Key Takeaways
- Trucking business revenue — not visa status — determines Bankable funding eligibility
- Fund truck purchases, fleet expansion, and working capital between loads
- SBA loans now require 100% US citizen ownership — eliminates most OPT trucking founders
- Freight factoring and revenue-based capital available for active carriers
- 48-hour decisions for F-1 OPT trucking business owners
The US freight and logistics industry moved $2.4 trillion in goods in 2024, and a growing number of owner-operators and small fleet owners are international graduates on F-1 OPT who studied supply chain management, logistics, or operations. These founders understand freight markets, know how to build shipper relationships, and have direct access to international cargo networks — competitive advantages that domestic carriers often lack.
The capital gap is acute in trucking: trucks cost $80K-$180K each, insurance runs $12K-$25K annually per truck, and there's a persistent gap between delivery completion and shipper payment (typically 30-60 days). Bankable bridges this gap with revenue-based funding that evaluates your freight receipts, not your visa category.
Trucking Capital Solutions for OPT Founders
- Truck acquisition financing: Fund Class 8 semi trucks, day cabs, box trucks, and refrigerated trailers using the vehicle as collateral
- Fleet expansion capital: Add 2-10 trucks to an operating fleet with proven per-truck revenue history
- Working capital between loads: Bridge the payment gap between delivery confirmation and shipper remittance
- Insurance premium financing: Spread annual insurance costs monthly rather than paying upfront
- DOT compliance costs: Fund IFTA filings, annual inspections, and regulatory compliance
- Fuel card programs: Operating capital tied to fuel discount networks for cost reduction
Freight Revenue as Your Funding Foundation
Trucking businesses have clear, documentable revenue: freight invoices, load confirmation sheets, and factoring statements that show exactly what each truck earns per mile. Bankable's underwriters evaluate your rate-per-mile, load frequency, primary lane revenue, and customer concentration. A trucking business doing $20K/month in gross freight revenue with consistent load history qualifies for working capital, with larger fleet operators accessing $500K-$5M in growth capital.
For OPT founders specifically, the business entity structure matters. A properly formed LLC or C-Corp with an EIN, operating authority (MC number), and business bank account is the foundation Bankable evaluates. Your personal immigration status doesn't enter the equation.
Equipment Financing
Truck and trailer financing with the asset as collateral. Lower rates than unsecured working capital.
Explore →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. F-1 OPT founders can own a US-registered LLC or corporation that holds trucking operating authority. STEM OPT requires working for an E-Verify employer — a self-owned corporation with proper E-Verify enrollment qualifies if structured correctly. Consult an immigration attorney for your specific situation.
Yes. Equipment financing for trucks uses the vehicle as collateral. We evaluate the business's freight revenue history, not the founder's immigration status, when determining loan terms.
$20,000+ in monthly gross freight revenue with 4+ months of operating history. Single-truck owner-operators at $15K/month can still qualify for working capital products.
The SBA's March 2026 rule requires 100% US citizen ownership. Bankable is a non-SBA lender — our approval criteria are entirely revenue-based. OPT founders are not disqualified from any Bankable product.
Business bank statements (3-6 months), freight invoices or load confirmation history, MC number and DOT authority documentation, and your EIN. No immigration documents are requested.
Yes. Bankable evaluates the business entity, not your current visa document. An active EAD (Employment Authorization Document) or pending extension does not affect our approval process.
Freight factoring advances you 85-95% of invoice value immediately, with the factor collecting from your shipper. Bankable provides term-based or revolving working capital against your overall revenue history — different structure, often better for established carriers.
Your business entity continues to operate and service debt regardless of your personal location. Many F-1 OPT founders have co-managers or operators who can run day-to-day operations. The loan is with the business, not with you personally.