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
Seasonality is one of the most predictable challenges in small business finance, and one of the most poorly served by traditional lenders. A summer resort restaurant generating $500,000 in June through August and $50,000 in December through February has a real business with real revenue — but its cash flow pattern looks terrifying to a bank underwriter who doesn't understand seasonal businesses. A landscaping company that generates 85% of its revenue April through November needs capital in February for equipment and crew preparation that won't be repaid until May. Bankable's underwriting team normalizes seasonal revenue patterns, evaluating businesses on their full annual revenue rather than their worst month.
| 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 normalizes seasonal revenue patterns in our underwriting. We evaluate trailing 12-month revenue rather than penalizing seasonal businesses for their slow months.
Apply during your peak season or just after, when your revenue history is strongest and your bank deposits are highest. This produces the best underwriting result.
Landscaping companies (spring/summer peak), restaurant businesses with seasonal tourist or holiday demand, retail businesses with Q4 holiday concentration, and agricultural businesses with harvest-season revenue.
Yes. Bankable's tranche structure functions similarly to a revolving credit line for seasonal businesses — draw during slow seasons, repay during peak revenue periods.
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.