Can A Foreigner Become A Truck Driver In The USA?

Can a foreigner become a truck driver in the USA? This is one of the questions many foreign drivers who are tired of low pay and working conditions in their home countries are searching for answers. My answer is YES. Foreigners can secure jobs as truck drivers in America.

If you are also considering immigrating to the United States to work as a truck driver, that’s the best decision you will ever make. U.S. truck drivers earn a lot of money and enjoy good working conditions.

But how much exactly do U.S. truck drivers make per month? Keep reading this article. I will give you an overview of average hourly and monthly pay later in this article.

Before then, let’s find out if there is a shortage of truck drivers in the U.S.

It is no secret that there has been an extreme shortage of truck drivers in the U.S. for several years now, as many people choose white color jobs. According to the American Trucking Association, there was a shortage of approximately 80,000 drivers in 2021, a figure that’s expected to grow in the coming years.

To address the shortage, various trucking companies in the United States have been hiring overseas drivers to fill the gap.

So, as you can see from the above information, several truck driving jobs are waiting for you.

Requirements for truck drivers in the U.S.

You don’t need a degree to work as a truck driver in the United States. In fact, most trucking companies hire truck drivers with a high school diploma or equivalent.

If you plan to drive long-haul drivers, you must obtain a commercial driver’s license, also known as a CDL.

Qualifications and requirements for obtaining a CDL vary by state, but generally, you will be required to undergo serious training and pass both a knowledge and a driving test.

But remember that a CDL is a general license for truck drivers. If you plan to drive specialized trucks, you must obtain a relevant endorsement on your CDL. For instance, if you want to drive trucks that transport hazardous material (HAZMAT), your CDL should have an H endorsement (endorsement for hazardous materials).

Securing a job as a truck driver in the USA as a foreigner

If you are a foreign truck driver hoping to secure a job as a truck driver in America, you first need to look for U.S. employers who are ready to offer you a job. The most common U.S. employers who hire foreign truck drivers include trucking and logistics companies.

You can apply directly to companies looking for foreign truck drivers or through a recruitment agency. You will need to have a clean driving record and relevant work experience to better secure a job in the U.S. as a truck driver.

Once you have a job offer from a U.S. employer, you can apply for a work visa to enable you to move to the U.S.

Types of U.S. work visas for truck drivers

There are two immigration options for truck drivers moving to the United States. These are the options trucking companies use whenever they want to hire foreign truck drivers. These options include applying for a:

(1) H-2B Visa (Temporary Worker)

This is a temporary visa that allows employers (trucking companies) to hire foreign truck drivers for a period of two to three months. Your employer must prove to the immigration department that they have a seasonal or temporary staff shortage and need additional truck drivers.

U.S. employers who hire foreign truck drivers on a temporary basis (on an H-2B visa) are obligated to pay visa application fees, flight tickets, accommodation, and a wage determined by the Department of Labor.

A temporary work visa typically takes three to seven months to process. Once approved, you will be allowed to move to the U.S. and work for a period not exceeding nine months. Unfortunately, you cannot move with your family under an H-2B visa.

You will be required to leave the U.S. immediately before your visa expires. Otherwise, you can return to the U.S. on an H-2B visa after three months and again for a period not exceeding nine months.

In fact, the total months of employment you can work in the United States as a truck driver on an H-2B Visa is 27 months.

(2) EB-3 (Green Card)

This visa allows U.S. companies to sponsor foreign truck drivers to move to the U.S. to work in a permanent position.

The EB-3 visa program takes between 12 to 24 months to complete. During this period, your U.S. employer will petition you to move to the United States to fill the vacant position.

When filing a petition, your employer needs to demonstrate that they could not find a suitable truck driver from the U.S. workforce to fill the position. This is usually a small issue for most trucking companies since the shortage of truck drivers in the U.S. is a widely known problem.

If you want your family (spouse and children under 21) to accompany you to the United States, you must apply for an H-4 visa for each dependent who will accompany you.

How to obtain a U.S. work visa for truck drivers

Without a job offer from a legit employer or a U.S. employer to sponsor, you can apply for a work visa. So, before you begin the visa application process, ensure you have an eligible job offer from a legit U.S. employer.

A legit U.S. employer includes a trucking or logistics company with all the necessary paperwork. You must confirm whether the company that offered you a job has a temporary labor certification for H-2B workers. Your employer must also prove that Form I-129 they submitted when filing your petition, was approved.

That’s not all. Suppose you are applying for an H-2B Visa. In that case, USCIS states that your American employer must demonstrate that, indeed, they verified your experience and you will be working on a temporary basis.

If you are applying for an EB-3 visa, USCIS states that your U.S. employer must prove that they have tried to find a suitable employer in the country without success.

Once your potential employer has demonstrated and met all the requirements, you can apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

Taking a truck driver training course

If you were already a truck driver in your home country, you would still be required to attend a professional truck driving school to do a CDL training course upon landing in the United States.

The course teaches you how to maneuver large trucks through crowded streets and interstate highways. You will also learn various state driving laws as well as federal regulations and laws that govern interstate truck driving.

How much does a beginner truck driver earn in the USA?

According to ZipRecruiter, an entry-level CDL driver in the U.S. earns an average hourly pay of $36. The hourly wage may start as low as $12 and go as high as $60 based on the location, skill level, and years of experience.

Top 10 highest-paying cities for entry-level CDL driver jobs

Below are the top 10 cities where the salary for entry-level CDL drivers is above the national average. These estimates and comparisons are derived from third-party data sources.

City	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
New York City, NY	$90,036	$7,503	$1,731	$43.29
Berkeley, CA	$89,393	$7,449	$1,719	$42.98
Bend, OR	$87,327	$7,277	$1,679	$41.98
Renton, WA	$87,247	$7,270	$1,677	$41.95
Merced, CA	$86,828	$7,235	$1,669	$41.74
Santa Monica, CA	$86,780	$7,231	$1,668	$41.72
Daly City, CA	$86,428	$7,202	$1,662	$41.55
San Mateo, CA	$86,223	$7,185	$1,658	$41.45
Boston, MA	$85,338	$7,111	$1,641	$41.03
Clovis, NM	$84,961	$7,080	$1,633	$40.85

Wrapping Up

Embarking on the journey of securing a truck driver job in the US as a foreigner may seem daunting. But with careful planning, if you happen to move to the US as a truck driver, this rare opportunity is so rewarding.

Trucking and logistics companies in the US welcomes experienced drivers like you, offering you a chance to earn a decent income and explore a country known for its advancements in infrastructure. Take the leap, embrace the challenge, and unlock the doors to a promising future in the truck driving industry in the land of opportunity