Key Takeaways
- YES — AOS EAD holders can get business loans in 2026 from private lenders including Bankable
- NO — SBA 7(a) and 504 loans are categorically unavailable to AOS applicants as of March 1, 2026
- Bankable evaluates AOS businesses on monthly revenue — decisions in 48 hours, no green card required
- A valid EAD (any category — C09, C35, C36, or others) is sufficient work authorization for Bankable
- Up to $5M available for AOS businesses with qualifying monthly revenue — the SBA exclusion does not apply
Yes. AOS EAD holders can get business loans in 2026. This is the most important thing to understand after the SBA's March 1, 2026 rule change: the SBA closed its programs to AOS applicants, but the SBA is not the entirety of the small business lending market. Bankable is a private revenue-based lender that has never required permanent residency. Your Employment Authorization Document demonstrates legal work authorization — which is all Bankable needs, alongside your business's revenue history.
What Changed on March 1, 2026
The SBA implemented an eligibility update effective March 1, 2026 that formally excluded Adjustment of Status applicants from all SBA 7(a) and 504 loan programs. Before this date, some SBA lenders interpreted the "lawful permanent resident" language loosely enough to accommodate certain AOS holders — particularly those with approved I-140 petitions. That ambiguity was resolved: AOS applicants are now explicitly ineligible regardless of EAD status, I-140 approval, or priority date.
What Did Not Change on March 1, 2026
Private business lenders were not affected by the SBA rule change. Bankable has never based lending decisions on immigration status — we have always evaluated businesses on their revenue performance. The March 2026 SBA change did not require Bankable to change anything: we were already serving AOS holders before the change, and we continue to serve them after.
The Full Landscape of 2026 Business Lending for AOS Holders
| Lender Type | AOS Eligible in 2026? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) | NO | Excluded March 1, 2026 |
| SBA 504 | NO | Excluded March 1, 2026 |
| SBA Express | NO | Excluded March 1, 2026 |
| Traditional Banks | Varies | Most require green card or citizenship |
| Bankable | YES | Revenue-based; no immigration requirement |
| Revenue-Based Lenders | Generally YES | Varies by lender policy |
| Equipment Financing | Generally YES | Equipment as collateral helps |
| Merchant Cash Advances | Generally YES | High cost; evaluate carefully |
What Bankable Needs from an AOS Holder in 2026
- Valid EAD: Any category (C09, C35, C36, etc.) that authorizes work in the US.
- Business revenue: At least $25K/month average over 3–6 months.
- Bank statements: 3–6 months of business bank statements showing consistent deposits.
- Business documents: LLC operating agreement, articles of incorporation, or equivalent.
- Government ID: Passport, state ID, or other government-issued photo ID.
Check your Bankability Score today. Your AOS status is not a barrier with Bankable — only your revenue matters. Our SBA 7(a) guide has the full breakdown of the March 2026 rule change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. AOS holders with valid Employment Authorization Documents can access business loans from private lenders including Bankable. The SBA closed its programs to AOS applicants on March 1, 2026 — but private lenders like Bankable are fully open.
Bankable and other private revenue-based lenders accept AOS applicants. Traditional banks typically require green card or citizenship. SBA-backed loans are now unavailable to all AOS applicants.
Yes. The March 1, 2026 SBA rule applies to all AOS applicants — employment-based and family-sponsored, regardless of EAD status, I-140 approval, or priority date. The exclusion is categorical.
For Bankable, no. We accept all EAD categories — C09, C35, C36, and others — as evidence of work authorization. The EAD category does not affect your Bankable funding eligibility.
Yes. The length of time you have been in AOS status is irrelevant to Bankable's evaluation. A 15-year AOS case with strong business revenue is just as eligible as a 6-month AOS case.
Bankable funds AOS businesses up to $5M. The maximum amount you qualify for depends on your monthly business revenue — typically 2–5x your average monthly revenue.
Not from Bankable. Your EAD provides the work authorization that Bankable requires. Green cards or permanent residency are required only for SBA programs, which have excluded AOS holders since March 2026.
Some state economic development programs have broader eligibility criteria than SBA. Rules vary by state and program. Bankable is available in all 50 states and has no state-specific restrictions for AOS holders.
Most banks evaluate creditworthiness using criteria that favor permanent residents and citizens — personal credit history in the US, permanent residency, etc. Bankable evaluates your business's monthly revenue performance — a metric that doesn't change based on immigration status.
Apply to Bankable directly. Many AOS holders who were rejected by traditional banks or denied by SBA qualify for Bankable's revenue-based funding. Check your Bankability Score at bankablefunds.com/bankability-score/