Key Takeaways
- Bankable does not require a green card — full stop
- O-1 visa is accepted as valid identification for all Bankable products
- Revenue is the only determinant of eligibility at Bankable
- SBA does require citizenship (March 2026 rule) — Bankable does not
- Up to $5M available for qualified O-1 business owners
No. Bankable does not require a green card. We do not require permanent residence, a green card application, a co-signer with a green card, or any immigration status beyond your current valid O-1 visa. Our funding decisions are based entirely on your business revenue — not on what your immigration attorney told you last month. O-1 visa is sufficient identification for all Bankable products, up to $5M. Check your Bankability Score.
What Bankable Actually Requires from O-1 Holders
Here is the complete list of immigration-related requirements at Bankable:
- A valid U.S. visa (O-1 qualifies) or other valid U.S. work authorization
- A valid government-issued photo ID (passport with O-1 stamp qualifies)
- A U.S. business entity (LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship with EIN)
- A U.S. business bank account in the business name
That is it. No green card. No citizenship. No permanent residence. No co-signer. No specific visa category other than valid U.S. work authorization.
Why Banks Ask About Green Cards (And Why Bankable Doesn't)
Traditional banks ask about immigration status because their regulatory risk models include residency status as a factor in default probability assessment — specifically, concerns about a borrower leaving the country if business fails. Bankable's revenue-based model mitigates this risk differently: repayment occurs daily from revenue, so there is no large lump-sum exposure that would make a departure catastrophic. This structural difference in repayment mechanics means visa status is irrelevant to our risk model.
What Green Card Status Does NOT Change at Bankable
- Maximum funding amount (same for all immigration statuses)
- Interest rate or factor rate
- Decision timeline (48 hours for all)
- Eligible business types (all industries qualify)
- Eligible business revenue types (all verifiable revenue qualifies)
The SBA Green Card Requirement vs. Bankable
The SBA (through its March 2026 rule change) now requires 100% U.S. citizen or national ownership. This is not a green card requirement — it requires citizenship, which is stricter than permanent residence. Even a green card holder who is not yet a citizen is barred from SBA loans on the same basis as an O-1 holder. Bankable requires neither. See the SBA alternative analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Bankable does not require a green card, permanent residence, or citizenship. A valid O-1 visa is sufficient.
A valid government-issued photo ID (passport with O-1 stamp qualifies) and a valid U.S. business entity with EIN.
No. Pending green card applications neither help nor hurt eligibility at Bankable. Revenue is the only determinant.
We verify you have valid U.S. work authorization for identity purposes only. Visa type does not affect the funding decision.
Yes. Green card applications are irrelevant to Bankable's eligibility.
An expiring O-1 does not accelerate repayment. We expect O-1 holders to renew or transition to a new status. See our page on O-1 renewal and funding.
No. Bankable does not require co-signers for O-1 holders.
Yes. Recent extensions do not affect eligibility.
Not directly. Time in business (6 months minimum) matters; total time on O-1 does not.
Up to $5M based on business revenue. No green card required regardless of amount.