Truck Driving Gigs in USA & Canada With Visa Support
Truck Driving: The trucking industry in both the United States and Canada continues to face a massive driver shortage in 2025. This has forced many large carriers to actively recruit experienced international drivers and offer visa sponsorship (TN under USMCA, LMIA based work permits, or direct company sponsorship for U.S. H-2B/EB-3 routes). Below are ten real companies that have sponsored foreign truck drivers in the last 18 to 24 months or publicly advertise sponsorship programs today. All pay in USD or CAD, offer training for new countries’ rules, and provide relocation help.
If you hold a valid commercial driver’s license from your home country and have at least one to two years of verifiable heavy truck experience, these companies can help you move to North America legally with a work visa. Most programs target drivers from Mexico, India, Philippines, Eastern Europe, South Africa, Australia, and the UK, but anyone with clean records and experience can apply.
Top 10 Truck Driving Jobs with Visa Sponsorship
1. Werner Enterprises (United States)
Werner runs one of the largest legal immigration programs for truck drivers in the U.S. They sponsor both TN visas (for Mexican and Canadian citizens under USMCA) and EB-3 green cards for drivers from any country. Starting pay is $70,000 to $85,000 first year for solo OTR. Full medical, 401(k), and paid orientation in Dallas or Phoenix. They accept AZ, Class 1, or equivalent foreign CDL with international driving permit.
2. Schneider National (United States)
Schneider has an active TN and EB-3 sponsorship program. They hire hundreds of Mexican and Canadian drivers every year and recently opened EB-3 slots for other nationalities. Average first-year pay is $75,000 plus for over-the-road van or tanker. They pay for your hotel and flight to orientation and help with Social Security number and CDL transfer.
3. Bison Transport (Canada)
Winnipeg-based Bison is one of the most aggressive sponsors for long-haul Class 1 drivers in Canada. They regularly file LMIAs for U.S., Mexico, India, and Philippines drivers. Pay starts at CAD $80,000 to $100,000 first year with full benefits and RRSP matching. They run mostly Canada-only and Canada-U.S. cross-border routes.
4. Challenger Motor Freight (Canada)
Cambridge, Ontario company that sponsors dozens of international drivers every year through LMIA. Fast cross-border and single-run Canada-U.S. routes. New drivers earn CAD $85,000 plus in the first 12 months. They pay for your medical exam and work permit fees.
5. Mullen Group (Canada)
One of the biggest trucking conglomerates in Canada. Companies under Mullen (Grimshaw Trucking, Hi-Way 9, Kleysen, etc.) sponsor foreign drivers every month. Pay ranges from CAD $90,000 to $120,000 depending on division (flatbed, tanker, dry van). Many locations across Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
6. Knight-Swift Transportation (United States)
The largest full-truckload carrier in North America. Knight-Swift has restarted its EB-3 sponsorship program in 2024 to 2025 and regularly hires Mexican drivers under TN visa. Solo drivers average $80,000 to $95,000 first year. Multiple terminals and dedicated accounts available.
7. Crete Carrier / Shaffer Trucking (United States)
Family-owned company famous for high pay and no-touch freight. They partner with immigration attorneys and sponsor EB-3 and TN visas. Top 50 percent of drivers earn over $93,000 per year. Home time every 12 to 14 days with national OTR runs.
8. Manitoulin Transport (Canada)
One of the largest LTL and truckload carriers in Canada. Very active LMIA sponsorship program for deck and dry-van and reefer drivers. Pay starts at CAD $80,000 and quickly goes to six figures with cross-border runs. Terminals from BC to Nova Scotia.
9. JBS Carriers (United States)
Part of the world’s largest meat processor. JBS sponsors livestock and refrigerated drivers through EB-3 and H-2B programs. Pay is $75,000 to $100,000 first year with weekly home time on many accounts. Locations in Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and Pennsylvania.
10. Day & Ross (Canada)
Major Canadian carrier owned by McCain Foods. Heavy sponsorship program for Class 1 drivers running Canada-U.S. and domestic. First-year earnings CAD $85,000 to $110,000. They pay for your air ticket, first month hotel, and work permit costs.
READ ALSO: Procedures to Get Visa Sponsorship Job in the United State as an African
FAQs
Do I need a CDL from the USA or Canada before applying?
No. Most of these companies accept your home-country commercial license plus an international driving permit. They will train you and help you get the local CDL after arrival (usually within two to four weeks).
Which countries are easiest to get sponsored from?
Mexico and Canada (TN visa is instant at the border), India, Philippines, Ukraine, Poland, South Africa, and the UK have the highest success rates right now.
How long does the whole process take?
TN visa (Mexicans Canadians): one day at the border. LMIA Canada: three to six months. EB-3 USA: eight to eighteen months for green card, but many companies bring you on TN or H-2B first while waiting.
Will the company pay for flights and housing?
Almost all pay for your flight to orientation and provide hotel during training. Some (Bison, Challenger, Day & Ross) also cover first month rent or give a signing bonus of $3,000 to $10,000.
Do I need perfect English? A
You need to pass the DOT or Ministry of Transportation English listening and speaking test (similar to IELTS 4.Driver level), but many drivers arrive with basic English and improve on the job.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. TN and LMIA spouses get open work permits. EB-3 includes the whole family in the green-card process.
Is there an age limit?
Most companies accept drivers up to fifty-five or sixty years old if you are healthy and pass the medical exam.
How much experience do I need?
Minimum one year (some accept six months) of verifiable heavy truck or bus experience in the last three years.
Do these jobs include health insurance?
Yes, full medical, dental, and vision after thirty to ninety days in both countries.
Can I become a permanent resident later?
Canada: Most provincial nominee programs fast-track truck drivers after twelve to twenty-four months. USA: Many companies file EB-3 green card from day one.
Truck Driving: The trucking industry in both the United States and Canada continues to face a massive driver shortage in 2025. This has forced many large carriers to actively recruit experienced international drivers and offer visa sponsorship (TN under USMCA, LMIA based work permits, or direct company sponsorship for U.S. H-2B/EB-3 routes). Below are ten…