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
Marketing budget financing is one of the most commonly requested use cases from H-1B business owners at Bankable. The dynamic is consistent: an H-1B technology business generates $500,000 in annual revenue through referrals and LinkedIn outreach. A Google Ads campaign modeled to produce $1.2M in revenue for $80,000 in ad spend is sitting in the owner's business plan, waiting for capital. Banks decline because 'marketing spend doesn't produce collateral.' The SBA is closed to H-1B applicants. Bankable funds the $80,000 against the $500,000 in existing revenue, enabling the growth cycle.
| 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. Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and other digital marketing platforms are fully eligible uses for Bankable revenue-based tranches.
Digital advertising (PPC, social, display), trade show attendance and booth costs, branded content creation, influencer marketing, email marketing platforms, and business development salaries.
Marketing budget tranches typically range from $30,000 to $500,000, sized based on existing revenue and the ROAS (return on ad spend) model the business presents.
We don't require specific ROAS projections. We evaluate the existing business revenue and determine an appropriate tranche size based on the business's capacity to service repayment from existing and projected revenue.
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.