must be available in a language they understand.
* **General Requirements:**
* Requests for validation are considered only when adequate Indian personnel are unavailable.
* The operator/maintenance organization must furnish details as per Appendix 'A' and pay requisite fees.
* They must also provide plans for training Indian AMEs and justification for employing foreign personnel.
* Security clearance is required, and the applicant must submit the online application through the e-sahaj portal.
* The AME must comply with all applicable Indian rules, regulations, and operator policies.
* Validation ceases upon termination of employment with the validating Indian operator.
* DGCA shall confirm the validity of the other Contracting State's licence before issuing the authorisation.
* The validation is subject to Aircraft Rules, 1937 and the terms of the issuing State.
* **Validation Validity:**
* The operator/holder is responsible for maintaining current passport and employment visa.
* The validation is valid only when carried with the validated license and does not exceed the license's validity.
* Initial validation is for a maximum of one year.
* Subsequent validation, after passing required DGCA examinations, may be renewed for one-two years at a time, subject to meeting initial validation requirements.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Operators/Maintenance Organisations**
* **Impact**
* They can employ foreign AMEs to maintain Indian-registered aircraft when qualified Indian personnel are unavailable.
* Must ensure foreign AMEs meet all license, experience, training, and competency requirements.
* They need to complete the validation process and furnish specified details, including training plans for Indian AMEs.
* **Action Required**
* Submit applications via the eGCA portal and pay the required fee.
* Ensure foreign AMEs have valid licenses, experience, and training.
* Provide security clearance details, as per Appendix 'B'.
* Develop a plan to train Indian AMEs and eventually phase out foreign personnel.
**Foreign Aircraft Maintenance Engineers**
* **Impact**
* Can work in India under a validated foreign license.
* Must meet the stipulated requirements for license validity, experience, and training.
* Need to be proficient in English and familiar with Indian regulations and operator policies.
* **Action Required**
* Ensure license and ratings are valid and meet ICAO standards.
* Undergo training as required by the Indian operator/maintenance organization.
* Provide necessary documentation, including license, medical certificate, and experience details.
**DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)**
* **Impact**
* Responsible for validating foreign AME licenses.
* Ensures compliance with the requirements and procedures outlined in the document.
* Has the authority to conduct examinations, inspections, and prescribe additional tests.
* **Action Required**
* Process applications for validation of foreign AME licenses.
* Verify the credentials and experience of foreign AMEs.
* Conduct oral examinations to assess competency and knowledge.
* Monitor the training of Indian AMEs by the operators.
Key Entities Referenced
Aircraft Rules, 1937: The central legislation governing aviation in India, referenced in the context of validating foreign AME licences. Rule 61A, Rule 62 and Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 are specifically mentioned.
Civil Aviation Requirements: Document outlining the requirements and procedures for validating foreign Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licenses in India.
Director General of Civil Aviation: The regulator responsible for validating foreign AME licenses and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations in India. DGCA India under AIC 02 of 2007.
Aeronautical Information Circular No. 02/2007: An Aeronautical Information Circular stipulated as the instruction for the the employment of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers holding foreign licenses.
Maintenance Organisation: Indian organizations permitted to employ and oversee foreign AMEs, and responsible for training Indian AMEs.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
OFFICE OF DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION
TECHNICAL CENTRE, OPP. SAFDARJANG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI
CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 2, AIRWORTHINESS
SERIES `L' PART XVI
ISSUE I, 1st August, 2007
EFFECTIVE: FORTHWITH
File No.: DGCA-25012(07)/26/2025-AW
SUBJECT: VALIDATION OF FOREIGN LICENCES OF AIRCRAFT
MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 An Indian air transport operator/ Maintenance Organisation can be
permitted to employ aircraft maintenance engineers holding foreign
licences, issued by a contracting State of ICAO, to operate and maintain
Indian registered aircraft, as stipulated in the Aeronautical Information
Circular No. 02/2007 dated 17 May, 2007, till Indian engineers are
trained and acquire appropriate Indian licence and ratings. A foreign AME
licence may be validated for a specific purpose and for a limited period of
time. Such permission can be given with the approval of the competent
authority and by validating the foreign licence under the provisions of
Rule 61A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, when the licence has been granted
by the duly competent authority of a foreign state and is for the time being in
force, subject to such conditions and limitations and for such periods as
considered necessary. The validation may confer on such licence, the
same validity for the purpose of maintenance of an aircraft registered in
India as if it has been granted under the Aircraft Rules, 1937. Rendering a
licence valid means, the action taken by a Contracting State, as an
alternative to issuing its own licence, in accepting a licence issued by any
other Contracting State as the equivalent of its own licence.
