Key Takeaways
- H-1B holders can accomplish this business goal — with appropriate legal structure and capital from Bankable
- The SBA's March 2026 citizenship rule eliminated H-1B access to the most common funding sources for this use case
- Bankable funds H-1B businesses up to $5M based on revenue alone — no green card, no citizenship test
- 48-hour funding decisions — built for business timelines, not government bureaucracy
- Check your Bankability Score in 30 seconds — no SSN upload required
The H-1B startup funding landscape is genuinely difficult. Pre-revenue startups on H-1B face visa-related skepticism from VCs (will the founder be able to stay in the US?), banks (no operating history), and angel investors (small check sizes for high-risk bets). The SBA's startup loan programs are now closed to H-1B applicants. Bankable enters the picture at month 6 to 12 of operation, when the startup has documented revenue, a proven customer, and a growth trajectory that justifies capital. This is often exactly when startups most need their first significant funding round — beyond the founder's personal capital.
| 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 industry-specific context, explore our H-1B funding hub. For the full SBA alternative landscape, see our SBA alternative guide. And start with your Bankability Assessment to see your preliminary funding range in 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, once the startup has 6+ months of documented revenue. Bankable's minimum is $15,000 to $20,000/month in documented business revenue. Pre-revenue startups should focus on reaching this threshold first.
Bankable (revenue-based, 6+ months of revenue), angel investors, friends and family, and certain accelerators. VC is possible but faces visa-related uncertainty. SBA is now closed to H-1B founders.
Initial tranches of $25,000 to $250,000 for startups with 6 to 12 months of revenue. As the business demonstrates revenue consistency and repayment, subsequent tranches increase in size.
Once the business has 6 continuous months of documented revenue above $15,000/month. Earlier than this, Bankable cannot underwrite the revenue history required for approval.
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.