Documents Needed for R-1 Visa Business Funding

One of the most common barriers R-1 visa holders face when seeking business funding is uncertainty about what documents are required — and fear that missing citizenship documentation will disqualify them. This guide provides a complete, plain-English checklist of what Bankable requires and, equally important, what Bankable does not require.

Documents You MUST Have

These four items are required for all Bankable funding applications:

1. 6 months of business bank statements — This is the single most important document. Bankable uses your bank statements to verify monthly revenue, identify deposit patterns, and assess repayment capacity. Statements must be from your primary business checking account. Personal bank statements are not sufficient.
2. Government-issued photo ID — Your passport is accepted. A driver's license is also accepted. Your R-1 visa card or I-94 arrival record is NOT sufficient on its own as primary ID.
3. Business formation document — One of the following: LLC operating agreement, articles of incorporation (for corporations), or a business license (for sole proprietors). This proves your business is a legally registered entity.
4. Basic business information form — Business name, industry type, physical address, approximate monthly revenue, and the funding amount you are seeking. Completed during the online application at bankablefunds.com.

Documents You Do NOT Need

This list surprises many R-1 applicants who have been turned away by banks with long document checklists:

• Green card — Not required at any funding level
• US citizenship documentation — Not required
• Social Security Number — An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is accepted in most cases
• Tax returns — Not required for most funding amounts below $500K
• Business plan — Not required; Bankable evaluates actual revenue, not projections
• Collateral documentation — Not required; Bankable's funding is revenue-based, not collateral-based
• Personal financial statements — Not required for most programs
• Employer verification letter — Not required
• Church or religious organization sponsorship letter — Not required

Additional Documents for Larger Funding Amounts

For funding requests above $500,000, Bankable may request additional documentation to complete underwriting:

• 12 months of business bank statements (instead of 6)
• Most recent business tax return (if available)
• Accounts receivable aging report (for B2B businesses)
• Business lease agreement (for location-based businesses)
• List of business licenses and permits

How to Prepare Your Bank Statements

Bank statements should be official PDFs downloaded directly from your bank's online portal — not photographs of paper statements. They should show:

• Your business name on the account
• All deposits and withdrawals for the full 6-month period
• The bank's official letterhead and account number

If your bank statements show very low deposits relative to your actual revenue (e.g., you process significant cash that isn't deposited), speak with a Bankable advisor before applying about how to document actual revenue.

Begin your application now at bankablefunds.com — the process takes 5 minutes and you can upload your bank statements directly through the secure portal. Or call (786) 443-5511 to speak with an advisor about your specific documentation situation.