Key Takeaways
- Working capital covers payroll, inventory, rent, and operational expenses — essential for any business
- Non-citizens with SSN qualify for Bankable's working capital products at equal terms to citizen-owned businesses
- Lines of credit from $25K-$250K and short-term advances from $25K-$500K available
- Revenue-based repayment aligns working capital repayment with cash flow seasonality
- DACA, H-1B, TPS, TN, EAD holders all served — no citizenship screen in working capital underwriting
Working capital for non-citizens addresses the most immediate and universal funding need in the non-citizen business community: the liquidity to cover day-to-day operations without disruption. Whether it is bridging the gap between invoice issuance and payment receipt, covering payroll during a slow period, purchasing seasonal inventory before peak season, or managing the 30-day lag between service delivery and client payment, working capital is the operational lifeblood of every business — and non-citizenship should never cut off access to it.
Working capital constraints are particularly acute for non-citizen businesses because their owners often have thinner US credit histories (even when their international credit is strong), face banking relationships that are more cautious due to citizenship status, and lack access to SBA-backed credit lines that citizen-owned businesses use to manage cash flow. Bankable's working capital products are designed specifically to close this gap.
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 |
Working Capital Use Cases for Non-Citizen Businesses
- Payroll bridging: Cover payroll during slow revenue months without disrupting operations
- Inventory purchasing: Buy seasonal inventory at optimal times regardless of current cash position
- Receivables bridging: Fund operations while waiting for net-30 or net-60 invoices to pay
- Rent and overhead coverage: Maintain lease obligations during revenue downturns
- Marketing investments: Fund campaigns that drive revenue growth
- Staff expansion: Hire ahead of revenue growth to capture business opportunities
Non-citizen business owners can access working capital through Bankable's Bankability Score assessment. Five minutes of input generates a personalized working capital recommendation — line of credit or advance, amount, and terms — based on your specific business metrics. No green card required. Decision in 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Working capital is the difference between current assets and current liabilities — the liquid funds a business needs to operate day-to-day. Non-citizens struggle to access it because most working capital products (lines of credit, short-term loans) carry citizenship or residency requirements. Bankable's working capital products have no such requirements.
A line of credit is a revolving facility — you draw up to your limit, repay, and redraw. Interest accrues only on outstanding balances. A working capital advance is a single lump sum that you repay over time. Lines of credit are more flexible; advances are simpler. Both are available to non-citizens through Bankable.
Bankable's working capital range is $25,000-$500,000 for advances and $25,000-$250,000 for revolving lines of credit. The appropriate amount depends on your monthly revenue (typically 1-2 months of average revenue) and your specific working capital needs.
Yes. Payroll is one of the most common and legitimate uses of business working capital. Bankable's products do not restrict the use of working capital beyond general business purposes. Payroll, rent, inventory, and operational expenses are all appropriate uses.