Key Takeaways
- Only 5 documents required: SSN, photo ID, EIN letter, 3 months bank statements, voided check
- No green card, I-551, visa stamp, or USCIS documents required for Bankable funding
- Business bank statements must be business checking (not personal) and show $10K+ monthly
- Digital/scanned copies are accepted—no in-person document submission required
- Most J-1 applicants complete the document submission in under 15 minutes
One of the most common barriers J-1 business owners face when exploring business funding is uncertainty about what documents they actually need—and anxiety that immigration documents they don’t have (green card, I-551) will disqualify them. Bankable’s document list is simple, practical, and entirely free of immigration paperwork requirements. Here is everything you need, explained in detail.
The Complete Bankable Document Checklist for J-1 Holders
| # | Document | What It Proves | Format Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social Security Number (SSN) | Identity and IRS taxpayer status | Card or verified number |
| 2 | Government-Issued Photo ID | Identity confirmation | Passport (any country), state ID, driver’s license |
| 3 | EIN Confirmation Letter | Business tax identification | IRS CP-575 letter or online EIN confirmation |
| 4 | 3 Months Business Bank Statements | Revenue and cash flow history | PDF from online banking, not screenshots |
| 5 | Voided Business Check | Account for capital wire transfer | Physical check photo or bank letter with account details |
Document-by-Document Guidance for J-1 Holders
1. Social Security Number
J-1 visa holders are eligible for SSNs. Your SSN is issued either by your program sponsor through the DS-2019 authorization process or directly through the Social Security Administration if you have employment authorization. If you have an SSN, use it. If you only have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), contact Bankable to discuss your specific situation—ITIN-based applications are handled case-by-case.
2. Government-Issued Photo ID
Your foreign passport is fully accepted as a government-issued photo ID. You do not need a US driver’s license, state ID, or any US-government-issued document. If you have obtained a US state ID or driver’s license, that is also accepted. The passport must be current (not expired).
3. EIN Confirmation Letter
Your EIN (Employer Identification Number) is issued by the IRS when you register your business entity (LLC or corporation). If you applied online, you received an IRS CP-575 letter electronically. If you registered by mail or phone, you received a physical CP-575. If you’ve lost yours, you can obtain an EIN verification letter (147C) by calling the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line.
4. Business Bank Statements
Three months of complete business bank statements (not personal account statements) showing all deposits and withdrawals. These must be from a business checking account registered to your LLC or corporation—not your personal account. Online banking PDF exports are accepted; screenshot images are not (they can be edited).
5. Voided Business Check
A voided check from your business checking account confirms the routing and account numbers for the capital wire. If you don’t have paper checks, your bank can provide a letter with account and routing numbers on business letterhead.
Ready to submit your documents? Start with your Bankability Score. Our SBA alternatives guide explains why Bankable is the best option for J-1 holders in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Bankable does not require your DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status), your visa stamp, or any USCIS-issued document. Your passport as a photo ID and your SSN are sufficient for identity verification.
Yes. Any current foreign passport from any country is accepted as a government-issued photo ID for Bankable applications. The passport simply needs to be valid (not expired).
If your business bank account is newer than 3 months, you can supplement with platform revenue statements (Stripe, PayPal, Amazon Seller Central) covering the same period. These are evaluated alongside your bank statements. If your business itself is newer than 3 months, you must wait until the minimum operating history is established.
No. Bankable requires a dedicated business checking account for the bank statement review. A personal account that receives some business income is not acceptable. Open a business checking account (most banks take 1–2 days) as soon as possible.
You can apply for an EIN instantly online at IRS.gov/EIN if your business is already formed. The process takes about 10 minutes and your EIN is issued immediately. If you formed your business outside the US, you may need to apply by phone or mail, which takes 4–6 weeks.
Tax returns are not required for initial applications. Bank statements are the primary financial documentation. Tax returns may be requested for larger advances ($500K+) or where bank statements don’t clearly show all revenue sources.
All documents can be submitted electronically through Bankable’s secure upload portal. Scanned copies, email attachments, and PDF exports are all accepted. No physical mailing of original documents is required.
Minor discrepancies (legal entity name vs. DBA name) are common. Provide both the EIN letter with the legal name and the bank statement. If there is a significant mismatch, contact our team to discuss the documentation.
No. Bankable does not require collateral appraisals, property deeds, lien documentation, or asset schedules. We place a general business lien but do not require you to document specific collateral.
Typical timeline: Day 1–submit application and documents; Day 1–2–underwriting review; Day 2–3–receive funding offer; Day 3–5–sign agreement and receive capital wire. Total: 3–5 business days from application to funded.