Key Takeaways
- Acquiring an existing business is lower-risk than starting from scratch
- Bankable funds acquisitions up to $5M based on the target's revenue, not your visa status
- SBA acquisition loans (7(a)) are closed to TN holders since March 2026
- 48-hour funding decisions — faster than traditional acquisition financing
- Seller's trailing revenue is the primary underwriting factor
Buying an existing business is one of the most strategically sound moves a TN visa holder can make. You acquire an established customer base, operational infrastructure, trained staff, and proven revenue — all without the 2-3 year ramp of a startup. For TN professionals who want business ownership without compromising their professional visa status, acquiring a well-run business is often the optimal path.
Why Acquisition Is Attractive for TN Holders
TN visa holders face a fundamental challenge with new business ventures: the business must generate revenue to demonstrate the TN holder is a legitimate business owner rather than someone who created a company to circumvent employment restrictions. Acquiring an existing profitable business eliminates this challenge — you purchase an operation that already has revenue, customers, and market presence.
The immigration positioning is also cleaner: a TN holder who acquires a $2M revenue business and holds equity while a hired manager operates it day-to-day has a clear, defensible structure. Immigration attorneys consistently recommend acquisition over startup for TN holders concerned about visa compliance.
The SBA 7(a) Acquisition Loan Gap
SBA 7(a) loans were the gold standard for small business acquisitions — 10% down, 10-year terms, and below-market rates. As of March 2026, TN holders are excluded. This is a significant disruption for TN professionals who were planning acquisitions using SBA financing. Bankable provides acquisition capital with 48-hour decisions and no immigration requirements.
Learn more about Bankable's SBA 7(a) alternatives for business acquisitions.
How Bankable Funds Business Acquisitions
Bankable evaluates acquisition funding requests based on: the target business's trailing 12-24 months of revenue and EBITDA, the seller's tax returns and P&L statements, the purchase price relative to revenue (typical range: 2-4x EBITDA for service businesses, 0.5-1x revenue for product businesses), the buyer's personal financial profile, and the transition plan for key personnel and customer relationships.
Bankable advances acquisition capital as a term loan against the acquired business's projected cash flow. Repayment terms of 3-5 years are typical for acquisitions in the $500K-$2M range.
Check your Bankability Score to see your acquisition capital eligibility.
Finding Businesses to Acquire as a TN Holder
TN holders often find the best acquisition targets through: BizBuySell and BizQuest (online marketplaces), Industry brokers for specific sectors (healthcare, technology, food service), Direct outreach to businesses in your professional network, and Accountant and attorney referrals from practitioners who work with retiring business owners. The sweet spot for TN holders: businesses doing $500K-$3M in revenue with a retiring owner who will carry 10-20% seller financing to bridge the gap between Bankable's advance and the full purchase price.