Key Takeaways
- Humanitarian parolees (Ukrainian, Cuban, CHNV) with US restaurant revenue qualify
- Funding up to $5M — based on your monthly sales, not your visa status
- SBA banned all parolees in March 2026 — Bankable is the alternative
- 48-hour approval decisions; no collateral required for working capital
- EAD (work authorization card) accepted as primary ID
If you fled Havana, Kyiv, or Caracas with nothing but culinary skill and determination, and today you operate a US restaurant generating real revenue, Bankable funds your ambition. Traditional banks see "parole" on your immigration documents and close the door. We see a food business with verifiable monthly receipts and open ours.
Why Parolee-Owned Restaurants Are Systematically Denied
Banks use automated underwriting that flags non-permanent immigration statuses. When your visa field reads "humanitarian parole" — whether you're Ukrainian under U4U, Cuban under CHNV, or Afghan — the system rejects before a human ever reviews your P&L. Meanwhile, your restaurant may be doing $80,000 a month in card sales. That revenue is real. Bankable lends against it.
The March 2026 SBA rule change made this worse. The SBA now requires 100% US citizen or national ownership for all 7(a) and 504 loans — permanently closing the door on parolee-owned businesses that previously had a path through SBA programs. Learn more about SBA alternatives here.
Cuban Parolees: Miami's Restaurant Renaissance
Miami's Cuban parolee community — concentrated in Doral, Hialeah, and Little Havana — has launched hundreds of cafeterias, ventanitas, and full-service Cuban restaurants since 2023. Cuban entrepreneurs carry deep commercial DNA: many operated licensed paladares in Havana before emigrating. They understand food costs, labor management, and customer acquisition. What they lack is access to US capital markets. Bankable bridges that gap.
Ukrainian Parolees: From Kyiv Bistros to Chicago Tables
Ukrainian parolees in Chicago, New York, and Sacramento include former restaurant owners from Kyiv, Lviv, and Odessa. Many held liquor licenses, managed multi-location operations, and employed dozens of staff before the war displaced them. In the US, they're starting over — but with professional-grade skills. Bankable recognizes that a Ukrainian chef who ran a 200-cover restaurant on Khreshchatyk Street has the operational competence to build a successful US dining concept.
Funding Uses for Parolee-Owned Restaurants
- Kitchen Equipment: Commercial ranges, walk-in coolers, dishwashers — financed against the equipment itself
- Leasehold Improvements: Build-out, signage, seating, ADA compliance
- Working Capital: Food inventory, staff payroll during slow months, utility deposits
- Second Location Expansion: Once your first location proves revenue, fund the second
- Liquor License Acquisition: Financing for license purchase or transfer costs
What Bankable Requires (No Green Card Needed)
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Immigration Status | Humanitarian parole (any CHNV country, Ukrainian U4U, Afghan) with valid EAD |
| Business Revenue | Minimum $15,000/month in verifiable US business revenue |
| Time in Business | 6+ months operating in the United States |
| Bank Statements | 3 months of US business checking statements |
| Green Card | Not required — EAD + parole documentation accepted |
Revenue-Based Funding: How Repayment Works
Unlike traditional term loans with fixed monthly payments, Bankable's revenue-based funding repays as a small percentage of your daily or weekly card sales. On a $150,000 advance, your effective factor rate determines total repayment. On slow weeks — February weather, summer slumps — you pay less. On strong weeks — Valentine's Day, holiday rush — you pay more. Cash flow stays predictable. Learn how revenue-based funding works for parolees.
Check Your Score
5-minute assessment of your restaurant's fundability based on revenue, time in business, and immigration status.
Start Assessment →SBA Alternatives
SBA closed to parolees in 2026. See what replaced it and which programs still accept your status.
Compare Options →Equipment Financing
Commercial kitchen equipment financed with the equipment as collateral — easier approval, lower rates.
Explore →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Cuban parolees under the CHNV program receive work authorization and can obtain SSNs, making them eligible for Bankable's revenue-based funding. We do not require permanent residency or citizenship. Your restaurant's monthly card sales are the primary underwriting factor.
No. Bankable funds humanitarian parolees including Ukrainians (U4U), Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV), and Afghans. Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is accepted as primary ID.
Qualifying restaurants can borrow up to $5M. Most parolee-owned restaurants in their first 1-2 years qualify for $25K-$500K based on monthly revenue. Restaurants doing $100K+/month can access $500K-$2M.
Parole renewal is typically straightforward for Ukrainians and CHNV participants. Bankable structures funding terms aligned to your authorization period and renewable beyond it. We also work with your immigration attorney timeline. See our guide on what happens when parole expires.
Bankable issues funding decisions within 48 hours of receiving your 3 months of bank statements and EAD copy. Funds typically wire within 2-3 business days of approval.
Not necessarily. Revenue-based funding is primarily underwritten on gross revenue, not net profit. Many restaurants with thin margins (3-9%) qualify based on $15,000+ monthly card volume. We analyze your revenue trend, not your P&L bottom line.
Yes. Equipment financing is one of our most popular products for parolee-owned restaurants. The commercial equipment serves as collateral, enabling better rates and terms. See our equipment financing page.
3 months US business bank statements, copy of your EAD, your parole documentation, business EIN, and a voided business check. No tax returns required for amounts under $250K. See our full document checklist.