Key Takeaways
- Bankable requires 6 core documents for E-1 funding — no tax returns required for most amounts under $500K
- Your E-1 visa, I-94, and SSN are the immigration identity foundation — no green card or permanent residency required
- 6 months of business bank statements are the primary financial qualification evidence
- Business EIN (Employer Identification Number) is required — separate from your personal SSN
- Complete document submissions receive a funding decision within 48 hours of receipt
The most common reason E-1 funding applications are delayed is incomplete documentation — not qualification issues. E-1 Treaty Trader entrepreneurs who submit complete applications consistently receive decisions within 48 hours. This guide covers every document Bankable needs, what format is acceptable, and how to obtain any document you don't yet have.
Complete Document Checklist
| Document | Purpose | Format Accepted |
|---|---|---|
| Valid E-1 visa | Confirms treaty trader status and visa category | Passport photo page + visa stamp page (PDF or JPG) |
| I-94 record | Confirms current authorized US presence | Printed from CBP I-94 website or paper I-94 copy |
| Social Security Number | Primary identity verification | Social Security card or SSA confirmation letter |
| Business EIN | Identifies the business entity | IRS EIN confirmation letter (CP-575 or 147C) |
| Business bank statements (6 months) | Primary revenue qualification evidence | Official bank PDFs (not screenshots) |
| Business formation documents | Confirms legal entity structure and your ownership | LLC articles, corporation charter, or equivalent |
For Amounts Over $500K (Additional Documents)
- Business tax returns — last 1-2 years (if filed)
- Profit and loss statement — last 12 months (accountant-prepared preferred)
- Personal financial statement — for individual owners
- Business plan — for expansion or acquisition funding
How to Obtain Each Document
Your I-94 Record
Your I-94 is available online at the CBP I-94 website (i94.cbp.dhs.gov). Enter your name and passport information to retrieve your most recent arrival record. Print or save the PDF — this is the official document. Paper I-94 cards issued at ports of entry are also acceptable.
Your Business EIN
If you already have an EIN, your IRS CP-575 confirmation letter is the standard documentation. If you need to request a duplicate confirmation, call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line to request a 147C letter. If your business doesn't yet have an EIN, apply at IRS.gov — the online application takes about 10 minutes and the EIN is issued immediately.
Business Bank Statements
Download official PDF statements from your business bank's online portal for the most recent 6 months. Screenshots, photos of statements, or third-party aggregations are not accepted. If you have multiple business bank accounts, include all accounts that show business revenue deposits.
Once you have gathered these documents, complete your Bankability Score assessment first (5 minutes) to receive your personalized funding range, then proceed to the full application. Also see our guide on funding alternatives for E-1 Treaty Traders.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most amounts under $500,000, Bankable does not require business tax returns. Bank statements for 6 months are the primary financial documentation. For amounts over $500K, 1-2 years of business tax returns are requested if filed. E-1 businesses in their first year of operation with no filed returns can still qualify based on bank statements alone.
Digital submission is fully accepted. Bankable accepts PDF scans of original documents for all identity and visa documents, and PDF exports from bank portals for bank statements. No physical originals are required at the application stage. Originals may be requested for verification before large disbursements.
Inconsistent revenue is common for seasonal or project-based businesses and does not automatically disqualify an application. Bankable evaluates the average monthly revenue over the 6-month period, with additional consideration for trend direction. Include a brief note explaining significant revenue variations.
If your E-1 business is incorporated in the US (LLC, C-corp, S-corp), submit US formation documents. If you are a sole proprietor operating under a DBA, submit your DBA registration. Foreign company registration documents are not a substitute for US business formation documentation.
Businesses with fewer than 6 months of US history can submit all available months of statements along with treaty country business financial documentation and a business plan. Bankable evaluates newer E-1 businesses on a combined basis, though initial funding amounts will be smaller until more US history accumulates.
Both are required. Your personal SSN verifies your individual identity as the E-1 visa holder. Your business EIN identifies the business entity that will receive the funding. The funding agreement is with the business entity, so the EIN is mandatory regardless of personal SSN availability.
Your E-1 visa stamp remains valid even if the passport it was issued in has expired, provided the visa itself has not expired and you have a current valid passport. Submit copies of both passports — the old one with the visa stamp and the new current one — along with your I-94 record showing the most recent entry.
No. Bankable requires business bank statements for the business entity receiving the funding. If your business revenue flows through a personal account (which is not recommended), provide those statements along with an explanation. Bankable strongly recommends opening a dedicated business bank account before applying.
A business lease is helpful but not mandatory for most funding types. For commercial property purchase funding, a purchase agreement or property appraisal is required. For expansion funding, a letter of intent or signed lease for the new location strengthens the application but is not required for initial approval.
Documents are submitted through the secure Bankable online portal after completing your Bankability Score assessment. The portal uses 256-bit SSL encryption and bank-grade security. Documents can be uploaded directly or submitted via secure email link. Physical mail is accepted but significantly slower.