Key Takeaways
- SBA rejections for R-1 holders are now mandatory — the 2026 rule requires citizenship
- Bankable is a non-SBA lender with no citizenship requirement
- Revenue-based funding up to $5M available after SBA rejection
- 48-hour decisions — faster than the months you spent waiting for the SBA
- Your SBA rejection letter is NOT a reflection of your creditworthiness
- 2,400+ business owners funded after SBA or bank denial
If you received an SBA rejection letter after March 2026, it almost certainly contains a specific citation: you do not meet the citizenship requirement under the revised 13 C.F.R. Part 120 rules. This is not a reflection of your creditworthiness, your business performance, or your capacity to repay. The SBA rejected you because they were required to — not because your business doesn't qualify for capital.
Understanding Why the SBA Rejected You
The March 2026 SBA rule change implemented a 100% US citizenship requirement for all SBA loan programs, including SBA 7(a) (up to $5M), SBA 504 (equipment and real estate), and SBA Express (fast-approval lines of credit). R-1 visa holders — who are legally authorized to work and live in the United States — are categorically excluded from all SBA programs under this rule. Green card holders, DACA recipients, and visa holders of all categories are now ineligible for SBA loans.
The rejection letter you received has nothing to do with your FICO score, your revenue, your industry, or your repayment history. Banks and SBA-affiliated lenders were required to deny your application regardless of those factors.
What Bankable Offers After SBA Rejection
Bankable is not an SBA lender. We do not participate in any SBA programs. We provide revenue-based funding entirely outside the SBA system — which means the March 2026 citizenship rule simply does not apply to our programs. We evaluate R-1 visa holders and non-citizens of all categories using the same criteria we apply to US citizens: monthly revenue, business performance, and repayment capacity.
- Revenue-based advances — up to $5M based on your monthly revenue
- No citizenship requirement — R-1, H-1B, E-2, L-1, O-1, and other visa holders qualify
- 48-hour decisions — not the 45–90 day SBA timeline
- Flexible repayment — percentage of daily revenue, not fixed monthly payments
- No collateral requirement — your revenue is the qualification basis
What to Do With Your SBA Rejection Letter
Keep it. Your SBA rejection letter may be useful documentation showing that you pursued standard lending channels in good faith. Some tax advisors and immigration attorneys note that demonstrating diligent capital-seeking activity can be relevant in certain business visa contexts. Bankable's advisors can also review your rejection letter to ensure you fully understand why the SBA denied you and what options are now available.
| SBA Said | What It Actually Means |
|---|---|
| "Does not meet citizenship requirement" | You are not a US citizen — the SBA is legally required to decline |
| "Ineligible applicant" | Your visa status makes you ineligible, not your business |
| "Does not meet program requirements" | The 2026 rule changes made non-citizens categorically ineligible |
Apply to Bankable now — the process takes 5 minutes, decisions arrive in 48 hours, and your SBA rejection has no bearing on our decision. Or call (786) 443-5511 to speak directly with a funding advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bankable's funding is entirely outside the SBA system. Your SBA rejection — which was based on the 2026 citizenship rule — has no bearing on your Bankable application. We evaluate your business revenue, not your immigration status.
The March 2026 SBA rule change requires 100% US citizenship for all SBA loan programs. If you are an R-1 visa holder (or any non-citizen), the SBA is legally required to reject your application regardless of your business performance, credit score, or repayment history.
Bankable is a non-SBA private lender. We do not participate in SBA programs and are not subject to SBA citizenship requirements. We evaluate funding applications using revenue-based criteria with no citizenship requirement.
Bankable preliminary decisions arrive in 48 hours. Funds arrive 3–5 business days later. This is dramatically faster than the 45–90 day SBA process that ended in rejection.
No. Bankable does not consider your SBA rejection history as a negative factor. We evaluate your current business revenue and bank statements — not your SBA application history.
Up to $5M based on your business's monthly revenue. This is the same maximum as SBA 7(a) loans — Bankable matches SBA program ceilings while eliminating the citizenship requirement.
Bankable uses revenue-based underwriting. While we consider credit history, it is not the primary decision factor. Many businesses with below-average credit scores qualify for Bankable funding based on strong revenue performance.
You may pursue any funding sources simultaneously. However, R-1 visa holders are categorically ineligible for SBA programs under the 2026 rule — a second SBA application will receive the same rejection. Bankable's revenue-based funding is the more productive path.