Key Takeaways
- Core requirements: valid E-1 visa + I-94, US Social Security Number, business EIN, 6 months of business bank statements
- Minimum revenue threshold: $10,000/month average for most advance types; higher amounts require proportionally higher revenue
- No green card, no permanent residency, no citizenship documentation required — ever
- Credit score is evaluated but not the primary factor — strong business revenue can offset limited US credit history
- Pre-revenue E-1 startups can qualify for $25K-$150K based on business plan, treaty country history, and projected revenue
Every E-1 Treaty Trader who applies for Bankable funding wants to know the same thing: do I qualify, and if so, for how much? This page answers both questions directly with Bankable's complete 2026 qualification criteria — no ambiguity, no hidden requirements, no surprises at application time.
Bankable's Complete E-1 Qualification Criteria (2026)
Required Documents (All Applicants)
| Requirement | Minimum Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E-1 visa | Current, unexpired | I-94 must confirm current authorized status |
| Social Security Number | Valid US SSN | Required for identity verification |
| Business EIN | Active US EIN | Separate from personal SSN |
| Business bank statements | 6 months minimum | Official PDF, not screenshots |
| Business formation documents | LLC articles or corp charter | Shows legal structure and your ownership |
| Business address | US business location | Can be shared workspace for service businesses |
Revenue Thresholds by Advance Size
| Advance Amount | Min Monthly Revenue | Operating History |
|---|---|---|
| $25K – $100K | $10,000/month | 3+ months |
| $100K – $500K | $50,000/month | 6+ months |
| $500K – $1.5M | $150,000/month | 12+ months |
| $1.5M – $5M | $400,000/month | 18+ months |
What Bankable Does Not Require in 2026
- Green card or permanent residency — not required, not a factor
- US citizenship — categorically not required
- Two years of US tax returns — not required for amounts under $500K
- Real estate collateral — not required; general business lien only
- US citizen co-signer — not required
- SBA eligibility — not required; Bankable is not an SBA lender
- Minimum credit score — evaluated but no hard cutoff; strong revenue offsets limited credit history
The Bankability Score: Your Starting Point
Before submitting a full application, completing a Bankability Score assessment takes 5 minutes and gives you a personalized funding range based on your specific revenue, history, and funding need. This step eliminates uncertainty about whether you qualify and for how much before you invest time in the full application. It does not affect your credit score and requires no commitment. Also review non-SBA funding alternatives for E-1 Treaty Traders for additional context on 2026 qualification landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum average monthly revenue for most Bankable advances is $10,000/month, which supports advances in the $25,000-$50,000 range. Higher advances require proportionally higher monthly revenue. Pre-revenue businesses can access limited funding ($25K-$75K) based on business plan quality and projected revenue.
Time in the US affects qualification primarily through the operating history of your US business. Personal time in the US is less relevant than business operating history. An E-1 holder who arrived 3 years ago but only started their US business 6 months ago has 6 months of relevant business history for underwriting purposes.
Declining revenue is a qualification risk factor. Bankable evaluates revenue trend direction alongside absolute amount. A business in significant revenue decline may be declined or offered a reduced amount pending stabilization. A business with a temporary revenue dip that is clearly recovering is evaluated more favorably.
Bankable does not have a hard minimum credit score. However, credit scores below 550 are associated with significantly higher decline rates. Scores above 650 are associated with higher approval rates and better factor rates. E-1 holders with limited US credit history (common among recent treaty trader arrivals) should indicate this in their application — international credit references can supplement limited US history.
No. Bankable funds businesses with multiple owners including E-1 visa holders who own less than 100%. The primary requirement is that the E-1 holder signing the application is an authorized representative of the business entity with ownership interest. Partial ownership is fully acceptable.
Yes. A business with an E-1 holder and a US citizen as co-owners fully qualifies for Bankable funding. Both owners' information will be collected during the application. Note: this business structure does NOT qualify for SBA loans (which require 100% citizen ownership), but it is fully eligible for Bankable.
Existing business debt is disclosed in the application and factored into underwriting. Bankable evaluates total debt service as a percentage of monthly revenue — if existing loan payments plus projected Bankable payments remain below 35-40% of monthly revenue, qualification is generally unaffected.
Sole proprietorships can qualify, but Bankable strongly recommends establishing an LLC or corporation before applying. The legal protection of a separate business entity, combined with a business EIN and dedicated business bank account, provides both stronger qualification and better personal liability protection. Bankable can fund sole proprietors, but the approval is more conditional.
Bankable does not fund businesses in cannabis, adult entertainment, speculative real estate investment, or certain regulated financial services. All other legitimate industries — including all common E-1 treaty commerce categories such as import/export, retail, professional services, food, manufacturing, and technology — are eligible.
Strongest approval factors: consistent monthly revenue above $50,000, 12+ months of US operating history, clear use of funds with documented business purpose, credit score above 650, and no recent negative payment history with other creditors. Treaty country business documentation (contracts, invoices, supplier relationships) also supports the application narrative.