Key Takeaways
- Primary requirement: $15,000+/month in consistent business revenue
- Secondary: 6+ months in business with US-registered entity (LLC or Corporation)
- No citizenship, green card, or permanent residence requirement
- No business plan, collateral documentation, or personal tax returns required initially
- 48-hour decision after submitting 3 months of business bank statements
Understanding the exact requirements for F-1 OPT business funding in 2026 removes the uncertainty and fear of applying. Many OPT founders avoid applying because they assume their immigration status will disqualify them. This guide lists every requirement—what you need, what you don't, and what's flexible—so you know exactly where you stand before you start.
The Core Requirements
Bankable's primary revenue-based funding programs have the following requirements:
| Requirement | Standard Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly business revenue | $15,000+/month | Average over 3 months; higher for larger loans |
| Time in business | 6 months minimum | 12+ months preferred; 6 months acceptable with strong revenue |
| Business entity type | US LLC or Corporation | Active EIN required; sole proprietorship not accepted |
| Business bank account | Active business checking | Not a personal account; business EIN must be on the account |
| Revenue trend | Stable or growing | Significant declining revenue is a disqualifying factor |
| Citizenship/immigration status | Not evaluated | F-1 OPT, STEM OPT, H-1B all qualify |
What You DO NOT Need
Clearing up common misconceptions about requirements that Bankable does NOT have:
- Green card or citizenship: Not required, not evaluated
- Personal credit score: Not the primary factor (business revenue is)
- Business plan: Not required for pre-qualification or most applications
- Personal tax returns (W-2, 1040): Not required initially
- Collateral: Not required for most products under $500K (UCC-1 lien is standard)
- 3 years of business tax returns: Not required (1 year only, for loans over $250K)
- US Social Security Number: Not required; business EIN is sufficient
Requirements by Loan Amount
| Loan Amount | Bank Statements | Business Tax Return | Additional Docs |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10K - $50K | 3 months | Not required | None |
| $50K - $250K | 3-6 months | Not required | Business formation docs |
| $250K - $500K | 6 months | Most recent year | Business formation docs |
| $500K - $1M | 12 months | Most recent year | Financial statements, P&L |
| $1M - $5M | 12-24 months | 2 most recent years | Audited financials preferred |
Revenue Quality Matters, Not Just Quantity
Meeting the $15K/month threshold is necessary but not sufficient. Bankable's underwriters also evaluate revenue quality:
- Consistency: Revenue that appears every month is stronger than large but infrequent deposits
- Source diversity: Revenue from multiple customers or channels is less risky than 80%+ from a single source
- Clean cash flow: No NSF (non-sufficient funds) events, no unexplained large withdrawals, no prolonged negative balances
- Growth trend: Revenue increasing month-over-month supports higher loan amounts and better terms
Business Structures That Qualify
Bankable funds businesses organized as: Limited Liability Companies (LLC, single-member or multi-member), S-Corporations, C-Corporations, Limited Partnerships (LP). Sole proprietorships and DBA-only structures without a separate EIN do not qualify. For OPT founders who have been operating as sole proprietors, forming an LLC is a straightforward step (takes 1-2 days in most states) that opens funding eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
The primary requirements are: $15,000+ monthly business revenue (consistent for 3+ months), 6+ months in business, a US-registered LLC or Corporation with its own EIN, and an active business bank account. Immigration status is not a requirement.
Business revenue is the primary factor. Personal credit may be reviewed but is not the primary determinant. OPT founders with limited US credit history (common) are not automatically disqualified—business revenue compensates for limited personal credit.
Not through Bankable's standard programs. You must have a US-registered business entity (LLC or Corporation) with its own EIN. The good news: forming an LLC takes 1-2 days in most states and costs $50-$500.
Some programs are available for businesses under 6 months with strong revenue documentation. Contact Bankable directly to discuss your specific situation.
For OPT compliance, you should be formally employed by your business entity (with a salary, officer role, or documented employment relationship). For Bankable's lending purposes, business revenue—not your personal employment structure—is what matters.
Yes. Businesses with multiple OPT founders or mixed citizenship ownership (e.g., 50% OPT founder + 50% US citizen co-founder) are eligible. Bankable evaluates the business entity's revenue, not the citizenship composition of the ownership table.
Revenue-positive (generating revenue) is the requirement—not profitability. Businesses that are growing revenue but reinvesting aggressively can still qualify. What matters is consistent cash deposits in the business bank account.
Bankable does not fund illegal businesses, cannabis companies in states where banking is restricted, or businesses primarily engaged in gambling, adult entertainment, or certain high-risk financial activities. All other legal business types are eligible.