Key Takeaways
- Bankable explicitly does not require a green card, citizenship, or permanent residency
- J-1 holders qualify using their SSN (not ITIN), active EIN, and 3 months of business bank statements
- The only immigration document Bankable needs is a government-issued photo ID—a passport is accepted
- Bankable was designed specifically to serve the immigrant entrepreneur community excluded from SBA and bank loans
- 92% approval rate for J-1 applicants who meet the revenue and operating history requirements
The most common question from J-1 exchange visitors exploring business funding options is: “Do I need a green card?” For Bankable, the answer is unequivocally no. Bankable does not require a green card, lawful permanent residency, US citizenship, or any immigration status beyond a valid SSN. Our program was built from the ground up to serve the immigrant entrepreneur community—including J-1 holders—who are excluded from conventional bank credit and SBA programs.
What Bankable Does Require (and What It Doesn’t)
| Requirement | Required by Bankable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US Social Security Number (SSN) | Yes | J-1 holders with SSNs qualify—ITINs accepted in some cases |
| Federal EIN (Employer ID Number) | Yes | Your business must have a tax ID |
| 3 Months Business Bank Statements | Yes | Business checking account (not personal) |
| $10,000+ Monthly Revenue | Yes | Average over the 3-month window |
| Green Card / Permanent Residency | No | Explicitly not required |
| US Citizenship | No | Explicitly not required |
| US Business Credit Score | No | Not a hard cutoff—revenue is primary |
| Collateral (Real Estate) | No | General business lien only |
Why Bankable Doesn’t Require a Green Card
The conventional justification for requiring a green card is risk reduction—lenders assume that non-permanent residents are a flight risk. Bankable’s revenue-based model addresses this concern differently: instead of requiring permanent residency as a proxy for commitment, we evaluate actual business performance. A business generating consistent monthly revenue has demonstrated commitment more powerfully than any immigration document can.
Revenue-based repayment also eliminates the flight risk concern structurally: payments come automatically from your business bank deposits. If revenue continues (because the business continues operating), repayment continues. The business’s health—not the owner’s immigration status—determines repayment.
Start your no-green-card funding assessment with your Bankability Score. See how Bankable compares to other lenders in our capital comparison guide.
J-1 Holders Who Have Used Bankable’s Program
Bankable has funded J-1 entrepreneurs across industries including technology, healthcare, food service, retail, manufacturing, professional services, and construction. These individuals represent exchange visitor programs from universities, research institutions, government agencies, and private corporations. The common thread is not their visa category—it is that they built real businesses generating real revenue, and Bankable was the capital partner that recognized that performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bankable does not require a green card. J-1 holders, other nonimmigrant visa holders, and individuals with other legal immigration statuses can apply based on their business’s revenue performance.
No. Bankable does not restrict funding based on visa type. J-1, H-1B, O-1, L-1, E-2, TN, F-1 OPT, and other nonimmigrant visa holders can all apply based on their business’s revenue history.
We need a government-issued photo ID (your foreign passport is accepted), your SSN, and your EIN confirmation letter from the IRS. We do not need your green card, visa stamp, I-551 (green card), or I-94 records.
No. We do not query USCIS databases or perform immigration status checks. We verify identity using your SSN (matched against IRS records) and a photo ID. Immigration status is not part of our underwriting algorithm.
Yes. We evaluate your business’s operating status, not the exact current state of your visa timing. As long as your business has a valid EIN and revenue history, the 30-day J-1 grace period does not disqualify you.
No. Bankable treats your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. We do not report to USCIS or ICE. We do report to credit bureaus (D&B, Equifax Business) for business credit purposes, but these are not immigration enforcement agencies.
Yes. If your business is still operating and generating revenue after your J-1 program ends, you can apply for Bankable funding. The relevant question is your business’s operating status, not your J-1 program timeline.
No. Bankable does not require a US citizen or permanent resident cosigner. Your qualifying business revenue is sufficient security for our program.
Bankable strongly prefers SSN-based applications because SSNs allow IRS identity verification. J-1 holders who have received SSNs should use them. ITIN-only applicants may be handled on a case-by-case basis—contact our team to discuss your specific situation.
No. Visa status is not a factor in Bankable’s underwriting decision. Denials are based on business performance criteria: insufficient revenue (under $10K/month), less than 3 months of operating history, or negative bank statement patterns that indicate business distress.