Key Takeaways
- Bankable funds H-1B event planning businesses up to $5M based on documented revenue
- No green card, no permanent residency, no citizenship required for funding
- SBA March 2026 rule eliminated H-1B owners from all SBA 7(a) loan access
- 48-hour funding decisions — faster than any bank or SBA lender
- Check your Bankability Score in 30 seconds — no SSN upload
Event planning businesses generate revenue on a project and retainer basis, with large corporate events often paying 50 percent upfront and 50 percent at completion. The challenge is event execution costs — venue deposits, catering pre-payments, and vendor coordination — that must be paid before the client's final payment arrives.
H-1B event planners — particularly those who specialize in South Asian weddings (a $5 billion annual market), corporate events, and cultural festivals — have built businesses that generate $200,000 to $2M in annual revenue. The March 2026 SBA rule eliminated their access to working capital loans that bridged the event execution cost gap.
The March 2026 SBA rule eliminated H-1B event planning businesses from all 7(a) access. Bankable provides a direct path to revenue-based funding without any citizenship test.
Capital Uses for H-1B Event Planning Operators
- Vendor Deposit Capital: Venue deposits, caterer prepayments, and entertainment deposits required before the event and before client final payment.
- Equipment and Decor Inventory: Lighting, draping, tableware, and specialty decor that event companies own rather than rent from vendors.
- Seasonal Staff Payroll: Event day staff, setup crew, and coordination team payroll for the days surrounding large events.
- Marketing and Client Acquisition: Styled shoot photography, bridal show participation, and digital marketing to build the client pipeline.
- Client Advance Bridge: Bridging the period between signing a contract (with initial deposit) and receiving the final client payment after event completion.
| Funding Source | H-1B Eligible? | Max Amount | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) — March 2026+ | No — US citizens only | $5M | 30–90 days |
| Traditional Banks | Rarely | Varies | 3–6 weeks |
| Bankable | Always yes | $5M | 48 hours |
For the full SBA alternative landscape for H-1B business owners, see our SBA alternative guide. Check your Bankability Score in 30 seconds to see your preliminary funding range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bankable funds event planning businesses based on documented revenue. No green card or permanent residency required.
Effective March 1, 2026, the SBA requires 100% US citizen ownership. All H-1B business owners are excluded from SBA 7(a) loans.
Minimum $20,000 in monthly revenue for initial consideration. Businesses at qualifying revenue levels access initial tranches of $50K to $500K.
48-hour decision from completed application. The Bankability Assessment at /bankability-score/ gives a preliminary range in 30 seconds.
No. Bankable funds H-1B holders as sole applicants based on business revenue alone.
No. Bankable has zero residency requirements. H-1B, L-1, O-1, and other work visa holders all qualify for funding assessment based on business revenue alone.
Effective March 1, 2026, the SBA requires 100% US citizen or national ownership for all 7(a) and 504 programs. H-1B holders are completely excluded regardless of revenue or credit history.
48 hours from completed application. The Bankability Assessment at /bankability-score/ takes 30 seconds and gives a preliminary range immediately.