Key Takeaways
- Traditional bank business lines of credit require permanent residence — asylees are excluded
- Bankable's revolving working capital functions like a line of credit — no green card required
- Draw, repay, and redraw as your business needs evolve
- Revenue-based structure means repayment flexes with your actual business
- 48-hour decisions for qualified asylee businesses
A business line of credit is the most flexible financial tool available to a business — and it has been almost entirely inaccessible to asylee entrepreneurs through traditional banks. Banks require permanent residence for business credit lines. The 2026 SBA citizenship rule closes the SBA Export Working Capital Program and SBA CAPLine programs. What remains is Bankable's revolving working capital structure, which provides the same flexibility without the immigration requirement.
What a Business Line of Credit Provides
Unlike a one-time loan, a line of credit provides a credit limit against which you can draw repeatedly. You draw what you need, repay it, and draw again — without a new application each time. For a cleaning company that needs $15,000 every month to cover payroll before client invoices clear, a revolving line means drawing in the first week of the month and repaying when invoices are paid — continuously, month after month, without going through a new application cycle.
Bankable's Revolving Working Capital vs. a Traditional Line of Credit
| Feature | Traditional Bank LOC | Bankable Revolving Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration requirement | Permanent residence required | EAD accepted |
| Approval time | 4-8 weeks | 48 hours |
| Credit limit | Based on assets and credit | Based on revenue |
| Repayment | Fixed minimum monthly payment | Percentage of revenue |
| Annual fee | Typically $0-$500/year | No annual fee; factor rate per draw |
| Collateral | Often required | Not required |
Building Toward a Traditional Line of Credit
Use Bankable's revolving capital while your business grows and while you navigate the immigration process. Once you receive permanent residence (green card), begin building a relationship with a traditional bank — open accounts, deposit consistently, and apply for a business line of credit after 12-24 months of banking history. The goal is to transition to lower-cost traditional financing as your immigration status normalizes.
Qualification for Bankable's Revolving Capital
Minimum: $15,000/month in business revenue, 12 months operating history, US entity, EAD. The revolving feature activates after one completed repayment cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional bank business lines of credit require permanent residence. Bankable's revolving working capital provides the same draw-repay-redraw flexibility without a green card requirement.
The primary differences: Bankable requires EAD instead of permanent residence; repayment is revenue-based (percentage of deposits) instead of fixed minimum payments; approval takes 48 hours instead of 4-8 weeks.
$15,000/month, 12 months operating, US entity, EAD.
Yes. After your initial advance, you can draw multiple times within your approved credit limit without a new application — once you've repaid enough to have available capacity.
No annual fee. Bankable charges a factor rate on each draw. Your cost is transparent and proportional to what you borrow.
Based on your monthly revenue. Most businesses qualify for a credit limit of 1-2x their monthly revenue.
Yes. As your revenue grows and you demonstrate responsible use, your credit limit can increase through a review process.
After receiving permanent residence, build a 12-24 month banking relationship with a traditional bank and then apply for a business line of credit. Traditional rates are lower — the transition is worth pursuing once immigration status allows.