Key Takeaways
- Construction companies face 60 to 90-day payment cycles while materials, labor, and equipment costs are due immediately
- H-1B construction owners access up to $5M through Bankable with no green card or citizenship requirement
- The March 2026 SBA rule eliminated SBA 7(a) and 504 access for all H-1B-owned construction companies
- Bankable underwrites based on contract backlog, payment history, and revenue consistency — not immigration status
- Start your Bankability Assessment in 30 seconds — no SSN upload required
The US construction industry employs over 8 million workers and generates $1.9 trillion in annual output. It is also one of the most capital-intensive industries in the American economy. A single mid-size commercial contract requires a general contractor to front $200,000 to $800,000 in materials, subcontractor deposits, equipment rental, and labor costs — months before the owner pays the first draw. The working capital gap in construction is not a minor inconvenience; it is the defining business challenge of the sector.
Among the most entrepreneurially active H-1B communities in construction are Indian civil engineers who transitioned from large EPC firms to their own subcontracting businesses, Chinese-American developers who built residential construction companies from single-family to multi-family projects, and mechanical and electrical contractors who leveraged H-1B specialty knowledge into full contracting firms. The March 2026 SBA rule change stripped all of them of access to SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, which were the primary long-term financing tools for equipment and business acquisition in construction.
Bankable evaluates construction companies on signed contract backlog, historical payment performance, lien waiver documentation, and revenue trajectory. A contractor with $2M in signed backlog and consistent monthly draws has the revenue profile Bankable funds. Citizenship papers are irrelevant.
How H-1B Construction Companies Use Bankable Capital
- Materials Pre-Purchase: Lock in lumber, steel, concrete, and specialty materials before price escalations. Bankable tranches fund bulk procurement that saves 8 to 15% on material costs.
- Payroll Bridge Financing: Field crews must be paid weekly regardless of owner draw schedules. Bankable ensures payroll continuity across payment cycles.
- Equipment Down Payments: Excavators, cranes, concrete equipment, and lifting gear represent $150,000 to $500,000+ in capital. Bankable funds down payments and operating reserves for equipment acquisition.
- Bonding Capacity Support: Performance and payment bonds require demonstrated liquidity. Bankable funding improves balance sheet positioning for larger bonding capacity.
- Subcontractor Deposits: Specialty subcontractors often require 10 to 20% deposits before mobilization. Bankable funds the sub deposit chain for large general contracts.
- Business Acquisition Capital: Acquiring an established construction firm with existing licenses, crews, and equipment is often more efficient than organic growth. Bankable funds acquisition tranches.
H-1B Construction Funding vs. Traditional Sources
| 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 construction-specific lending context, visit our industry pages. For a full breakdown of what the SBA 7(a) offered before March 2026, see our SBA 7(a) overview. And if you have already been rejected by an SBA lender, see our guide on what to do after an SBA rejection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bankable funds construction companies based on contract backlog, payment history, and revenue. No green card or citizenship is required.
The SBA now requires 100% US citizen ownership for 7(a) and 504 loans. H-1B construction company owners — regardless of years in business or revenue — are no longer eligible.
Materials procurement, payroll bridge financing, equipment down payments, bonding capacity support, subcontractor deposits, and business acquisition capital.
We analyze signed contract backlog, historical payment draw schedules, lien documentation, and 3 to 6 months of bank deposits. Revenue consistency and backlog depth are primary underwriting factors.
Minimum $15,000/month in documented revenue. General contractors with $500K or more in annual revenue typically access tranches of $100K to $1M. Larger firms with multi-million dollar backlogs qualify for higher tranches.
No. Bankable has zero residency requirements. H-1B holders, L-1 visa holders, O-1 visa holders, and other work visa categories all qualify for funding assessment based on business revenue alone.
Effective March 1, 2026, the SBA amended its rules to require 100% US citizen or national ownership for all 7(a) and 504 loan programs. H-1B holders are no longer eligible for any SBA-backed financing.
48-hour decision timeline from completed application. Funds typically wire within 3 to 5 business days of approval. The Bankability Assessment at our site gives you a preliminary range in 30 seconds.
Bankable requires a minimum of $15,000 per month in documented business revenue. Three to six months of bank statements demonstrating consistent deposits are the primary underwriting input.
Yes. Bankable's tranche-based funding model scales to $5M based on revenue trajectory. Initial tranches are sized conservatively and increase as the business demonstrates consistent revenue performance.