Key Takeaways
- K-1 visa holders in New York are legally authorized to run businesses with a valid EAD
- SBA loans are unavailable to K-1 AOS holders statewide -- Bankable fills the gap
- Revenue-based funding up to $5M available to New York K-1 businesses in 48 hours
- New York City has the highest density of K-1 entrepreneurs of any US city, particularly in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx
- Bankable funds revenue, not immigration documents -- regardless of your state
K-1 visa holders in New York represent one of the most entrepreneurially active immigrant communities in the country. New York City has one of the densest K-1 visa populations in the world. Queens hosts K-1 communities from Colombia, Ecuador, China, Korea, Mexico, Jamaica, and Trinidad. Brooklyn's Latin American and Caribbean K-1 holders are highly entrepreneurial. Bankable provides revenue-based business funding for K-1 EAD holders throughout New York from $25K to $5M, with 48-hour decisions and no green card requirement.
Whether you are in New York City, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, or anywhere else in New York, the challenge is the same: banks require US credit history and green card status, and the SBA categorically excludes K-1 AOS holders. Bankable funds your business revenue directly.
The K-1 Funding Challenge
- Banks in New York systematically decline K-1 AOS holders for business loans
- SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans require US citizen or permanent resident ownership -- nationwide
- K-1 holders in New York often lack 2+ years of US business tax returns required by banks
- Alternative lenders in New York charge 40-80% APR -- Bankable is different
- K-1 holders who built business credit in their home countries cannot use it in the US
- K-1 holders moving to New York face the same SBA exclusion as anywhere in the US
Bankable Solutions for K-1 Business Owners
- Revenue-Based Funding ($25K-$5M): Funded based on your New York business revenue -- not your immigration document.
- Equipment Financing: Finance business equipment with assets as collateral. Available statewide.
- Working Capital Line: Revolving capital based on monthly revenue, grows as your business grows.
- Franchise Funding: Finance franchise purchases without SBA loan requirement.
- 48-Hour Decision: No more waiting weeks for bank decisions in New York. Bankable in 48 hours.
Why Banks Fail K-1 Entrepreneurs
Traditional banks evaluate business loan applications through a lens built for citizens and permanent residents. They demand two or more years of US tax returns, a Social Security number with a long credit history, and often require a green card or citizenship as an unstated condition. K-1 holders in the adjustment of status period rarely meet all these criteria simultaneously.
Bankable funds revenue, not immigration documents. Check your Bankability Score in 5 minutes with no hard credit pull. Explore SBA alternatives and revenue-based products.
Revenue-Based Funding
Up to $5M tied to your monthly business revenue. No green card required. 48-hour decision.
Apply Now →Equipment Financing
Asset-backed funding for K-1 business owners. Fast approval, EAD-eligible.
Learn More →Working Capital Bridge
Bridge cash flow gaps during AOS. Flexible repayment tied to your revenue.
Check Score →Frequently Asked Questions
New York's economy rewards entrepreneurship at every scale. The density of immigrant communities creates strong demand for businesses serving specific ethnic markets. Queens is a world capital of immigrant entrepreneurship.
Queens has the largest and most diverse K-1 business community. Colombian, Ecuadorian, Chinese, Korean, and Bangladeshi K-1 holders all have significant business communities there. Brooklyn's Latin American and Caribbean K-1 holders are active in beauty, food, and services.
K-1 business owners in New York are active in beauty salons, restaurants, construction, cleaning, childcare, home services, retail, and food trucks. The diversity of K-1 businesses mirrors the diversity of the K-1 population itself.
The SBA requires all 20%+ business owners to be US citizens or lawful permanent residents. This applies nationwide. K-1 holders in adjustment of status do not qualify for any SBA loan program regardless of state. Bankable's revenue-based funding fills this gap.
Bankable funds K-1 businesses from $25K to $5M. The amount depends on your monthly revenue. Most K-1 business owners access $50K-$500K in their first Bankable funding relationship.
Typically: 3-6 months of business bank statements, your EIN, proof of business ownership (LLC operating agreement), and your EAD card. Check your Bankability Score online in 5 minutes.
Bankable makes decisions within 48 hours of receiving complete documentation. Funding typically arrives within 3-5 business days -- far faster than any bank or SBA lender.
Yes. Bankable funds K-1 businesses in all 50 states. Whether you are in a major city or a rural area, your business revenue qualifies for Bankable funding.
Bankable's primary products are revenue-based working capital and equipment financing -- not commercial real estate mortgages. However, we can fund business operations that generate the revenue needed to qualify for commercial real estate financing separately.