1.2 This Civil Aviation Requirements gives the requirements and the
procedure for validation of foreign licences, till Indian AMEs are trained
and acquire appropriate Indian licence and ratings and is issued under the
provisions of Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
This CAR is issued under the provisions of Rule 133A of the Aircraft
Rules, 1937 and provides detailed requirements for validation of foreign
AME licences, in case when foreign aircraft maintenance engineer licence
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SERIES L PART XVI 1st August, 2007
holders are contracted by the Indian operators/Maintenance Organisations
for limited period in order to maintain/certify aircrafts.
2. LICENCE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
2.1 The foreign aircraft maintenance engineer licence holders should have
been properly appropriately licenced and rated on the type of aircraft by
the competent authority of a contracting State in accordance with the
ICAO requirements. or a basic licence and company approval (under
FAR/EASA 145) on the type of aircraft issued by a competent authority,
acceptable to DGCA India.
2.2 The foreign aircraft maintenance engineer licence should be valid with
current ratings on the type of Indian registered aircraft proposed to be
maintained.
2.3 The foreign AME licence holders should be under the contractual
employment with the Operator/Maintenance Organisation.
2.4 The foreign AME licence holder engineer should have at least one year
working experience in maintenance after the endorsement of the aircraft
type on his AME licence/Company approval Authorisation, out of which at
least six months should be recent maintenance experience on the aircraft
type, in the preceding 12 months.
2.5 The engineer foreign AME licence holder should be well conversant with
the approved maintenance system of the Indian operator as given in the
operator's exposition/maintenance organisation exposition.
In this regard, the Quality Manager/ his designated representative should
provide necessary briefing and training to the foreign engineer and issue a
certificate stating that the engineer has been trained and is well
conversant with the approved maintenance system.
The Compliance Monitoring Manager of the Operator/Maintenance
Organisation should ensure that the foreign AME licence holder is trained
on the organisation structure, quality management system, engineering
management maintenance system, basic understanding of applicable
regulations and the duties and responsibilities assigned to him.
2.6 The engineer foreign AME licence holder seeking approval on radio
system, should additionally be well conversant with the Indian air traffic
control procedures for carrying out functional check of VHF and HF radio
systems. Otherwise a person holding valid RTR licence should assist him.
2.7 lf the engineer foreign AME licence holder is required to certify major
maintenance of aircraft, he should produce documentary evidence of his
qualification and experience covering the major maintenance of the type of
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SERIES L PART XVI 1st August, 2007
aircraft.
2.8 The foreign AME licence holder should be proficient to communicate in
English language. In case the engineer is not proficient with the English
language, the schedules should also be prepared in a language in which
he is proficient. Accordingly, the aircraft maintenance manual and other
relevant airworthiness data should also be available in that language.
2.9 The operator/ Maintenance Organisation should ensure that the incumbent
is on employment visa, and the passport and visa of the foreign AME
licence holder engineer is valid at all times during the period of approval.
2.10 The operator/Maintenance Organisation should ensure that the medical
examination of the AME has been carried out and is valid during the
period of working in India.
2.11 The operator/ Maintenance Organisation should ensure that the necessary
security clearance for the foreign engineer has been duly obtained before
seeking approval.
2.12 The foreign AME licence holder is required to pass the oral examination
conducted by DGCA India under AIC 02 of 2007 before the licence can be
validated to ensure that he is fully conversant with the maintenance
procedures, Minimum Equipment List (MEL), aircraft cockpit layout, type
of equipment installed and the other policies of the operator. The original
documents like licence, medical certificate of fitness, log books etc. would
be examined during the oral examination and returned immediately. On
the basis of the examination, DGCA may prescribe familiarization check or
any other test, which the AME will have to undergo, before certifying the
aircraft.
2.13 The AME shall have to pass the written paper on Rules and Regulation of
the DGCA AME Licence examination for the applicable licences, if
validation of his licence is required for more than one year.
3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
3.1 The request for validation of foreign licence of aircraft maintenance
engineer would be considered only from Indian operators/ Maintenance
Organisation when adequate number of such qualified personnel are not
available in the country. For this purpose, the operator/maintenance
Organisation shall furnish necessary details as per Appendix `A' in
duplicate for obtaining the validation through eGCA portal for validation of
foreign licence of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer along with relevant
supporting documents and the requisite fee as per Rule 62 of the Aircraft
Rules, 1937. The operator/ Maintenance Organisation shall furnish his
plans of training the Indian AMEs and due justification for employing the
foreign personnel. The operator/ Maintenance Organisation shall also
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SERIES L PART XVI 1st August, 2007
indicate clearly his plan of phasing out the foreign AMEs.
3.2 The applicant shall submit the online application for the security clearance
through e-sahaj portal (http://esahaj.gov.in) Security clearance of the
foreign flight crew/AME is required to be obtained before validation of
his/her licence. For this purpose, the operator shall furnish necessary
details, as per Appendix 'B', for obtaining the security clearance. Five
copies of the form duly filled in for each AME are required to be submitted
to DGCA.
