Industry Alert: U.S. Pauses Work Visas for Commercial Truck Drivers
What’s happening: As of August 21, 2025, the U.S. Department of State has paused the issuance of certain work visas for commercial truck drivers, including the H-2B, E-2, and EB-3 categories.
Reason cited: The move comes after a fatal crash in Florida involving a driver who reportedly lacked English proficiency and U.S. authorization, prompting concerns about road safety and driver screening.
Industry response: Groups such as the American Trucking Associations expressed support for the pause but also cautioned that it could worsen an already significant driver shortage.
Numbers impacted: The pause affects only a small fraction of the 3.5 million U.S. truck drivers, as roughly 1,500 H-2B visas are issued to drivers annually.
What’s next: Authorities are conducting a comprehensive review of visa screening and vetting protocols, with increased focus on English language requirements.
Unaffected areas: Drivers already in the U.S. with valid visas are not impacted. In addition, B-1 visa holders, such as many Canadian and Mexican cross-border drivers, are not affected by this pause.
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