The U.S. paused new truck driver visas in 2024, making it harder for foreign drivers to work legally in America

In June 2024, the U.S. Department of State stopped processing new H-2B visas for truck drivers, a temporary work visa category that had allowed foreign nationals to drive commercial trucks in the United States. This pause affects drivers from outside the U.S. who were hoping to enter the country for trucking jobs. The pause does not affect drivers already holding valid H-2B visas, but it does block new applications and renewals for the time being.

The pause happened because Congress did not allocate additional H-2B visa numbers for the fiscal year, and the existing pool was exhausted. H-2B visas are capped at 66,000 per year, and that number covers all temporary non-agricultural workers across all industries — not just trucking. When the cap fills, the State Department stops processing new cases until the next fiscal year or Congress raises the limit.

Key Takeaways

  • The H-2B visa pause blocks new truck driver applications but does not affect drivers who already hold valid H-2B visas.
  • H-2B visas are capped at 66,000 per year across all non-agricultural industries, and trucking competes for those slots with hospitality, landscaping, and other sectors.
  • Trucking companies must show they cannot find U.S. workers willing to do the job before they can request an H-2B visa for a foreign driver.
  • The pause may last until the next fiscal year or until Congress votes to raise the H-2B cap, which has happened in the past but is not may provide.

How the H-2B visa works for truck drivers

The H-2B visa is a temporary work visa for non-agricultural jobs. A trucking company cannot straightforward hire a foreign driver and bring them to the U.S.; instead, the company must file a petition with the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The company must prove that it tried to hire U.S. workers first and could not find anyone willing to do the job at the wage offered.

Once the company's petition is approved, the foreign driver can explore for the visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. The visa is valid for up to three years and can be renewed, but each renewal requires a new petition and a new visa number from the annual cap. The visa is tied to the specific employer — if the driver wants to change jobs, they need a new petition.

Why the pause happened and what triggered it

The H-2B cap of 66,000 visas per year is set by Congress and has not changed since 2004. That cap covers all temporary non-agricultural workers: truck drivers, hotel workers, landscapers, seafood processors, and many others. In recent years, demand for H-2B visas has grown faster than the cap allows, and the annual allocation fills earlier each year.

In 2024, the cap filled before the end of the fiscal year, and no new H-2B petitions could be processed. Congress can vote to raise the cap or allocate supplemental visas, as it has done in past years, but there is no automatic increase. The pause remains in effect until Congress acts or the next fiscal year begins with a fresh allocation.

What this means for foreign truck drivers trying to enter the U.S.

If you are a truck driver outside the U.S. and your employer has not yet filed an H-2B petition on your behalf, you cannot enter the country through this visa category right now. Your employer would need to wait until the cap resets or Congress raises the limit. Some employers may explore other visa categories, though options for truck drivers are limited.

The EB-3 employment-based green card is another path, but it is much slower — the process typically takes years, not months. It also requires the employer to go through a labor certification process to prove no U.S. worker is available. Some drivers may look into the TN visa if they are Canadian or Mexican citizens, though that visa is typically for professional and specialty occupations, not truck driving.

What this means for truck drivers already in the U.S. on H-2B visas

If you hold a valid H-2B visa and are currently working as a truck driver in the U.S., the pause does not affect you. You can continue working until your visa expires. However, if your visa is expiring and you want to renew it, your employer will need to file a new petition, and that petition cannot be processed while the pause is in effect.

Some drivers in this situation may be able to change employers if another trucking company is willing to sponsor them, but that company would also face the same barrier — no new H-2B petitions are being accepted. Drivers should talk to their employer and possibly an immigration attorney about their options well before their visa expires.

Whether the pause might end and when

The pause will end when one of two things happens: Congress votes to raise or supplement the H-2B cap, or the next fiscal year begins and a new allocation of 66,000 visas becomes available. Congress has raised the H-2B cap in the past — for example, in 2004 and 2017 — but it is not automatic and requires legislative action.

The next fiscal year begins on October 1st each year. If Congress does not act before then, a new pool of 66,000 H-2B visas becomes available, and the State Department can begin processing new truck driver petitions again. However, that pool may fill quickly depending on demand across all industries, so the pause could return later in the fiscal year.

Other visa options for truck drivers

The H-2B is not the only visa available to foreign truck drivers, though it is the most common. The TN visa is available to Canadian and Mexican citizens for certain professional occupations, but truck driving is not typically classified as a TN-may be able to access profession. An immigration attorney can advise whether your specific role might may have access to.

The EB-3 employment-based green card is another option, but it is a permanent immigration path, not a temporary visa. The process is lengthy and requires the employer to demonstrate that no U.S. worker is available for the position. Some employers sponsor drivers through this route, but it takes years to complete.

A few states have explored regional or state-level programs to address truck driver shortages, but these do not replace federal visa categories. Any driver considering immigration to the U.S. should speak with an immigration attorney who understands trucking employment to explore all available options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my employer sponsor me for a truck driver visa right now?

Not through the H-2B visa. The cap is full and no new petitions are being accepted. Your employer would need to wait until the cap resets on October 1st or Congress votes to raise the limit. Other visa categories like the EB-3 green card may be possible, but they take much longer.

I have an H-2B visa that expires next year. What happens when it expires?

Your employer would need to file a new petition to renew your visa, but that petition cannot be processed while the pause is in effect. You should talk to your employer and an immigration attorney now about your options, which may include changing employers or exploring other visa categories.

Does the pause affect truck drivers who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents?

No. The pause only affects foreign nationals explore for H-2B visas. U.S. citizens and green card holders can work as truck drivers without any visa restrictions.

Has Congress raised the H-2B cap before?

Yes. Congress has voted to increase or supplement the H-2B cap in the past, most recently in 2017. However, these increases are not automatic and require new legislation, so there is no may provide the cap will be raised this time.

What should I do if I am a foreign truck driver waiting to come to the U.S.?

Talk to your prospective employer about the pause and ask whether they plan to wait for the cap to reset or explore other visa options. Consider consulting an immigration attorney who works with trucking companies to understand all paths available to you, including green card sponsorship.