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
Equipment financing is one of the most essential capital needs for H-1B business owners across virtually every industry. A restaurant needs commercial kitchen equipment. A medical practice needs diagnostic imaging. A manufacturing company needs CNC machines. A trucking operator needs vehicles. Traditional equipment lenders often require permanent residency or citizenship for equipment loans above $50,000 — and the SBA 504 program, which offered 10 to 20 year equipment loans at favorable rates, is now fully closed to H-1B holders. Bankable funds equipment acquisition as part of revenue-based tranches without residency requirements.
| 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
Yes. Bankable funds equipment purchases for H-1B business owners based on business revenue. Traditional equipment lenders often require permanent residency — Bankable does not.
Commercial kitchen equipment, medical devices and diagnostic systems, manufacturing and industrial machinery, construction equipment, trucking and commercial vehicles, IT hardware, and specialty trade tools.
Up to $5M in tranche-based funding. Equipment purchases of $50,000 to $2M are common in our H-1B equipment portfolio.
Bankable's funding is revenue-based rather than asset-collateral-based. We evaluate the business's revenue capacity rather than the equipment's liquidation value.
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.