Key Takeaways
- Bankable does NOT require a green card for business funding
- R-1 visa holders qualify based on business revenue, not citizenship
- Passport is accepted as primary ID — no SSN required in all cases
- SBA lenders require citizenship; Bankable does not participate in SBA programs
- Up to $5M available to R-1 holders without green card
- 48-hour decisions with no citizenship documentation required
The most common question we receive from R-1 visa holders: does Bankable require a green card? The answer is unambiguously no. Bankable evaluates business funding applications based on your business's revenue performance. We do not require a green card, permanent resident status, or US citizenship for any of our funding programs.
What Bankable Actually Requires
Here is the complete list of what Bankable requires to evaluate and fund an R-1 visa holder's business application:
- Valid government-issued ID — your passport is accepted as primary identification
- Business formation documents — LLC operating agreement, articles of incorporation, or sole proprietor business license
- 6 months of business bank statements — showing at least $10,000–$15,000 per month in deposits
- Basic business information — business name, industry, location, and approximate monthly revenue
That's it. No green card required. No citizenship documentation required. No Social Security Number required in most cases (an ITIN is acceptable). No visa documentation required beyond what's needed to establish your identity.
Why Bankable Doesn't Require a Green Card
Bankable operates as a private, non-SBA lender. Unlike banks and lenders that participate in SBA loan programs, Bankable is not subject to the March 2026 SBA rule requiring 100% US citizenship. Bankable sets its own eligibility criteria — and those criteria are based on business performance, not immigration status. We evaluate the same factors for R-1 holders as we do for US citizens: monthly revenue, business history, and repayment capacity.
Visa Categories That Qualify at Bankable
Bankable funds business owners across a wide range of visa categories, not just R-1:
- R-1 (religious worker) visa holders
- H-1B (specialty occupation) visa holders
- E-2 (treaty investor) visa holders
- L-1 (intracompany transferee) visa holders
- O-1 (extraordinary ability) visa holders
- Green card holders (permanent residents)
- US citizens
- Other lawfully present non-citizen business owners
The common thread is simple: your business must be legally operating in the United States with documented revenue. Your visa category is not a factor in our funding decision.
What Changed for R-1 Holders in 2026
The March 2026 SBA rule change required that all SBA-guaranteed loans go only to US citizens. This closed SBA 7(a), SBA 504, and SBA Express programs to R-1 holders. It did not change Bankable's eligibility criteria — Bankable never participated in SBA programs and continues to fund R-1 holders on the same terms as before.
| Requirement | SBA Lenders (Post-2026) | Bankable |
|---|---|---|
| US citizenship | Required | Not required |
| Green card | Required | Not required |
| Passport (ID) | Required | Accepted as primary ID |
| Business revenue | Required | Required (primary factor) |
| SSN | Required | ITIN accepted |
Apply now at bankablefunds.com — a 5-minute process with no green card required. Or call (786) 443-5511 to speak with a funding advisor about your R-1 business's qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Bankable does not require a green card or US citizenship for business funding. We evaluate applications based on your business's monthly revenue and bank statement history.
Bankable accepts your passport as primary government-issued identification. No green card required. In most cases, an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) is acceptable in place of a Social Security Number.
Bankable is a private, non-SBA lender. We do not participate in SBA loan programs and are not subject to the March 2026 SBA citizenship requirement. Bankable sets its own eligibility criteria based on business revenue performance.
Yes. R-1 visa holders are explicitly welcome to apply for Bankable funding. We serve the faith-community business ecosystem that R-1 workers participate in across the United States.
Bankable funds business owners across all lawful visa categories: R-1, H-1B, E-2, L-1, O-1, and others. Green card holders and US citizens also qualify. Visa category is not a factor in funding decisions.
Six months of business bank statements, business formation documents, and a valid government-issued ID (passport accepted). The application takes 5 minutes online at bankablefunds.com.
Up to $5M based on your business's monthly revenue. There is no separate maximum for non-green-card applicants — R-1 holders access the same funding amounts as citizens.
No. Bankable does not report visa status or citizenship information to immigration authorities. Your funding application is confidential and used only for business lending purposes.