Key Takeaways
- Bankable does NOT require a green card, permanent residency, or U.S. citizenship
- An active EAD (Employment Authorization Document) is all the immigration documentation required
- Bankable evaluates business revenue — not immigration status — as the primary credit factor
- U visa holders, deferred action recipients, and TPS holders all qualify with an active EAD
- Funding from $25K to $750K with decisions in 48 hours
The most common question U visa holders ask before applying is: "Do you require a green card?" The answer is unequivocally no. Bankable is a private lender that makes funding decisions based on business revenue, not immigration status. This is not a technicality or a loophole — it is our core underwriting philosophy.
What Bankable Actually Requires
Here is exactly what Bankable needs from a U visa holder applicant:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Work Authorization | Active EAD card (Form I-766). Your visa category — U visa, deferred action, TPS — does not matter as long as the EAD is current. |
| Business Identity | EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS. Available to any person or entity operating a business in the US, regardless of immigration status. |
| Business Revenue | Minimum $10,000 average monthly revenue over the past 3 months, documented in business bank statements. |
| Time in Business | Minimum 3 months. 6+ months preferred for larger advances. |
| Business Bank Account | Active business checking account in the business name. Most major banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo — will open business checking for U visa holders with an EAD and EIN. |
What Bankable Does NOT Require
- Green card (Form I-551 / Lawful Permanent Resident status)
- U.S. citizenship
- Specific visa category (U visa, H-1B, DACA, TPS — all qualify with valid EAD)
- SBA guarantee or government backing
- Personal residency in the United States beyond what the EAD establishes
- U.S. citizen co-signer (though one can strengthen the application)
Why Bankable Can Fund Without a Green Card Requirement
Banks require green cards because they rely on SBA loan guarantees to reduce their risk — and the SBA requires permanent residency. Bankable does not use SBA guarantees. We fund from private capital and take on the credit risk ourselves. This means we set our own eligibility standards — and our standard is business revenue, not immigration status.
Check your eligibility at Bankable's Bankability Score. For more context, see our guide on getting a business loan as a U visa holder in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
We require a copy of your active EAD (Employment Authorization Document, Form I-766). We also accept a copy of your I-918 receipt notice as supplemental documentation.
Yes, but we recommend applying before your EAD expires. If your EAD expires within 60 days, include your EAD renewal receipt notice in your application.
No. EADs issued under U visa deferred action (Category A-20), DACA (Category C-33), TPS (Category A-12), or any other category are all acceptable.
No. Bankable requires valid work authorization documented by a current EAD. Undocumented individuals without an EAD do not qualify.
No. A co-signer is not required. If you have a U.S. citizen or green card holder co-signer who is a business co-owner, they can be added to the application, which may strengthen it.
Yes. Most major banks open business checking accounts for U visa holders with an EAD and EIN. Chase Business, Bank of America Business, and Wells Fargo Business Banking all serve this population.
No. Bankable is a private company. Your application information is not shared with USCIS, DHS, or any other government agency.
Apply for an EAD replacement through USCIS immediately. You can still apply for Bankable funding using your I-918 receipt notice and evidence of your EAD renewal application as interim documentation.