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
Inventory-based businesses face a structural capital challenge: goods must be purchased before they can be sold. Seasonal businesses face this challenge acutely — holiday merchandise must be ordered in August, Diwali decorations in September, Chinese New Year goods in November. The capital required to stock inventory before the selling season revenue arrives can range from $30,000 for a small retailer to $2M for a mid-size distributor. H-1B business owners who cannot access bank lines of credit or SBA working capital loans (post-March 2026) need Bankable's revenue-based inventory financing.
| 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
Revenue-based funding that provides capital to purchase inventory before the sales revenue from that inventory arrives. Bankable funds the purchase against your historical sales patterns and supplier terms.
We analyze 3 to 6 months of sales history, inventory turn rates, gross margin, and seasonal patterns. A business with documented sales history and consistent inventory turns qualifies readily.
Yes. Amazon FBA, Shopify, Walmart Marketplace, and other ecommerce sellers with documented platform revenue qualify for inventory financing tranches.
Domestic suppliers typically offer net-30 to net-60. International manufacturers often require 30% deposit at order and 70% before shipment. Bankable funds both structures.
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.