Key Takeaways
- SBA programs are fully closed to L-1 holders since March 2026 — plan accordingly
- Revenue-based financing from Bankable is the most accessible and fastest option for most L-1 businesses
- Equipment financing has the lowest effective rates because assets serve as collateral
- Invoice factoring requires no credit approval but is more expensive than revenue-based lending
- The best option depends on your use case, revenue history, and urgency
Finding the right funding option as an L-1 visa holder in 2026 requires navigating a landscape that changed dramatically in March when the SBA eliminated non-citizens from all its programs. This guide ranks your real options by cost, accessibility, and speed so you can make an informed decision without wasting time on products you cannot access.
Option 1: Revenue-Based Financing (Bankable) — Best Overall
Accessibility: High — no citizenship requirement, available to all visa holders with US business revenue. Speed: 48-hour approval, 5–15 day funding. Cost: Moderate — higher than SBA but lower than MCAs. Best for: Working capital, growth capital, payroll, marketing, general business expenses. Amount: $25K–$5M.
Option 2: Equipment Financing (Bankable) — Best Rate for Equipment
Accessibility: High — equipment serves as collateral, reducing credit requirements. Speed: 48-hour approval, 5–10 day funding. Cost: Lower than unsecured products due to collateral. Best for: Any equipment purchase from kitchen appliances to industrial machinery. Amount: $10K–$2M.
Option 3: Business Line of Credit (Bankable) — Best for Ongoing Needs
Accessibility: High for businesses with 6+ months of consistent revenue. Speed: 48-hour approval; draws within 24 hours once established. Cost: Interest on drawn balance only — most efficient for recurring needs. Best for: Payroll, inventory, vendor payments, cash flow management. Amount: $25K–$2M.
Option 4: Invoice Factoring — Best When Citizenship Is an Issue at Banks
Accessibility: Very high — approval based on client creditworthiness, not owner's immigration status. Speed: Same-day to 3 days. Cost: High — factoring fees of 1–5% per 30 days. Best for: B2B businesses with outstanding invoices from creditworthy clients. Amount: Based on outstanding receivables.
Option 5: CDFI Loans — Best If You Qualify for Mission-Driven Lending
Accessibility: Variable — depends on CDFI mission and geographic focus. Some CDFIs have no citizenship requirements. Speed: Slow — often 30–60 days. Cost: Low — below-market rates for qualifying borrowers. Best for: Small businesses in underserved communities, women/minority-owned businesses. Amount: Typically $10K–$250K.
Start your assessment at our Bankability Score tool and review our complete product lineup for detailed comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Revenue-based financing from Bankable is the most accessible and fastest option for most L-1 visa holders. It requires no citizenship, approves in 48 hours, and funds in 5–15 days. Equipment financing offers lower rates when you are purchasing a specific asset.
As of March 2026: all SBA programs (7(a), 504, Microloans), any bank loan that uses an SBA guarantee, and most traditional bank business loans that have citizenship requirements. This covers the majority of government-backed and bank-backed business lending.
Invoice factoring is highly accessible because approval is based on your clients' creditworthiness, not yours. If you have B2B invoices from creditworthy clients, factoring provides same-day access to a percentage of those receivables. It is expensive but accessible and requires no citizenship documentation.
Some CDFIs have no citizenship requirements and specifically serve immigrant entrepreneurs. Availability depends on your geographic area and the CDFI's mission focus. Rates are below-market but amounts are typically smaller ($10K–$250K) and approval timelines are longer (30–60 days).
Grants for immigrant entrepreneurs exist through some state economic development programs and private foundations, but they are rare, highly competitive, and typically small amounts ($5K–$50K). Business grants are not a reliable primary funding source for most L-1 holder business needs.
Bankable is more expensive than SBA loans (which are unavailable) but less expensive than merchant cash advances (MCAs) or payday-style business loans. Equipment financing through Bankable is lower-cost than unsecured working capital because of the collateral. The overall cost is moderate relative to the market for non-citizen borrowers.
Equity investment from a US citizen partner is an option but involves giving up business ownership, which has long-term costs and complications. It may also affect your L-1 visa if the investor takes a controlling role in the business. Debt financing preserves full ownership and is typically preferable unless you need equity capital for other strategic reasons.
Bankable does not have a fixed minimum credit score requirement. We evaluate overall business financial health, primarily through bank statement revenue. A lower personal credit score can be offset by strong business revenue. A very recent credit history (less than 2 years) is common among L-1 holders and is not disqualifying.
Yes. Many L-1 holders use a combination of funding types. For example: an equipment loan for a specific purchase, a working capital line for operating expenses, and invoice factoring for immediate receivables needs. Bankable can structure multiple products simultaneously or sequentially.
The right option depends on: what you need the funds for (specific asset vs. general operating expenses), how quickly you need the funds, your revenue history and consistency, the loan amount, and your tolerance for variable vs. fixed payments. Our Bankability Score tool provides personalized recommendations based on your actual situation.