H-1B Visa Animal Surgeon Jobs

Animal Surgeon roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations because they require at least a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree plus surgical residency training. Employers in veterinary specialty hospitals, academic medical centers, and university teaching hospitals regularly sponsor H-1B petitions for board-certified candidates. Cap-subject registrations open each March, with a 60-day grace period if your position ends.

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Overview

Open Jobs45+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type100% On-site
Median Salary$238K
Top LocationCary, NC
Most JobsEthos Veterinary Health

Showing 5 of 45+ Animal Surgeon jobs

PetVet Care Centers
Small Animal Surgeon
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PetVet Care Centers
Added 3mo ago
Small Animal Surgeon
PetVet Care Centers
Raritan, New Jersey
Healthcare Administration
$300,000/yr
On-Site
10+ yrs exp.
Doctorate

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VCA Animal Hospitals
Relief Surgeon
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VCA Animal Hospitals
New 22h ago
Relief Surgeon
VCA Animal Hospitals
Denver, Colorado
Medical Specialists
Clinical Support
Surgeons
Animal Care & Husbandry
On-Site
None
10,000+

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NVA
Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon
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NVA
Added 3w ago
Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon
NVA
Gardnerville, Nevada
Clinical Support
Animal Care & Husbandry
On-Site
Other
10,000+

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Vetcor
Orthopedic Surgeon
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Vetcor
Added 1mo ago
Orthopedic Surgeon
Vetcor
Oakdale, California
Medical Specialists
Clinical Support
Surgeons
Animal Care & Husbandry
$185,000/yr - $200,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
None
5,001-10,000

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Ethos Veterinary Health
Veterinary Surgeon
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Ethos Veterinary Health
Added 2mo ago
Veterinary Surgeon
Ethos Veterinary Health
Jacksonville, Florida
Clinical Support
Animal Care & Husbandry
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Tips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Animal Surgeon

Verify your ECFVG or AVMA credentials first

USCIS requires proof your foreign veterinary degree meets U.S. equivalency standards before approving an H-1B for a surgical role. Complete the ECFVG certification or confirm AVMA accreditation status before employers file your petition to avoid an RFE.

Target veterinary specialty hospitals with ACVS diplomates

Employers already employing board-certified surgeons through the American College of Veterinary Surgeons have established hiring pipelines and understand the H-1B process for this specialty. These facilities are significantly more likely to have handled surgical residency-to-H-1B transitions before.

Search H-1B filing history on Migrate Mate

Use Migrate Mate to filter Animal Surgeon roles by employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history, so you approach practices that have already demonstrated willingness to sponsor rather than educating employers from scratch.

Request the LCA wage level matches your surgical seniority

Your employer files a Labor Condition Application with DOL before your H-1B petition. Use the OFLC Wage Search to confirm your offered wage meets at least Level II or III for the SOC code covering veterinary surgeons in your practice's county.

Confirm cap-exempt status if joining a university practice

Veterinary surgery positions at nonprofit research institutions or AVMA-accredited university teaching hospitals may qualify as cap-exempt under USCIS rules, meaning you skip the annual lottery entirely and can file any time of year.

Time your surgical residency completion around H-1B deadlines

The H-1B cap registration window opens in March and employment can begin October 1. If your residency ends mid-year, confirm with your employer whether OPT cap-gap coverage or a cap-exempt filing bridges the gap until your petition takes effect.

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Animal Surgeon H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions

Does an Animal Surgeon role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?

Yes. Animal Surgeon positions require at minimum a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree plus a completed surgical residency and board certification, satisfying USCIS's requirement that the role normally demands a specific bachelor's or higher degree in a directly related field. USCIS consistently recognizes veterinary surgery as a qualifying specialty occupation.

Which employers typically sponsor H-1B visas for Animal Surgeons?

Veterinary specialty and emergency hospitals, AVMA-accredited university teaching hospitals, and nonprofit veterinary research institutions are the most active H-1B sponsors for surgical roles. Academic and research employers often qualify as cap-exempt, which removes the lottery requirement entirely. You can browse employers with verified H-1B filing history for this role on Migrate Mate.

Do foreign veterinary degrees qualify for H-1B specialty occupation status?

Foreign veterinary degrees must meet U.S. equivalency standards before USCIS will approve the petition. Candidates typically complete the ECFVG certification program or hold a degree from an AVMA-accredited foreign institution. Your employer's attorney will include a credential evaluation in the I-129 package, so start the equivalency process well before your intended start date.

Can an Animal Surgeon be hired as cap-exempt to avoid the H-1B lottery?

Yes, if your employer qualifies. Nonprofit veterinary teaching hospitals affiliated with accredited universities, government research facilities, and certain nonprofit research organizations are cap-exempt under USCIS rules. Cap-exempt employers can file an H-1B petition at any point during the year, with no registration requirement and no October 1 start date restriction.

What prevailing wage level applies to Animal Surgeon H-1B petitions?

Your employer files a Labor Condition Application with DOL certifying your offered wage meets the prevailing wage for the applicable SOC code in your geographic area. For board-certified surgeons with specialized training, the wage determination typically falls at Level II or III. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up current wage levels for veterinary occupations in your practice's county before negotiating your offer.

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