I have a piggyback PPL based off my UK CPL it is the plastic card version. It has SEL and MEL with the MEL having US skills test pass attached to it.
Could anyone tell me what I need to do to get a standalone FAA PPL. Obviously I need an FAA medical, my flight review is current and I’m trying to avoid all the Visa stuff.
You cannot avoid the US security stuff anymore. Not even the exams.
@bathman post moved to same existing thread. You asked the same Q 11 years ago 
I am sure many others are asking it too but various moves in both the US and I strongly suspect in Europe, by covert mutual arrangement have increased the hassle dramatically. The Brussels “dual papers” reg was another big nail in the coffin.
Contact a FAA flight school in the US that has a DPE readily available, share your experience with them, do the TSA FTSP, get the 3rd class medical, take the written, get a bit of refresher training, and take a checkride. If you plan right, and find the right school, it should be pretty easy.
From what I understand, the major bottleneck in many parts of the country is the DPE scheduling.
Do I need to do the checkride as I already have an MEL with US test passed?
@Bathman wrote:
Do I need to do the checkride as I already have an MEL with US test passed?
I’d contact Seth Lake – he will be able to give you some good advice which you can take to the bank. https://vsl.aero/
“Do I need to do the checkride as I already have an MEL with US test passed?”
Yes, a practical test is needed for the standard pilot certificate as you have only passed a test for an additional rating. Once the standard private pilot certificate has been issued, assuming you do the test on an ASEL, the P/AMEL will be added. You are permitted to hold the restricted (foreign-based) certificate alongside the standard one.
A more efficient solution will be obtaining an EASA PPL from one of the EU countries or Switzerland then using the US–EU/CH conversion agreement to convert it to a standard US private. In this scenario, no US practical test is necessary. It requires a third-class FAA medical, a pass in the abbreviated PEP knowledge test [edit: write the PFB if converting a Swiss licence], and a current flight review (or equivalent) before applying for the certificate. No need to add an MEPCR to the EU/CH PPL as your existing US P/AMEL can be inserted in the new standard US pilot certificate. As no flight training towards an initial standard US pilot certificate is required, you can forego applying to the TSA for a determination of eligibility (security threat assessment), as well as avoiding a student visa. If there is a training shortfall, eg night hours, it can be made up with a UK/EASA instructor beforehand.
