Key Takeaways
- Bankable does not require a green card, permanent residency, or US citizenship at any step of the process
- L-1A, L-1B, H-1B, O-1, and other work visa holders all qualify based on US business revenue
- An SSN is the only personal identification requirement — ITIN holders may also qualify
- Your visa's expiration date does not determine your loan term or maximum borrowing amount
- Revenue is the qualification criterion — nothing else
The question is asked so frequently that it warrants a direct, unambiguous answer: Bankable does not require a green card. We do not require permanent residency. We do not require US citizenship. We do not require a specific visa category, a specific visa duration, or any assurance about your future immigration status. If your US business generates consistent revenue and you have a Social Security Number, you can apply for financing at Bankable.
This is a deliberate design choice, not an oversight. Bankable was built specifically to serve the segment of US business owners who are excluded from traditional bank and SBA financing because of their immigration status. The L-1 visa holder who built a thriving US business over five years and now needs $500,000 to expand should not be turned away because they do not yet have a green card. That is the problem Bankable solves.
What Bankable Actually Requires
Our requirements are simple and focused entirely on your business's ability to repay. We need: (1) a US business entity — LLC, S-corp, C-corp, or sole proprietorship; (2) a US business bank account with documented revenue for the past 6–12 months; (3) a Social Security Number for identity verification (ITIN may suffice for some products); and (4) a personal guarantee from the business owner. That is the complete list. No immigration documents. No green card application status. No visa expiration disclosure beyond what is standard for identity verification.
Why Banks and the SBA Require Citizenship
Traditional banks that offer SBA-backed loans must follow SBA program rules, which since March 2026 require 100% US citizen or national ownership. Banks also face regulatory requirements around customer due diligence that create friction for non-citizen borrowers. These are structural features of the bank and SBA regulatory environment — not universal lending principles. Private lenders like Bankable are not subject to these requirements and can underwrite based purely on business merit.
Immigration-Agnostic Underwriting
Our underwriting team evaluates applications without any weight given to immigration status. Two applications that are identical in business revenue, industry, cash flow history, and personal guarantee strength will receive identical underwriting outcomes regardless of whether one applicant has a green card and one has an L-1 visa. Visit our Bankability Score tool to assess your eligibility in under 10 minutes, and review all our financing products to find the best fit for your business needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Bankable does not require a green card, permanent residency, or US citizenship at any step of the application or approval process. We fund based on business revenue and repayment capacity.
Bankable does not require immigration documents as part of the loan application. We require identity verification (which an SSN satisfies) and business documentation. Visa status, green card applications, or immigration history are not part of our underwriting.
You do not need to disclose your visa type or status as part of the loan application. Basic identity verification using your SSN is required, but immigration status is not a factor in our underwriting decisions.
Yes. The status of your green card application does not affect your eligibility or terms at Bankable. We evaluate the business's current revenue and repayment capacity, not your future immigration plans.
Bankable does not use visa expiration dates to cap loan terms or amounts. We focus on the business's revenue and repayment capacity. However, we do recommend maintaining valid immigration status throughout any loan term, as business operations depend on your legal authorization to work in the US.
Bankable can fund business owners on most work visa categories including L-1A, L-1B, H-1B, O-1, TN, and E-2. Tourist visas (B-1/B-2) do not authorize business operations, so business loans for B-visa holders are not available. We evaluate each case individually.
Green card status does not improve or worsen your approval chances at Bankable. Our underwriting is revenue-based. A business with strong revenue and a visa holder owner will be treated identically to a comparable business with a green card holder owner.
Non-resident aliens who operate US businesses through properly established entities may qualify. The business must have a US bank account, an EIN, and documentable US revenue. Individual eligibility varies and is evaluated case by case.
An SSN is the primary identification requirement. ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) may qualify for some Bankable products. If you have an ITIN but not an SSN, contact us before applying to confirm which products are available to you.
Banks that offer SBA-backed loans must comply with SBA citizenship requirements. Many banks also apply their own internal policies that go beyond SBA requirements. Bankable is a private lender that does not use SBA guarantees and is not subject to these requirements.