Key Takeaways
- L-1 holders running licensed construction companies qualify based on project revenue
- Equipment financing, bid bonds, and working capital between draws all eligible
- Construction's pay-when-paid cycle creates structural capital needs that Bankable addresses
- SBA closed to L-1 holders — Bankable is the primary revenue-based alternative
- Funding from $50K to $5M with 48-hour decisions
Construction is inherently capital-intensive at every phase. A general contractor must purchase materials before the project owner funds the draw. A subcontractor must carry labor and equipment costs for 30-60 days before receiving payment from the GC. A specialty contractor expanding from residential to commercial must demonstrate bonding capacity that requires substantial working capital reserves. At every step, capital access is the constraint — and for L-1 visa contractors, every traditional capital source adds a citizenship filter that eliminates them from consideration.
L-1 holders in construction most often arrive through two paths: multinational construction and engineering firms that transfer project managers or technical specialists to US project sites, or international property developers who established US subsidiaries to execute US-based development projects. Many of these operators become independent contractors within their specialty — structural engineering, HVAC installation, concrete work, electrical contracting — and build businesses that generate $500K to $5M annually.
Construction Capital for L-1 Holders
- Equipment financing: Excavators, boom lifts, skid steers, concrete mixers, and specialty construction equipment — asset-backed with the equipment as collateral
- Working capital for material purchases: Fund lumber, steel, concrete, and MEP materials before the project draw arrives
- Payroll bridge between draws: Construction labor runs weekly or bi-weekly; draws come monthly or milestone-based
- Bid bonds and performance bonds: Many public contracts require bonding — Bankable helps construction businesses establish the cash reserves that bond underwriters require
- Fleet and vehicle financing: Work trucks, vans, and specialty vehicles that a growing contractor fleet requires
See also equipment financing for L-1 holders or check your Bankability Score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. L-1 holders with a licensed construction company, EIN, SSN, contractor's license, and at least 6 months of documented project revenue qualify for Bankable funding. Green card is not required.
Yes. Excavators, boom lifts, concrete equipment, and specialty construction machinery qualify for asset-backed equipment financing. The equipment value serves as collateral, typically enabling 70-85% financing of the equipment's purchase price.
We provide working capital lines that bridge the gap between when you pay for materials and labor and when you receive your draw. The line is repaid when draws are funded and revolves throughout the project.
Yes. Project-specific financing against a signed contract is available. We evaluate the contract value, payment schedule, owner's creditworthiness, and your completion track record. Minimum contract value typically $250K.
Yes. An active state contractor's license in the jurisdiction where you operate is required. This validates that your business is legitimate and legally able to perform construction work.
Bonding requires working with a surety, which is separate from Bankable. However, Bankable can provide the working capital reserves that surety companies require to underwrite bonding for L-1 contractors.
Construction revenue is inherently lumpy — large projects come and go. Bankable analyzes your trailing 12-month revenue trend, current backlog, and pipeline rather than just recent bank statements to accommodate project-based seasonality.
Emergency working capital for urgent material purchases or payroll can be funded in 48-72 hours for qualified construction businesses with existing revenue history in our system. First-time applicants should expect 5-7 business days.