Key Takeaways
- Primary document: 3–6 months of business bank statements
- No tax returns required for initial funding decisions up to $500K
- E-3 visa and passport serve as business owner identification
- EIN confirmation letter from IRS required
- 48-hour decisions from complete document submission
The documentation burden is one of the biggest pain points in business lending. SBA applications require extensive business plans, 3 years of tax returns, business and personal financial statements, and months of processing time. Bankable's approach is deliberately simpler: we make credit decisions primarily from bank statements and basic business information, and we do it in 48 hours.
Below is the complete document checklist for most E-3 holder business funding applications. Read it carefully — having everything ready before you apply will accelerate your approval significantly.
The E-3 Funding Barrier
The SBA's 100% citizen/national ownership rule disqualifies every E-3 holder from government-backed loans — regardless of how long you've been in the US, how profitable your business is, or how strong your credit score is. Banks that primarily originate SBA loans have no viable product to offer you. That's not a reflection of your business quality; it's a policy gap that Bankable was built to bridge.
Revenue-based funding through Bankable requires no green card, no citizenship, and no SBA involvement. What matters: your business generates consistent revenue, has been operating for at least 6 months, and has a US business bank account. That's the core of what we evaluate. Check your Bankability Score to see your options in minutes.
Challenges in This Sector
- Traditional lenders require extensive documentation that takes weeks to assemble
- SBA applications require certified financial statements, business plans, and personal financial statements
- For non-citizen applicants, additional identity documentation may be required
- Tax returns for US businesses may be complex if you've had multiple entity changes
- New businesses (6–12 months old) may not have annual tax returns yet
- Bank statements from international accounts are typically not accepted
Funding Solutions for E-3 Holders
- Minimal Core Documents: Bankable requires only bank statements, ID, and basic business info for most decisions.
- No Tax Returns Initially: For funding up to $500K, bank statements often suffice for the initial decision.
- E-3 ID Accepted: Your E-3 visa documentation and passport are accepted as owner identification.
- Simple Application: Start at /bankability-score/ — the application itself guides you through what's needed.
- Digital Submission: All documents can be submitted digitally — no in-person visits required.
Complete Document Checklist for E-3 Holders
| Document | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business bank statements (3–6 months) | Yes — Required | US business bank account; most recent 3–6 months |
| Government-issued ID | Yes — Required | Passport + E-3 visa page accepted |
| EIN confirmation | Yes — Required | IRS EIN assignment letter or CP-575 |
| Business formation documents | Yes — Required | LLC articles, S-Corp docs, or business registration |
| Business tax returns | Sometimes | Required for funding $500K+; not always for smaller amounts |
| Personal tax returns | Sometimes | May be required for large funding amounts |
| Accounts receivable aging | Sometimes | For invoice-heavy businesses |
| Business license | Sometimes | For licensed trades and professional services |
| Lease agreement | Helpful | Demonstrates stable business location |
| Business plan | No | Not required by Bankable |
| Collateral appraisal | No (working capital) | Required for equipment financing specifically |
Capital Products Available
Revenue-Based Funding
Up to $5M based on your monthly revenue. No green card, no SBA. 48-hour decisions.
Apply Now →Equipment Financing
Asset-backed funding for equipment — available to non-citizen business owners.
Check Eligibility →Frequently Asked Questions
Not for initial decisions on most products. For funding over $500K, we typically request tax returns.
Yes. Your E-3 visa page and passport are accepted as owner identification.
No. Bankable requires a US business bank account. Personal accounts don't provide the business financial picture we need.
Bankable can work with businesses under 1 year old (minimum 6 months). We evaluate bank statements rather than tax returns for early-stage businesses.
Not typically. Your passport and visa page are sufficient for identification purposes.
Yes. All documents are submitted through Bankable's secure digital portal.
Provide statements for all active business accounts — we evaluate the complete picture.
Minimum 3 months. Six months provides a more complete picture and typically supports higher funding amounts.
Yes. Your business must have a US operating address.
Sole proprietors with EINs and separate business bank accounts can qualify.