TN Spotlight: Veterinarian

The TN category permits citizens of Canada and Mexico to enter the U.S. to provide prearranged professional services to a U.S. entity. Under the regulations, there are 63 professional occupations under which an individual may qualify. One such occupation is a Veterinarian. 

How to Qualify for TN Status as a Veterinarian

To qualify for TN visa status as a Veterinarian, an individual must possess one of the following:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (V.M.D.), or Doctor en Veterinaria Degree; or
• State/Provincial License. 

Typical Veterinarian Job Duties

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to protect the public health. They diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals. 

Typical job duties include:

• Examining animals to assess their health and diagnose problems
• Treating and dressing animals’ wounds
• Performing surgery on animals
• Testing for and vaccinating animals against diseases
• Operating medical equipment (e.g. x-ray and ultrasound machines)
• Advising animal owners about general care, medical conditions, and treatments
• Prescribing medication for animals
• Euthanizing animals

While most Veterinarians have similar job duties, there are several types of veterinarians: companion animal veterinarians treat house pets and generally work in private clinics and hospitals; food animal veterinarians work with farm animals that are raised to be food sources (e.g. pigs, cattle, and sheep); and food safety and inspection veterinarians inspect and test livestock and animal products for major animal diseases. 

Application Process

For citizens of Canada, applicants can submit a TN petition to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at any land port of entry or airport preclearance location throughout Canada. A decision will be made on the spot, and, if approved, the applicant may begin working in the U.S. the same day.

For citizens of Mexico, applicants need to schedule and attend an in-person interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Mexico. Upon approval, the applicant will be issued a TN visa inside his or her passport, which can then be used to gain entry to the U.S. in TN status. 

Additional Resources

Berardi Immigration Law regularly helps individuals obtain TN status and provides an individualized approach for each client. If you study or work as a Veterinarian and want to expand your career to the United States, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys today!