Key Takeaways
- Buying an existing business gives you immediate revenue from day one
- T visa holders qualify for acquisition loans based on target business cash flow
- SBA acquisition loans now require US citizenship — private lending fills the gap
- Acquisition loans range from $100K to $2M based on business EBITDA
- No green card required — SSN, business entity, and due diligence are sufficient
Buying an existing business is often the fastest path to business ownership for T visa entrepreneurs — you acquire existing revenue, customer relationships, employees, and systems instead of building them from scratch. As of March 2026, SBA business acquisition loans now require 100% US citizen ownership, but Bankable's private lending network funds T visa holder acquisitions based on the target business's cash flow.
Why Acquisition is Powerful for T Visa Entrepreneurs
- Immediate Revenue: Day-one cash flow from an established customer base eliminates the startup gap.
- Proven Operations: Existing systems, supplier relationships, and team in place from the moment you take ownership.
- Bankable Track Record: The acquisition target's revenue history is your strongest financing asset.
- Strategic Positioning: Acquiring competitors, complementary businesses, or established routes builds scale quickly.
How Acquisition Financing is Structured
Bankable evaluates the target business's EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) to determine loan amount. Typical acquisition loans are structured at 2-4x EBITDA with 20-30% buyer equity, and repayment comes from the acquired business's cash flow — not your personal funds. See your options by checking your Bankability Score.
Due Diligence Essentials
Before Bankable can fund an acquisition, you'll need 3 years of target business tax returns, trailing 12-month P&L, business valuation, and purchase agreement. Bankable's team will guide you through the documentation process. Explore SBA-alternative loan structures for acquisition financing.
Business Acquisition Loan
Private lending to fund the purchase price of an existing business.
Apply Now →SBA Alternative
Private equivalents to SBA 7(a) acquisition loans — no citizenship required.
Learn More →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. T visa holders can legally purchase and own US businesses. The SBA's March 2026 rule affects government-backed acquisition loans, not your legal right to acquire businesses.
Yes through private lenders. Bankable's network funds business acquisitions by T visa holders based on the target business's cash flow and your down payment. No SBA citizenship requirement applies.
Acquisition loans range from $100K to $2M. The amount is typically based on 2-4x the target business's annual EBITDA, with 20-30% buyer equity required.
You'll need 3 years of the target business's tax returns, trailing 12-month P&L, a business valuation report, signed purchase agreement, and your 6 months of personal/business bank statements.
Private acquisition loans close in 3-6 weeks from complete application. Expedited closings (2-3 weeks) are possible for well-documented transactions.
Yes. Acquisition loans are structured so that the acquired business's cash flow — not your personal income — services the debt. This is the core logic of acquisition financing.
Any legal US business qualifies — service businesses, restaurants, retail stores, manufacturing companies, professional practices, franchises, and B2B service companies.
Industry experience in the target business sector strengthens your application significantly. Lenders want to see that you can successfully operate what you're buying. Prior experience in the same or adjacent industry is highly favorable.