The FAR's just seems to require that he has the hours logged and
training on the subjects for part 61.whatever, they don't say anything
about requiring the training to be in the US. I guess the fundamental
question is if the foreign training counts. Only the FSDO will know
that one.

My club has a member with the Dutch equivalent of a recreational pilot
rating. Since, unlike a private or commercial rating, that is not
internationally recognized, he got nowhere with the FAA. Since he will
be here for a few years, he took (wrote, to you Brits :-) ) the US
knowledge test, got the required instructional flights required to
prepare for the test (FAR 61.39), and passed his US private pilot
practical test with flying colors. Prior to that, he'd been flying (in
the US) on a student pilot license.

US pilots should understand that if they have a sport/recreational
rating, that it may not be recognized abroad either.

Tony V. CFI-G
P.S. I signed his license application (form 8710-1)