How Mexican veterinarians can practice in the United States

The United States is facing a significant shortage of veterinarians, and skilled DVMs trained in Mexico are increasingly part of the solution. But moving from a Mexican veterinary degree to practicing legally in the U.S. requires following a specific, well-defined pathway.

The two starting points

Graduates of the FMVZ-UNAM during its AVMA accreditation period (2011-2025) are recognized as graduates of an accredited school. This means they can skip the ECFVG equivalency process and move directly toward the NAVLE and state licensing, a meaningfully faster route.

Graduates of other Mexican universities typically complete the ECFVG (Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates) certification first, which verifies their education and clinical skills before they sit for the NAVLE.

The NAVLE

The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE), administered by the ICVA, is the standardized exam required for licensure across the U.S. and Canada. Preparation matters, and structured, mentor-supported preparation dramatically improves outcomes.

The visa

Veterinarian is a profession covered under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA) TN visa category. For Mexican citizens, this is a direct professional work visa, no H-1B lottery, applied for at a U.S. consulate with a job offer and the required credentials.

Putting it together

Evaluation of your profile, NAVLE preparation, state licensing, the TN visa, and relocation each have their own timeline. For UNAM-accredited graduates, the accelerated path can run in roughly 9-15 months. VetBridge USA coordinates each of these steps end-to-end, including the visa work through independent immigration attorneys.