Key Takeaways
- The SBA's March 1, 2026 rule formally closed all SBA 7(a) and 504 programs to AOS applicants — permanently
- Bankable is the leading SBA alternative for AOS EAD holders — same $5M maximum, without the green card requirement
- Bankable's 48-hour decision process is 20x faster than SBA's 30–90 day process was for eligible borrowers
- Revenue-based underwriting means AOS businesses are evaluated on the same core metric as any other business
- AOS holders denied by SBA on or after March 1, 2026 can apply to Bankable immediately — no waiting period
The SBA's March 1, 2026 rule was not a surprise to everyone in the lending community — signals had been building for months that the SBA was going to clarify its longstanding ambiguity around AOS eligibility. The final rule was unambiguous: all Adjustment of Status applicants, regardless of EAD, I-140 approval, or priority date, are now formally ineligible for SBA 7(a) and 504 loans. For many AOS entrepreneurs who had been counting on SBA as their growth financing vehicle, this was a significant shock. Bankable was already serving this community — and the SBA closure simply made our role more essential.
What the SBA Provided (and No Longer Provides)
SBA 7(a) loans offered AOS-eligible borrowers (before March 2026): government-guaranteed financing up to $5M at competitive interest rates, with long repayment terms (up to 10 years for working capital, 25 years for real estate). The government guarantee allowed banks to approve borrowers they otherwise wouldn't. For AOS holders who had green cards or citizenship, SBA was the gold standard for business financing.
After March 2026, that pathway is closed. Bankable does not replicate SBA's low rate / long term structure — that structure required the government guarantee that is no longer available to AOS holders. What Bankable provides is speed, flexibility, and accessibility: revenue-based funding with no immigration eligibility filter, decided in 48 hours.
Bankable vs. SBA: The 2026 Comparison
| SBA 7(a) (Pre-March 2026) | Bankable (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| AOS Eligible | Sometimes (ambiguous) | Always |
| AOS Eligible (Post March 2026) | NO | YES |
| Max Amount | $5M | $5M |
| Decision Time | 30–90 days | 48 hours |
| Rate Structure | Prime + 2.25–4.75% | Revenue-based factor |
| Collateral | Often required | Not required |
The core substitution is clear: Bankable fills the AOS funding gap that SBA's March 2026 rule created. Check your Bankability Score now. Our SBA 7(a) guide provides the full history of the AOS exclusion and its implications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bankable does not differentiate between EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, family-sponsored, diversity visa, or humanitarian AOS categories. A valid EAD and qualifying business revenue are all you need.
At least $25K in average monthly business revenue over 3–6 months of bank statements.
5 minutes to submit. Decisions within 48 hours. Funding within 3–5 business days of approval.
No. Your priority date, visa category, or years in AOS status have no bearing on Bankable's revenue-based decision.
All valid EAD categories including C09 (pending I-485), C35, C36, and others. The specific EAD category does not affect eligibility.
No. Bankable is a private commercial lender and does not share customer information with immigration authorities.
LLCs, C-Corps, partnerships, and sole proprietorships. S-Corps are not eligible for AOS holders.
Nothing changes. Becoming a permanent resident does not affect your Bankable loan terms. Your funding continues unchanged.