3.3 In accordance with instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs issued
vide OM No.25022/61/86-F.1 dated 26th May, 1986, security clearance
is not required in the following cases:
a) Foreign technicians and experts coming to India for a period less than
three months, in pursuance of a collaboration agreement between
foreign and Indian firms, provided the agreement has been
approved by Government of India.
b) Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan.
c) Officials and employees of UN and its specialized agencies.
3.4 The AME maintaining Indian registered aircraft on the basis of validation
of their his/her foreign licence, shall comply with all the applicable Indian
rules, regulations, procedures and directions issued from time to time,
maintenance procedures, MEL, etc. and other policies of the operator.
3.5 The validation of foreign AME licence shall no longer be valid if the AME
discontinues the employment with the Indian operator who seeks the
validation.
3.6 The validation of the foreign AME licence shall also be subject to the
requirements/conditions stipulated by the contracting State who has
issued the licence. The authorization ceases to be valid, if the licence
upon which it was issued is revoked or suspended.
3.7 When an authorization is issued for use in commercial air transport
operations, DGCA shall confirm the validity of the other Contracting
State’s licence before issuing the authorization. DGCA may verify the
authenticity of documents in the manner required, if considered necessary
for non-commercial organisation.
3.8 Where an operator needs the services of maintenance engineers of the
aircraft manufacturers, for carrying out the training of Indian aircraft
maintenance engineers on a new type of aircraft which is first time
introduced in the country, the requirements relating to minimum
experience on the type and passing of examination under AIC 02 of 2007
may not be insisted upon.
3.9 The validation of the foreign licence shall be subject to the provisions of
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SERIES L PART XVI 1st August, 2007
Rule 19, Rule 19A and Sub-rule 15 of Rule 61 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937
and can be suspended or cancelled under the said rule, as in the case of
Indian licences.
3.10 The operator/holder of the validation shall be responsible for keeping
current the passport and employment visa vis-à-vis the operator as long
as exercising the privileges of the validation.
3.11 The validation issued shall be valid only when carried along with the
licence validated. The date of validation shall not be beyond the validity of
the licence held. The validity of the authorization shall not extend beyond
the period of validity of the licence.
3.12 The initial validation shall be for a period of one year (maximum).
Subsequent validation after passing on Rule and Regulation Module 9 and
10 of the DGCA AME Licence examination may be renewed up to one two
years at a time subject to meeting of requirements of initial validation
except the passing of oral examination renewal of AME licences as
provided in Rule 61 and after reviewing the progress of training plan
submitted by operator/ Maintenance Organisation for Indian AMEs.
3.13 The validation shall be subject to the provisions of Rule 19, Rule 19A and
Sub-rule 14 15 of Rule 61 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
This supersedes Airworthiness Advisory Circular No. 5 of 1998.
(Faiz Ahmed Kidwai)
Director General of Civil Aviation
Rev. 2, XX December 2025 5CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 2
SERIES L PART XVI 1st August, 2007
APPENDIX `A'
INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR VALIDATION OF FOREIGN LICENCE OF
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS
1. Name of the AME
2. Nationality
3. Duration for which validation is sought
4. Details of the licence held to be validated
a) Country of issue Type of Licence
b) Ratings and Endorsements
c) Validity of Licence
d) Validity of Medical Fitness
e) Whether holding current authorisation
6. Type of aircraft to be maintained in India.
7. Details of maintenance experience (for AMEs only)
a) Total experience
b) Experience on the type of aircraft to be maintained in India.
c) Experience on the type during the last one year.
7. Level of knowledge of English language both written and spoken.
8. Whether previously operated or maintained Indian registered
aircraft? If so, name of the operator and period.
9. Past history (any accident, incident, suspension of licence etc.)
10. Photo Copy of licence and Medical Fitness Certificate.
11. Validation of licence by another country, if any.
12. Any other relevant information.
The documents provided by the foreign AME licence holder are valid and true. Further, it
is also certified that the information furnished above is correct.
Signature of Authorised Person Compliance Monitoring Manager of Indian
Operator/Maintenance Organisation
Name and Address of the Operator/ Maintenance Organisation
Place:
Date:
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SERIES L PART XVI 1st August, 2007
APPENDIX ‘B'
INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR SECURITY CLEARANCE
OF AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS WITH FOREIGN LICENCE
1. Name and address of Indian
operator desiring to employ
foreign nationals.
2. Name in full of foreign Engineer
3. Nationality
4. Permanent address
5. Father’s name in full
6. Date, place & country of birth
7. Details of passport (Number, date,
place and country of issue, validity)
with its photo copy.
8. Indian VISA details, if available.
9. Name and address of
foreign employer, if
employed.
9. Any other relevant information
It is certified that the information furnished above is correct.
Signature of Authorised Person of Indian
Operator
Name and Address of the Operator
Place:
Date:
Rev. 2, XX December 2025 7