Externships for International Veterinary Students

If your hospital is interested in hosting international veterinary students for an externship, please review these resources and frequently asked questions.

Externship eligibility:

Our veterinary student externships are exclusively for veterinary students attending AVMA-accredited veterinary universities. Some of these schools are located outside of the US. For the most up to date information on AVMA-accredited school locations, please visit the following site:

https://www.avma.org/education/center-for-veterinary-accreditation/accredited-veterinary-colleges

Travel requirements:

In order to enter the United States of America for an externship, most international students will need to complete either the Visa Waiver Program or a B-1 Visa. This is the responsibility of the student to complete.

A few exceptions to these requirements exist, and are detailed here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/travel-without-a-visa.html’

What is the Visa Waiver Program?

This is available for students that are citizens of ~40 participating countries that permits them to visit the US for 90 days or less for an activity that would be permitted on a Visitor (B) Visa.

Please view complete and up to date details here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html

What if the student does not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, if their country of citizenship is not a Visa Waiver Program Designated Country?

The student would need to apply for a B-1 Visa. This is a Visa that is available for short-term training, and other business purposes, that permits entry into the US for 6 months or less.

Please view complete and up to date details here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html

Special alert: this website also lets you view the approximate wait time for an interview at the US embassy in their country. Many countries are currently experiencing extended wait times for visitor visa interviews, of up to a year.

Can we issue a stipend payment to international students, like we do for vet student externs that are US citizens?

No. The B-1 Visa and Visa Waiver Program/ESTA do not permit the individual to be paid.

Can we offer expense reimbursement to international students?

Yes. See below for details.

What is the process for expense reimbursement for international veterinary students completing an externship with my hospital?

Please instruct your extern to save their receipts for travel and lodging.
The practice manager (or other hospital leader) may complete the attached invoice detailing their extern’s qualified expenses.
Submit a Service Request to Hospital Finance, with the Request Type "Accounts Payable" and then for AP Request Type select "Other".
Attach all receipts and use the Invoice Template attached below. Please make a note in the Details of Request what this is for- expense reimbursement for an international extern, in place of offering an externship stipend.
Total of expense reimbursement should not exceed $600 x the number of weeks they spend at your hospital (to keep it in line with what the stipend would have been for a US student).
AP will process the request and mail a check to the address indicated on the invoice.

Are international students eligible to work as a veterinarian in the US after they graduate?

As long as they are attending an AVMA-accredited veterinary university, their process for achieving licensure in the US will be fairly straightforward. They will need to pass the NAVLE board exam, successfully complete their schooling, and complete necessary state requirements. They will also require a Visa or Green Card to work in the US.

If they did not attend an AVMA-accredited veterinary university, they will need to successfully complete either the ECFVG or PAVE program, in addition to the requirements described above. For more information on the ECFVG and PAVE programs, please visit the following sites:

https://www.avma.org/education/ecfvg/ecfvg-policies-and-procedures/steps-ecfvg-certification-program

https://www.aavsb.org/pave/

What if I have more questions, not addressed here?

Please feel free to reach out to Laura Leinen for more information! Email lauradvm@unitedvetcare.com