Key Takeaways
- Required: SSN, government-issued photo ID, EIN, and 3-6 months of business bank statements
- Not required: Green card, visa stamp, I-94, USCIS documents, or citizenship proof
- Business bank statements are the most important document — they show Bankable your revenue directly
- Standard KYC (SSN + photo ID) satisfies all identity verification requirements
- Optional but helpful: Tax returns, business license, and lease agreement strengthen applications
What documents are needed for non-citizen business funding? The answer at Bankable is simpler than most non-citizen entrepreneurs expect — and meaningfully shorter than any traditional bank's checklist. Here is the complete document list, organized by required and helpful-but-optional:
Required Documents
| Document | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security Number (SSN) | Identity verification, credit pull, KYC | Any SSN from legal work authorization accepted |
| Government-Issued Photo ID | Identity confirmation | Passport (any country), state driver's license, or state ID accepted |
| EIN (Employer Identification Number) | Business identity, business credit pull | Obtainable at IRS.gov; no citizenship required |
| Business Bank Statements (3-6 months) | Revenue verification, underwriting basis | Business account strongly preferred over personal; PDF format accepted |
Helpful but Optional Documents
| Document | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Filed Tax Returns (Business) | Confirms revenue and expense history; shows legitimacy |
| Business License or Permit | Confirms legal business operation in your jurisdiction |
| Lease Agreement | Confirms business physical location and stability |
| Accounts Receivable Aging Report | Demonstrates revenue sources and billing health |
| Business Financial Statements (P&L, Balance Sheet) | Provides deeper revenue and expense analysis for larger funding requests |
Documents NOT Required
- Green card (permanent resident card)
- Visa stamp or approval notice from USCIS/DOS
- I-94 arrival/departure record
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) — though it may be shown as part of photo ID
- Proof of citizenship from any country
- Immigration court documents
Preparing Your Application
The fastest way to prepare is to gather your last 6 months of business bank statements in PDF format, have your SSN and EIN handy, and prepare a simple description of your business (what you sell, how long you've been operating, what you need the funding for). Most Bankable applications are submitted in under 15 minutes with these documents ready.
Check your Bankability Score first — it takes five minutes and tells you your funding range before you formally apply. No green card needed at any step in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Bankable does not require your visa stamp, I-94 arrival record, approval notices, or any other USCIS documents. Your SSN serves as identity verification. You will need a government-issued photo ID (passport, state-issued driver's license, or state ID) — your passport satisfies this even if it shows a visa.
Business bank account statements — not personal. If your business operates through a personal account (which we recommend against), personal statements may be reviewed, but a dedicated business account is strongly preferred. Bankable typically reviews 3-6 months of statements.
Filed tax returns are not required to apply, but they are a positive supporting document if available. Bankable's primary underwriting is based on bank statements rather than tax returns. Businesses that have not yet filed (typically newer businesses) can qualify based on banking history alone.
Business license is helpful but not strictly required in all jurisdictions. Bankable's team will work with your specific business type and state to determine what documentation is necessary. Some business types operate legally without formal licensing; others require it. The bank statements and EIN are more important than licensing in most cases.
Yes. A foreign passport is a valid government-issued photo ID for Bankable's identity verification. Many of our non-citizen applicants use their home country passports alongside their US SSN for the KYC process.