E-3 Visa: Buying an Existing US Business

Buying an existing profitable business is often the smartest path for E-3 holders — you acquire immediate revenue, established customer relationships, trained staff, and operational infrastructure. The learning curve is compressed, and the risk profile is significantly lower than starting from scratch.

SBA 7(a) business acquisition loans — the standard mechanism for buying businesses in the US — are categorically unavailable to E-3 holders. Bankable fills this gap with acquisition-aware underwriting based on the target business's historical revenue. We evaluate what the business currently generates, not what you project it might generate after you take over. No SBA, no green card required.

The E-3 Funding Barrier

The SBA's 100% citizen/national ownership rule disqualifies every E-3 holder from government-backed loans — regardless of how long you've been in the US, how profitable your business is, or how strong your credit score is. Banks that primarily originate SBA loans have no viable product to offer you. That's not a reflection of your business quality; it's a policy gap that Bankable was built to bridge.

Revenue-based funding through Bankable requires no green card, no citizenship, and no SBA involvement. What matters: your business generates consistent revenue, has been operating for at least 6 months, and has a US business bank account. That's the core of what we evaluate. Check your Bankability Score to see your options in minutes.

Challenges in This Sector

• SBA 7(a) business acquisition loans require 100% US citizen/national ownership — unavailable to E-3 holders
• Business acquisitions require due diligence: financial statements, tax returns, customer contracts
• Business valuation is subjective and requires professional assessment
• Seller may expect all-cash or majority-cash at closing
• Transition period requires the seller's cooperation for knowledge transfer
• Working capital for business operations post-acquisition is a separate capital need

Funding Solutions for E-3 Holders

• Acquisition Funding: Up to $5M against the target business's historical revenue.
• Seller Financing Combined: Bankable acquisition capital combined with seller-carry financing can bridge purchase price gaps.
• Post-Acquisition Working Capital: Separate working capital for operational continuity post-acquisition.
• Due Diligence Support: Bankable can review target business financials as part of our underwriting process.
• Earnout Structures: Some acquisitions can be structured with earnout components to reduce upfront capital requirements.

Due Diligence for E-3 Acquisition Candidates

When evaluating a business to acquire, focus on: (1) verified revenue history (3 years of tax returns, bank statements, and POS/system data), (2) customer concentration (beware of single-client dependencies), (3) lease terms (is the landlord willing to transfer the lease to you), (4) staff retention (key staff willing to stay post-acquisition), (5) reason for sale (sellers who are retiring or moving are better counterparties than sellers fleeing problems).

Bankable's underwriting team will review the target's bank statements and financials as part of your acquisition funding application. We evaluate the business's actual performance — not pro forma projections.

Capital Products Available