Animal Surgeon Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Animal surgeons qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when employers can demonstrate the role requires specialized veterinary knowledge. Most positions require a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, which meets the specialty occupation standard, though USCIS may scrutinize whether the specific role demands advanced surgical expertise beyond general veterinary practice. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Type
Faculty
Salary Range
$125,000 - $185,000
Start Date
As soon as possible
FLSA Status
Exempt
Application Deadline
Aug 31, 2029
Contact
Please submit an online application
Position Summary
The Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine (LIU-CVM) in Brookville, New York, invites applications from self-directed, innovative and motivated individuals for two full-time, tenure or clinical track faculty positions in small animal surgery. Successful candidates will be engaged in the College’s educational, research and service activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Will include clinical and didactic teaching in the small animal surgery course and laboratories.
- Supervision of the small animal surgery clinical clerkship, and active participation in the Veterinary Skills courses offered in semesters 1 to 6 of the DVM program.
- Promote LIU-CVM’s overall mission of enhancing veterinary medical education through a commitment to teaching, academic excellence, and service to a variety of stakeholders.
- Active engagement in curriculum development, identification or creation of innovative learning resources, committee service participation (such as admissions, curriculum, research, etc.) is expected of both clinical and tenure track faculty.
- All tenure track faculty contribute to the overall research and scholarly goals of the College of Veterinary Medicine and are expected to develop independent or collaborative research in the field of small animal surgery within and outside LIU, which may include working with LIU-CVM partners/affiliate veterinary hospitals.
Minimum Qualifications
- DVM or equivalent degree, and expertise in small animal surgery is required.
- Specialty board certification/eligibility by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) or equivalent is essential.
- Advanced training in small animal surgery and research with a PhD is desired.
- Ideal candidates should have working knowledge of curricular design and implementation. One of the successful candidates will be the course director of the small animal surgery course to be delivered during the third year of the DVM program, and the small animal clerkship to be delivered in the fourth year of the DVM program.
- S/he/they will have the proven ability to promote a culture of diversity, equity and inclusiveness and will interact well with University administration, the veterinary education community, faculty, students, and alumni.
About The Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine at Long Island University:
LIU-LCVM received a Letter of Reasonable Assurance from the AVMA-Council on Education on October 16, 2019 and graduated its inaugural class in May 2024. Currently, with over 75 off-campus affiliate sites, LIU Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine utilizes a distributed model of clinical education. The Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine has modern physical facilities designed to support its instructional needs and research activities.
LIU is an equal opportunity employer. LIU is committed to extending equal opportunity in employment to all qualified candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community. LIU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal laws. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States.
Job Type
Faculty
Salary Range
$125,000 - $185,000
Start Date
As soon as possible
FLSA Status
Exempt
Application Deadline
Aug 31, 2029
Contact
Please submit an online application
Position Summary
The Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine (LIU-CVM) in Brookville, New York, invites applications from self-directed, innovative and motivated individuals for two full-time, tenure or clinical track faculty positions in small animal surgery. Successful candidates will be engaged in the College’s educational, research and service activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Will include clinical and didactic teaching in the small animal surgery course and laboratories.
- Supervision of the small animal surgery clinical clerkship, and active participation in the Veterinary Skills courses offered in semesters 1 to 6 of the DVM program.
- Promote LIU-CVM’s overall mission of enhancing veterinary medical education through a commitment to teaching, academic excellence, and service to a variety of stakeholders.
- Active engagement in curriculum development, identification or creation of innovative learning resources, committee service participation (such as admissions, curriculum, research, etc.) is expected of both clinical and tenure track faculty.
- All tenure track faculty contribute to the overall research and scholarly goals of the College of Veterinary Medicine and are expected to develop independent or collaborative research in the field of small animal surgery within and outside LIU, which may include working with LIU-CVM partners/affiliate veterinary hospitals.
Minimum Qualifications
- DVM or equivalent degree, and expertise in small animal surgery is required.
- Specialty board certification/eligibility by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) or equivalent is essential.
- Advanced training in small animal surgery and research with a PhD is desired.
