Key Takeaways
- SBA Transportation loans are unavailable to E-3 holders — revenue-based funding is the primary alternative
- Fleet expansion, fuel, and maintenance are all fundable use cases
- Bankable funds up to $5M with decisions in 48 hours
- Trucking businesses with FMCSA authority and 6+ months operating history qualify
- Equipment financing available for truck and trailer acquisition
Australian nationals running trucking operations in the US on E-3 visas have built real businesses — freight routes, contracted clients, operating authority. What they can't access is the government-backed capital that US-citizen competitors take for granted. SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, the most common financing tools for fleet expansion, are categorically unavailable to E-3 holders.
Bankable provides revenue-based working capital and equipment financing that doesn't require SBA participation. We evaluate trucking businesses on freight revenue consistency, accounts receivable quality, and operating history. Your visa status is not a credit factor.
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
- SBA Transportation loans categorically unavailable to E-3 holders
- Truck and trailer acquisition requires $80K–$200K per unit — significant upfront capital
- Fuel costs are the largest variable expense in trucking, requiring working capital buffer
- Insurance premiums for commercial freight are substantial and must be paid upfront annually
- Freight payment terms (Net-30 to Net-60 from brokers) create accounts receivable float
- IFTA fuel tax and quarterly trucking tax obligations require cash reserves
Funding Solutions for E-3 Holders
- Equipment Financing: Fund truck and trailer acquisition with asset-backed financing — equipment serves as collateral.
- Working Capital: $50K–$2M for fuel, insurance, repairs, and payroll during slow freight periods.
- Invoice Factoring Bridge: While Bankable doesn't factor, our working capital bridges AR float from broker payment terms.
- Fleet Expansion Capital: Add units to your fleet with structured repayment tied to incremental revenue from new trucks.
- Maintenance Reserve Funding: Pre-fund maintenance budgets for aging fleet to avoid revenue loss from downtime.
E-3 Trucking Operators: The Regulatory Context
E-3 visa holders can legally own and operate trucking companies in the US. FMCSA operating authority (MC number) is issued to business entities, not individuals, so visa status does not affect your ability to obtain DOT/MC authority. The funding gap is purely a capital access issue — not a regulatory one.
Australian nationals in trucking tend to operate in owner-operator and small fleet categories (1–10 units), where the capital gap is most acute. Expanding from 1 to 3 trucks requires $200K–$400K — precisely the range where SBA exclusion hurts most.
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
Yes. Bankable offers revenue-based funding and equipment financing to E-3 holders with no SBA involvement and no green card requirement.
Yes. Trucking company ownership and FMCSA operating authority are not restricted by visa status. The limitation is funding access, not legal ownership.
Equipment financing through Bankable uses the truck/trailer as collateral. We can fund 70–90% of equipment value with terms up to 60 months.
Typically $15K+ per month in freight revenue with 6+ months of operating history. Owner-operators with a single truck generating consistent revenue qualify.
Yes. We understand freight broker payment terms, factoring, fuel costs, and seasonal freight patterns. We don't penalise trucking businesses for AR float.
Yes. Working capital through Bankable can be used for fuel, insurance premiums, maintenance, and any operating expense.
Decisions within 48 hours. Funds typically within 3–5 business days of approval.
6 months bank statements, FMCSA authority documentation, and basic business details. We keep it straightforward.
Yes. Fleet expansion is one of our most common trucking use cases. We structure repayment around the incremental revenue from new units.
Seasonal patterns are factored into our assessment. We evaluate trailing averages rather than peak or trough months alone.