Key Takeaways
- Bankable funds H-1B legal services 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
Law firms owned by H-1B attorneys represent a complex but legitimate business ownership structure. Attorneys on H-1B status who own their own law firms — typically structured as professional corporations or PLLCs — generate revenue from retainer arrangements, hourly billing, and contingency fees. Capital needs focus on case financing, staffing, and office operations.
H-1B attorneys who built immigration law practices, business law firms, and specialty legal practices serve populations that specifically seek their language, cultural competency, and immigration-specific expertise. These firms generate substantial revenue and employ paralegals, legal assistants, and support staff. The March 2026 SBA rule eliminated their access to SBA working capital loans.
The March 2026 SBA rule eliminated H-1B legal services businesses from all 7(a) access. Bankable provides a direct path to revenue-based funding without any citizenship test.
Capital Uses for H-1B Legal Services Operators
- Case and Matter Financing: Contingency litigation requires upfront expert witness, deposition, and discovery costs before settlement or verdict.
- Staff Expansion: Hiring associates, paralegals, and legal assistants before the expanded caseload fully covers the additional payroll.
- Office Expansion: Additional attorney offices, client conference rooms, and legal research infrastructure for a growing firm.
- Practice Management Technology: Legal practice management software, document management, and billing platforms for the growing firm.
- Marketing and Business Development: Website development, CLE sponsorships, and referral network investment to build client pipeline.
| 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 legal services 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.