After SBA Rejection: TN Visa Holders Have Better Options

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Key Takeaways

If your SBA loan application was rejected because of your TN visa status, you are not alone — and you are not at fault. The March 2026 SBA policy change disqualified all TN visa holders from SBA 7(a) and 504 loan programs, regardless of credit score, business revenue, or years in operation. This policy change affected thousands of Canadian and Mexican TN professionals who had built strong, bankable businesses over 5-15 years in the United States.

Why Your SBA Application Was Rejected

Effective March 1, 2026, the SBA updated its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP 50 10 7) to require lawful permanent resident status or US citizenship for all principals owning 20% or more of the borrowing entity. TN visa holders — despite being legally authorized to work and operate businesses in the US under USMCA — do not meet this requirement. The rejection has nothing to do with your creditworthiness, business performance, or character.

This means that even TN holders with: 800+ credit scores, $2M+ in annual revenue, 10 years of US business history, zero delinquencies, and strong collateral — are automatically disqualified from SBA lending. Bankable's model has no such requirement.

What Bankable Does Differently

Bankable is a revenue-based capital facilitator that evaluates your business's cash flow performance, not your immigration status. Our underwriting model uses: trailing 12 months of business bank statements, business revenue trends (growth, stability, seasonality), business age and industry, personal credit score (as one of many factors), and debt service coverage ratio.

There is no box on Bankable's application that asks for your visa status, green card, or citizenship. Your TN visa is not a disqualifying factor in any part of our process.

Check your Bankability Score to see exactly what Bankable can offer based on your business's revenue.

Bankable vs. SBA: An Honest Comparison

SBA 7(a) loans offer: 10-year terms, prime+2-3% interest, up to $5M, but require citizenship/LPR and take 60-120 days. Bankable offers: 12-60 month terms, competitive revenue-based pricing, up to $5M, no immigration requirement, and 48-hour decisions. For TN holders, Bankable is the functional equivalent of the SBA product — with faster execution and no immigration barrier.

Explore all Bankable's capital products available to TN holders.

What To Do After an SBA Rejection

Step 1: Collect your SBA rejection letter and note the stated reason. Step 2: Check your Bankability Score at bankablefunds.com — this takes 3 minutes and costs nothing. Step 3: Submit your 12 months of bank statements through Bankable's secure portal. Step 4: Receive your funding decision within 48 hours. Step 5: Receive capital within 5-7 business days. Many TN holders who were rejected by SBA on Monday have Bankable capital in their accounts by the following Thursday.

$5M
Available Capital
48hr
Decision Time
March 2026
SBA Rule Change
0
Immigration Checks

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was my SBA loan rejected for my TN visa?
The SBA's March 2026 policy update requires lawful permanent resident status or citizenship for all 20%+ principals in the borrowing entity. TN visa holders do not meet this requirement regardless of creditworthiness.
Does Bankable have an immigration requirement?
No. Bankable's revenue-based model evaluates your business's cash flow, not your immigration status. TN, H-1B, E-2, L-1, and O-1 holders are all eligible.
How fast can I get capital after an SBA rejection?
48-hour decision from Bankable, capital within 5-7 business days. Significantly faster than SBA timelines.
Will my SBA rejection hurt my Bankability Score?
No. Bankable's Bankability Score is based on your business revenue, not your SBA history. An SBA rejection does not appear in our underwriting.
How does Bankable's pricing compare to SBA rates?
SBA loans offer government-backed rates (prime+2-3%). Bankable's revenue-based pricing is competitive for non-SBA alternatives and reflects the speed and accessibility premium. The exact rate depends on your revenue profile.
Can I apply to Bankable at the same time I appeal my SBA rejection?
Yes. You can pursue Bankable funding simultaneously with any SBA appeal. SBA appeals rarely succeed for immigration-based rejections given the clear policy language.
What if I transfer ownership to avoid the SBA immigration requirement?
Transferring ownership for the purpose of circumventing SBA rules may constitute fraud. Consult an attorney before restructuring specifically for SBA eligibility.
How much can Bankable fund after an SBA rejection?
Up to $5M based on your business's trailing revenue. This matches the SBA 7(a) maximum.

Ready to Fund Your
TN Visa Business?

No green card required. No SBA red tape. Just revenue-based capital decisions made in 48 hours for qualified TN visa holders across North America.

TN visa accepted • 48-hour decisions • Up to $5M • No green card required

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