Convert your GCAA licence to Transport Canada
Holding a GCAA pilot licence and moving to Canada? Here's the full picture of converting to a Transport Canada licence — the paperwork, exams, flight test, medical and English requirements at PPL, CPL and ATPL level, with links to Transport Canada's official pages. Every requirement below is set by Transport Canada, the authority issuing your new licence.
The Transport Canada requirements, level by level
Everything Transport Canada requires of a GCAA licence holder — application, theory exams, flight test, medical and English — at each licence level, grounded in Transport Canada's official pages (linked below).
PPL — Private Pilot Licence
- Application & verification
- Get a licence-verification letter from your issuing authority, then apply to TCCA. A Foreign Licence Validation Certificate (FLVC) is available for short-term flying.
- Theory exams
- Meet CARs Standard 421.26 — a written exam (e.g. PSTAR/foreign-credit exam) may be required depending on foreign credits.
- Flight test
- A flight test may be required depending on the credits assessed.
- Medical
- Hold a Canadian Category 3 medical (aeroplane PPL).
- English proficiency
- Meet the Canadian aviation language-proficiency requirement.
CPL — Commercial Pilot Licence
- Application & verification
- Apply to TCCA with a licence-verification letter; foreign credits are assessed under CARs Standard 421.
- Theory exams
- Pass the required Canadian written examination(s).
- Flight test
- Pass a Canadian flight test where required.
- Medical
- Hold a Canadian Category 1 medical.
- English proficiency
- Meet the Canadian aviation language-proficiency requirement.
ATPL — Airline Transport Pilot Licence
- Application & verification
- Apply to TCCA; foreign credits assessed under CARs Standard 421.34.
- Theory exams
- Pass the required Canadian written examination(s) for the ATPL.
- Flight test
- Pass a Canadian flight test / meet the experience requirements.
- Medical
- Hold a Canadian Category 1 medical.
- English proficiency
- Meet the Canadian aviation language-proficiency requirement.
Requirements change — always confirm the current rules with Transport Canada before you start. Official links below.
Planning your conversion
Start the paperwork first
Licence verification and application processing is usually the slowest step — authorities commonly take weeks to months. Lodge it before you book anything else.
Book the medical early
The medical gates your exams and skill test, and it's where surprises surface. Sitting it early means you find out about any issues before you've paid for training or test slots.
Keep your current licence and medical valid
Verification is done against a valid licence, and some routes stay tied to it after issue — letting it lapse mid-conversion can stall or unwind the process.
Confirm fees on the official pages
You'll typically pay separately for the application, each theory exam, the medical examination and the skill test. Amounts change — use the official links on this page for current fee schedules.
Work through it step by step
AvLink's interactive converter turns this guide into your own checklist for any licence and country pair — tick off each requirement as you go, and see the Canada roles you'd qualify for on the other side.
Open the interactive converterOfficial Transport Canada sources
GCAA → Transport Canada: frequently asked questions
Do I have to retake theory exams to convert my GCAA licence to Transport Canada?
For a commercial licence: Pass the required Canadian written examination(s). PPL and ATPL theory requirements differ — see the level-by-level breakdown on this page.
Do I need a flight test (skill test) for a Transport Canada commercial licence?
Pass a Canadian flight test where required. Requirements at PPL and ATPL level are listed above.
What medical do I need to convert to a Transport Canada licence?
For commercial privileges: Hold a Canadian Category 1 medical. For private privileges: Hold a Canadian Category 3 medical (aeroplane PPL).
Does my ICAO English proficiency transfer to Transport Canada?
Meet the Canadian aviation language-proficiency requirement.
How do I apply to convert my GCAA licence to Transport Canada?
Apply to TCCA with a licence-verification letter; foreign credits are assessed under CARs Standard 421. The official Transport Canada pages linked on this page cover the current forms and process.
While your conversion is underway
Get Canada roles that match your licence — emailed weekly
Conversions take months. Line up the seat while you work through the Transport Canadarequirements: tell us your hours and ratings once, and we'll send the roles you actually qualify for as they post.
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Starting fresh in Canada? Track your hours in the free Transport Canada AvLog logbook — laid out to Transport Canada, ready for Excel or Google Sheets.