Truck Driver Jobs in USA With Visa Sponsorship; according to a report, the demand for drivers in the United States has been on the rise in recent time.

The US has a growing and expanding economy as well as e-commerce, given there’s a corresponding need to transport goods, leading to the shortage of qualified and reliable truck drivers.

Given this shortage, many trucking companies are looking to hire talents from overseas, in this regard they offer visa sponsorship to foreign nationals who meet the prerequisites to work as truck drivers in the U.S.

If you are looking to secure a truck driving opportunity with visa sponsorship in the United States, this guide will provide ample idea on how best to get started, types of visas used for truck driver jobs, eligibility requirements, benefits, and possible challenges faced by foreign drivers.

About the trucking industry

Over 70% of goods transported in the United States is being handled by its trucking industry, from raw materials to finished products, the industry plays a crucial role in keeping the supply chains moving.

According to American Trucking Associations, there are approximately 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S., subsiding this, there’s a shortage of drivers, with ATA predicting that the industry will need an additional 160,000 drivers by 2030 to meet growing demand.

However, the shortage of drivers is traced to some factors like; aging workforce, high turnover rates, and demanding nature of the job, which often involves long hours and time away from home.

Given this, trucking companies have been looking abroad to fill these positions by offering visa sponsorship.

Benefits of the US visa sponsorship

Beyond covering the truck jobs visa sponsorship in the US, this opportunity unlocks doors to amazing benefits which include but are not limited to;

Funds to cover application fees, airfare, first month’s rent, insurance and other settlement needs
Connection to an established professional network in your industry right from the start
Support navigating transition with less financial pressure or instability
Increased chances for further career advancement, investment in top-tier jobs
Ability to live and work legally in the US.
Access to abundant job and career opportunities
Pathway to a potential US permanent residency.

Role of a truck driver in the US

It’s necessary you understand what is expected of you as a truck driver in the US, here are your main roles;

You will deliver products and supplies all over the country as deemed necessary

Be it as it may, the services of truck drivers are on high demand in the US, an upside to it is that you do not require a formal education to be suitable for the position.

Eligibility criteria for truck driver jobs in the US

You are required to be at least 18 or 21 if driving will take you outside the state
Truck driving is under the non-skilled job category, you do not require a special certificate, however, it’s reasonable that you keep your high school diploma at hand.
English minimum proficiency is required

You need a driving experience with documents like;

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL); A valid CDL from your home country is needed
You need at least two years of driving experience with trucks or relevant vehicles
Additional Licensing: In some case you may need more training or certification to work

Clean driving record:

You should have a clean driving record with no major traffic violations or accidents in recent years.

Medical examination:

They will make sure you are healthy enough to drive and that you can handle the demands of the job, you must pass a medical test.

You need to have no crime record for safety.

You need the H-2B visa program by the employer to support you
You will need a job offer from a company in the United States and meet the standards of the H-2B program.

Visa categories for truck jobs in the US

The US H-2B visa program allows U.S. employers or U.S. agent who meet specific requirements to bring foreign nationals to the U.S.

The H-2B visa program is designed to benefit various American industries.

One of the main driving factors for H-2B visas is the demand for truck drivers. As the country emerges from the pandemic, trucking and transportation companies are struggling to hire enough drivers domestically.

If you are looking to immigrate to the U.S., to work as a truck driver you will need the H-2B visa.

H-2B Visa requirements

To qualify for the H-2B vias, the employer who stands as the petitioner must establish that there are not enough U.S. workers who are able, willing, and qualified, and available to provide the services or labor.

That employing the H-2B worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S., workers.

That the petitioner’s need for the prospective worker’s service or labor is temporary regardless of whether the underlying job can be describe as temporary, and must submit a single valid temporary labor certification from the US department of labor (DOL) along with the H-2B petition.

Before requesting H-2B visa from the US citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), employer must apply for and a temporary labor certification application to the DOL.

Having received a temporary labor certification from the DOL, the petitioner must file Form I-29, petition for nonimmigrant worker, with USCIS on the prospective employee’s behalf.

H-2B application process

The H-2B application process is divided into three phases as follows;

The petitioner applies for labor certification from the Department of Labor, this include conducting a labor market test with the State Workforce Agency where the work will be performed.
Employer petitions USCIS for approval to hire a specific number of workers under the H-2B visa classification.
After USCIS approves the petition workers apply with a Department of State visa-issuing embassy or consulate abroad for their H-2B visa.

