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
The transition from solo operation to first employee is the most capital-intensive moment in a small business's lifecycle. You need 3 to 6 months of salary in reserve before you can confidently make the hire. That's $15,000 to $60,000 in payroll capital for a part-time hire, and $25,000 to $120,000 for a full-time first employee. For H-1B business owners whose banks have denied working capital lines based on visa status, Bankable's revenue-based funding provides this critical bridge capital.
| 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. H-1B holders who own businesses can hire US citizen and permanent resident employees. The H-1B holder is the employer, not the employee, of their business entity.
This depends on the business structure and immigration counsel's guidance. H-1B holders who are passive investors should not take W-2 salaries from their businesses without immigration attorney review.
Bankable provides working capital tranches that can be used for payroll expansion — funding the 60 to 90 day period before new hires' productivity generates incremental revenue.
Salary, payroll taxes (7.65% employer share), benefits, onboarding, and training typically run 115 to 130% of base salary in total cost. A $60,000/year employee costs $69,000 to $78,000 annually in total employer cost.
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.