Key Takeaways
- Bankable funds H-1B fashion/apparel 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
Fashion and apparel businesses face a particularly brutal capital cycle: seasons are planned 6 months ahead, production is ordered from manufacturers on 30 to 60 day terms, and wholesale customers pay net-30 to net-60 after delivery. The gap between placing a production order and receiving wholesale payment can span 4 to 6 months — requiring continuous working capital.
H-1B holders in fashion — South Asian textile designers, Korean-American streetwear founders, and Chinese-American apparel manufacturers — have built some of the most innovative brands in contemporary American fashion. Many operate wholesale businesses supplying department stores and boutiques, DTC brands through Shopify, or private label manufacturing for other fashion companies.
The March 2026 SBA rule eliminated H-1B fashion/apparel businesses from all 7(a) loan access. Bankable provides a direct path to revenue-based funding without any citizenship test.
Capital Uses for H-1B Fashion/Apparel Operators
- Production Order Financing: Fronting the cost of a seasonal production order with overseas manufacturers before wholesale orders convert to payment.
- Inventory Financing: Carrying finished goods inventory between production and wholesale or retail sale.
- Trade Show Capital: New York, Las Vegas, and LA trade show expenses for booth, samples, and travel to present to wholesale buyers.
- DTC Marketing: Digital marketing, influencer partnerships, and photography for direct-to-consumer brand building.
- Wholesale AR Bridge: Bridging the net-30 to net-60 payment gap from department store and boutique wholesale accounts.
| 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 fashion/apparel 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.