To qualify for H-2b Visa as a truck driver, you must be at least 18 years old. While commercial driver’s licenses issued in Mexico and Canada are valid in the United States, other drivers will need to pass a test and receive their U.S. CDL before beginning work.

Your employer is responsible that you are trained and licensed.

How to get truck driving job in the U.S. with visa sponsorship

Having decided that you are looking for a truck driving opportunity with visa sponsorship in the US, you will need to visit some truck driving company’s websites in the U.S., for available openings.

Be sure to visit some job websites like Indeed for available jobs, join American forums and connect with truck drivers and employees from other spheres who could easily point you to an existing opening.

Leverage social networking platforms for more opportunities, Linkedn is a good place to start.

Companies that offer truck driving jobs in the U.S.

Penske Truck Leasing and Logistics
Archer Daniels Midland Company
American Trucking Associations Jobs
Trucking Moves America Forward
Indeed

How do I get a visa sponsored job in USA?

You will need to search job boards and company websites for openings that explicitly mention sponsorship for work visas.

Attend job fairs, conferences, or networking events where you can directly connect with HR representatives and hiring managers.

How to come to USA as a truck driver

As a truck driver you can get to the US through the employer sponsorship H-2B visa.

The immigration routes can be used to employ you as a foreign immigrant truck driver. It’s either you go through the H-2B visa (Temporary Employee) or the EB-3 (Green Card).

The H-2B visa process permits a petitioner to employ drivers within two to three months interval.

Can a Nigerian become a truck driver in the US?

The answer is yes, however, to drive any commercial vehicle or semi-trucks you will need a CDL (commercial driver’s license), To get it you will need to go to the dmv or state depending on which state in the US.

You are required to pass a two parts examination, written and practice to qualify.

This is apart from securing a sponsored visa for truck driving job in the USA.

What qualification do you need to be a truck driver in the US?

The minimum requirements include but are not limited to;

Be at least 18 years old, 21 for inter-state travel
Proof of citizenship
Possess a valid driver’s license
Have a driving experience not less than 2 years
Clean driving record
Passing DOT physical exams
Successfully completing FMCSA approved training,

How do I find a company willing to sponsor my Visa?

Assess your qualifications: Before you set out to look for a job, assess your qualifications to determine which visa category you fit into. This will help you target the right employers and job opportunities.

Research potential employers: Once you know which visa category you qualify for, start researching potential employers who have a history of sponsoring visas.

Job board: Use job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn to find job posting that offer visa sponsorship
Direct application: Apply directly on company websites for positions that suites and meet your interest.

Tailor your resume and cover letter: A well-crafted resume and cover letter can significantly improve your chances of getting noticed by potential employers.

Consider having your resume updated by a professional resume writer or company that specializes in resume writing.

Having a well-crafted resume that allows you to highlight your skills and qualifications can significantly increase your chances of landing a sponsoring employer in the United States.

Highlight relevant experience: Focus on your skills and experience that match the job requirements
Mention visa sponsorship: Clearly state you need visa sponsorship in your cover letter. This helps employers understand your situation from the start.
Showcase achievements: Include any awards, certifications or significant achievements that make you a strong candidate.

Network effectively: Networking is a powerful tool in search, especially when looking for visa sponsorship.

Professional associations: Join industry-specific professional associations and attend their events to meet potential employers.
LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field and reach out to recruiters who specialize in visa sponsorship
Job fairs: Attend job fairs that focus on international workers

Which country is best for visa sponsored jobs?

There are basically a list of countries where you stand the best chance to land a visa sponsored job, these countries include but are not limited to;

The UK
The U.S.A
Canada, etc.

What is the best visa for truck drivers?

If you are a foreign worker hoping to work as a truck driver in the US, you may be served best by applying for H-2B visa.

What are truck drivers called in the US?

A truck driver is commonly called a trucker, teamster, or driver in the United States and Canada, a truckie in Australia and New Zealand, and HGV driver in the United Kingdom, Ireland and European Union.

Are truck drivers in demand in USA?

American trucking association estimates a shortage of roughly 60,000 drivers in today’s market, with the shortage expected to grow to 82,000.

Trucking industry forecast for 2025 indicates that the trends impacting the trucking industry in 2024 are unlikely to reverse any time soon.

Is Nigerian driving license valid in USA?

Your Nigerian driving license is valid in the United States. You may wish to obtain a Texas driver’s license for the convenience of having a widely accepted means of identification.

How long does it take to become a truck driver in the USA?

Obtaining a CDL can take as little as three weeks or as long as six months. However, on average, it takes about seven weeks to get a CDL when attending a full-time driver training program.

Conclusion