- Ideal candidates should have working knowledge of curricular design and implementation. One of the successful candidates will be the course director of the small animal surgery course to be delivered during the third year of the DVM program, and the small animal clerkship to be delivered in the fourth year of the DVM program.
- S/he/they will have the proven ability to promote a culture of diversity, equity and inclusiveness and will interact well with University administration, the veterinary education community, faculty, students, and alumni.
About The Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine at Long Island University:
LIU-LCVM received a Letter of Reasonable Assurance from the AVMA-Council on Education on October 16, 2019 and graduated its inaugural class in May 2024. Currently, with over 75 off-campus affiliate sites, LIU Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine utilizes a distributed model of clinical education. The Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine has modern physical facilities designed to support its instructional needs and research activities.
LIU is an equal opportunity employer. LIU is committed to extending equal opportunity in employment to all qualified candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community. LIU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal laws. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Animal Surgeon Jobs
Emphasize specialized surgical training beyond general veterinary practice
Highlight advanced surgical certifications, residency training, or specialized procedures you perform. USCIS needs to see why this role requires more than a standard veterinary degree.
Target veterinary hospitals and specialty animal clinics over general practices
Larger veterinary facilities and surgical centers are more likely to sponsor visas and can better demonstrate the specialized nature of surgical positions to USCIS.
Document your surgical case volume and complexity
Maintain records of complex procedures, emergency surgeries, and specialized techniques. This evidence helps differentiate your role from general veterinary practice during the petition process.
Consider research universities with veterinary programs
Academic veterinary institutions often sponsor international talent for both clinical work and research. These positions may combine surgery with teaching or research responsibilities.
Prepare for potential RFEs questioning specialty occupation status
USCIS may challenge whether animal surgery requires specialized knowledge. Your employer should document specific surgical skills, advanced equipment use, and complex case requirements upfront.
Explore EB-2 NIW pathway for veterinary research or public health impact
If your surgical work involves research, disease prevention, or serves underserved communities, the National Interest Waiver may provide a direct path to permanent residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do animal surgeons qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes, animal surgeons typically qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship since the role requires specialized veterinary knowledge and a professional degree. However, USCIS may issue RFEs questioning whether the specific position demands advanced surgical expertise beyond general veterinary practice, so employers must clearly document the specialized surgical requirements and complexity of procedures performed.
What degree requirements do employers need to meet for animal surgeon H-1B petitions?
The position must require a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent veterinary degree as the minimum qualification. Additional surgical training, board certification, or specialized residency programs strengthen the petition by demonstrating the role's complexity. The employer's job description should specify these advanced requirements rather than accepting general veterinary qualifications.
Which visa categories work best for international animal surgeons?
H-1B is the primary pathway, though the cap limitation creates uncertainty. O-1 visas may apply for surgeons with extraordinary ability demonstrated through publications, awards, or recognition in veterinary surgery. EB-2 NIW can work for surgeons whose work serves the national interest through research, public health, or serving underserved animal populations.
How do USCIS approval rates compare for veterinary positions versus other medical roles?
Veterinary positions face more scrutiny than human medical roles because USCIS sometimes questions whether animal surgery constitutes a true specialty occupation. Success rates improve when employers clearly document advanced surgical procedures, specialized equipment requirements, and the distinction between general veterinary practice and surgical specialization. Strong documentation is critical for approval.
Can animal surgeons transition to permanent residency while working on H-1B status?
Yes, through employer-sponsored EB-2 or EB-3 pathways, though PERM labor certification may be challenging if employers cannot prove unavailability of qualified U.S. workers. EB-2 NIW offers a direct path for surgeons whose work demonstrates national interest through veterinary research, public health contributions, or serving critical veterinary shortage areas without requiring employer sponsorship.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Animal Surgeon jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
How to find Animal Surgeon jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Animal Surgeon positions with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international veterinary professionals with sponsoring employers. Focus on large veterinary hospitals, animal research facilities, zoos, and agricultural companies that commonly sponsor H-1B, O-1, or EB-2 visas for specialized veterinary surgeons. These employers often have the resources and need for international veterinary expertise.