Key Takeaways
- Construction contract revenue — not visa status — drives Bankable approval
- Fund equipment, bonding support, and working capital between project draws
- SBA construction loans now require 100% citizen ownership — Bankable fills the gap
- F-1 engineers with global project experience have competitive advantages
- 48-hour decisions for construction businesses with $25K+ monthly contract revenue
Civil engineering, construction management, and architecture graduates on F-1 OPT are launching general contracting and specialty trade businesses that serve residential, commercial, and infrastructure markets. These founders bring global construction standards knowledge, multilingual project management capabilities, and often direct relationships with international material suppliers — competitive advantages in an industry facing chronic labor and material supply challenges.
Construction businesses need capital for equipment, bonding, and working capital between project draws. Traditional lenders require permanent residency. Bankable evaluates your contract revenue and project pipeline — not your immigration status.
Construction Capital Use Cases for OPT Founders
- Equipment acquisition: Excavators, lifts, concrete mixers, and specialty tools with asset-backed financing
- Bonding support: Working capital that strengthens balance sheets for bonding capacity
- Bridge capital between draws: Most construction projects pay in milestone draws — Bankable bridges the gaps
- Material pre-purchase: Lock in lumber, steel, or specialty material prices before project start
- Payroll for project crews: Fund weekly payroll even when draw timing is delayed
Equipment Financing
Construction equipment with the asset as collateral. Lower rates than unsecured capital.
Explore →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Since March 2026, SBA loans require 100% US citizen or national ownership. All F-1 OPT and STEM OPT founders are disqualified from SBA 7(a) and 504 programs. Bankable is a non-SBA lender — our approval is entirely revenue-based, with no citizenship requirement.
No. Bankable does not evaluate immigration status. We fund US-registered business entities based on their revenue. F-1 OPT and STEM OPT founders qualify on the same terms as any other business owner.
Your business entity continues operating and servicing the funding regardless of your personal immigration status. Bankable funds the LLC or corporation, not the individual. Immigration transitions — H-1B, O-1, departure — do not affect the business's obligation or ability to operate.
General contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC companies, specialty trades, civil contractors, and construction management firms with documented project revenue all qualify.
Working capital lines and term advances bridge the period between milestone completion and draw receipt. We structure funding specifically around construction's payment cycle.
Bankable provides working capital that strengthens your balance sheet, which directly improves bonding capacity. We do not provide surety bonds directly, but capital adequacy is the primary bonding qualifier.
$25,000+ in monthly contract revenue with 6+ months of operating history. Contractors with long-term project contracts can qualify even at lower monthly averages during slow periods.
No. Bankable's equipment financing evaluates the equipment value and business revenue — not the founder's immigration status.