Key Takeaways
- Any valid SSN from legal work authorization qualifies — H-1B, DACA, TN, L-1, O-1, EAD holders all eligible
- March 1, 2026: SBA permanently eliminated all non-citizens from 7(a) and 504 programs
- Bankable funds up to $5M with 48-hour decisions — no green card, no citizenship required
- Revenue-based repayment flexes with your cash flow — lower payments when revenue dips
- Over 4 million US workers hold SSNs with work authorization but no permanent residency
Business funding with SSN and no green card is now the primary path for millions of entrepreneurs who built their American businesses on work visas, DACA protections, temporary protected status, or employment authorization documents. As of March 1, 2026, the SBA categorically closed its doors to non-citizens — but Bankable opened a wider one.
The United States has more than 4 million workers with valid Social Security Numbers and legal work authorization who do not hold green cards or citizenship. This population includes approximately 600,000 H-1B specialty occupation workers, 580,000 DACA recipients, 700,000 TPS holders, 1.5 million AOS EAD holders, and hundreds of thousands of TN, L-1, O-1, E-2, H-4, and F-1 OPT workers. Many are business owners. All of them deserve access to capital.
Why the March 1, 2026 SBA Rule Matters
On March 1, 2026, the Small Business Administration finalized a sweeping eligibility change: all SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loan applicants must now be US citizens or US nationals. Previously, permanent residents (green card holders) were eligible. Non-immigrant visa holders were already excluded. But the 2026 rule eliminated even green card holders — a stunning reversal that has disrupted lending for immigrant entrepreneurs across America.
For non-citizen business owners — those on H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-2, DACA, TPS, asylum status, or any other non-immigrant or protected status — the SBA option never existed meaningfully. Now even their greencard-holding peers are shut out. The private market must fill this gap, and Bankable was built to do exactly that.
SBA Loans vs. Traditional Banks vs. Bankable
The March 1, 2026 SBA rule change eliminated all non-citizen, non-national applicants from SBA 7(a) and 504 programs. Here is how your options compare:
| Factor | SBA 7(a) (Pre-2026) | Traditional Bank | Bankable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Card Required? | No (changed Mar 1, 2026) | Usually yes | Never |
| Citizenship Required? | Yes (as of Mar 1, 2026) | Sometimes | No |
| SSN Accepted? | N/A (citizenship required) | Rarely alone | Yes — primary requirement |
| Decision Speed | 30-90 days | 30-60 days | 48 hours |
| Max Funding | $5M (if eligible) | Varies | Up to $5M |
| Collateral | Required | Required | Revenue-based, minimal |
| Min. Revenue | Varies | $500K+ | $120K annual |
How Bankable's SSN-Based Funding Works
Bankable evaluates business funding applications based on three core factors: your monthly revenue, your time in business, and the health of your business bank account. Your immigration status, visa category, or lack of green card is not a factor in our underwriting. What matters is that your business is real, generating revenue, and operating legally in the United States.
The process begins with your Bankability Score — a proprietary assessment that evaluates your funding readiness based on business metrics. Once assessed, Bankable structures a tranche of capital appropriate to your revenue profile, with repayment terms that flex with your cash flow. You repay as a percentage of revenue rather than a fixed monthly payment, which means your obligation drops during slower months.
Who Qualifies for SSN Business Funding
- H-1B visa holders running consulting firms, tech agencies, or specialty businesses
- DACA recipients with established restaurants, retail shops, or service businesses
- TN visa holders (Canadian and Mexican professionals) operating in their fields
- L-1 visa holders managing US operations of international businesses
- O-1 visa holders — artists, athletes, entertainers with business ventures
- E-2 treaty investor visa holders already running treaty-qualifying businesses
- F-1 OPT and STEM OPT holders running eligible startup ventures
- TPS and asylee/asylum holders with active US businesses
- H-4 EAD holders who have launched independent businesses
- AOS EAD holders awaiting green card approval while running businesses
Minimum Requirements
- Valid US Social Security Number (from legal work authorization)
- Business operating in the United States for at least 6 months
- Minimum $10,000 in monthly business revenue ($120,000 annual)
- Active US business bank account
- Personal credit score of 580 or higher (revenue can compensate)
Funding Products Available Without a Green Card
Bankable structures capital across several product types, all available to SSN holders without green card requirements:
- Revenue-Based Financing: $25K-$500K with flexible repayment tied to daily revenue
- Business Term Loans: $50K-$2M with fixed terms for growth investment
- Business Lines of Credit: Revolving $25K-$250K for working capital management
- Equipment Financing: Asset-backed funding for machinery, vehicles, and technology
- Large Tranche Funding: $2M-$5M for established businesses with strong revenue
Start with your Bankability Score to understand which product fits your business best. The assessment takes under five minutes and provides personalized funding guidance based on your actual business metrics.
For questions about the SBA 7(a) program and why it no longer applies to non-citizens, our team explains the 2026 changes in detail and helps you find the best alternative for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bankable specifically funds businesses where the owner holds a valid SSN from legal work authorization — regardless of whether they have a green card or citizenship. Your business revenue and time in operation matter more than your immigration status.
The SBA implemented a rule requiring all 7(a) and 504 loan applicants to be US citizens or nationals. This permanently eliminated H-1B holders, DACA recipients, TN workers, L-1 visa holders, EAD holders, and millions of others from SBA funding.
All of them — H-1B, H-4 EAD, L-1, O-1, TN, E-2, E-1, F-1 OPT, STEM OPT, DACA, TPS, asylum, AOS EAD holders, and any other category that grants a valid SSN and legal work authorization in the US.
Bankable offers revenue-based funding from $25,000 to $5,000,000. The amount depends on your monthly revenue, time in business, and industry — not your immigration status.
Most applicants receive a funding decision within 48 hours of submitting their application. Funding can arrive in your business bank account within 3-5 business days after approval.
Bankable uses a revenue-based model, meaning repayment is tied to a percentage of your daily or monthly revenue. Heavy collateral requirements are not the primary factor — your business cash flow is.
Typically: valid government-issued ID (passport or state ID), your EIN (Employer Identification Number), 3-6 months of business bank statements, and proof of work authorization (your SSN documentation). No green card documentation is required.
Bankable is a funding platform that connects non-citizen business owners with appropriate capital solutions, including revenue-based financing, business lines of credit, and equipment financing — all without residency requirements.
All industries — restaurants, construction, trucking, healthcare, retail, ecommerce, tech startups, consulting, landscaping, cleaning services, and more. Sector matters far less than your revenue history.
While credit matters, Bankable's primary qualification factor is revenue. Business owners with 580+ personal credit and $10,000+ in monthly revenue commonly qualify. Higher revenue can offset lower credit in many cases.