H-2B Truck-Driver Approvals Remain Extremely Rare as U.S. Tightens Eligibility Rules

Approval of H-2B visas for truck-driving positions remains exceptionally rare, according to federal data and industry analysis. The H-2B program, primarily designed for temporary, seasonal non-agricultural work, has never been a significant source of drivers for the trucking industry. USCIS filings show that only a very small fraction of all H-2B positions fall under transportation roles, and analysts estimate that truck drivers account for only about 1,000 approvals in FY 2024 nationwide. Because trucking-specific visa counts are not published separately, exact trends are difficult to confirm, but some industry sources believe the number of trucking approvals may now be at or near a 10-year low.

This scarcity is further amplified by recent federal actions tightening rules around non-citizen commercial drivers. FMCSA has increased scrutiny on non-domiciled CDLs, strengthened immigration-status verification, and restricted the ability of temporary-visa holders to operate commercial motor vehicles. These regulations signal a broader shift prioritizing domestic hiring and heightened safety oversight. While the H-2B program technically still permits limited truck-driving positions, the combination of strict licensing rules, increased compliance requirements, and evolving federal enforcement has made approvals even more uncommon, leaving carriers with fewer options to supplement their workforce through temporary visa programs.