Key Takeaways
- H-1B holders can accomplish this business goal — with appropriate legal structure and capital from Bankable
- The SBA's March 2026 citizenship rule eliminated H-1B access to the most common funding sources for this use case
- Bankable funds H-1B businesses up to $5M based on revenue alone — no green card, no citizenship test
- 48-hour funding decisions — built for business timelines, not government bureaucracy
- Check your Bankability Score in 30 seconds — no SSN upload required
Acquiring an existing business is fundamentally different from starting one. You are buying documented revenue, established customer relationships, trained employees, and operational infrastructure. For H-1B holders, this approach to business ownership carries significant appeal: the business has a track record that makes underwriting straightforward, and established revenue means the passive ownership framework is already in place. The challenge is that business acquisition requires significant capital — typically 2 to 4 times annual seller discretionary earnings — that banks and the SBA no longer provide to H-1B buyers. Bankable fills this gap.
| Funding Source | H-1B Eligible? | Max Amount | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) — March 2026+ | No — US citizens only | $5M | 30–90 days |
| Traditional Banks | Rarely | Varies | 3–6 weeks |
| Bankable | Always yes | $5M | 48 hours |
For industry-specific context, explore our H-1B funding hub. For the full SBA alternative landscape, see our SBA alternative guide. And start with your Bankability Assessment to see your preliminary funding range in 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally yes, as passive investors. H-1B holders can acquire equity in existing businesses without violating H-1B status, provided they are not engaged in unauthorized active employment at the acquired business.
It should not, if structured as passive ownership with hired management. However, H-1B business owners should work with immigration counsel to review the specific acquisition structure before closing.
We analyze the target business's revenue history (typically 2 to 3 years of financials), the acquisition purchase price relative to revenue multiples, and your existing liquid capital contribution.
IT consulting firms (book of business acquisition), restaurants and food service businesses, retail stores, medical and dental practices, professional service firms, and franchise units.
Yes. SBA 7(a) business acquisition loans, which were the primary financing vehicle for small business acquisitions, are now fully closed to H-1B buyers under the March 2026 citizenship rule.
No. Bankable has zero residency requirements. H-1B, L-1, O-1, and other work visa holders all qualify for funding assessment based on business revenue alone.
Effective March 1, 2026, the SBA requires 100% US citizen or national ownership for all 7(a) and 504 programs. H-1B holders are completely excluded regardless of revenue or credit history.
48 hours from completed application. The Bankability Assessment at /bankability-score/ takes 30 seconds and gives a preliminary range immediately.