Key Takeaways
- Bankable's document requirements are among the simplest in the industry — 6 months of bank statements is the core requirement
- No tax returns required for loans under $250K (helpful for new US businesses without multi-year returns)
- No green card, no immigration documents, no citizenship proof required at any stage
- Digital document submission — no in-person visits required
- Missing one document rarely disqualifies you — our team helps you identify substitutes
One of the most common reasons L-1 visa holders hesitate to apply for business funding is uncertainty about what documents they need and whether their situation — often involving limited US financial history and no permanent residency documentation — disqualifies them before they begin. This page provides a complete, honest list of what Bankable requires at each funding tier, so you can assess your readiness before you spend time on an application.
The short answer: Bankable's requirements are simpler than most business owners expect, and significantly simpler than what banks and SBA lenders require. For most loan amounts, six months of business bank statements is the document that matters most.
Core Documents for All Applications
Every Bankable application requires: (1) Business bank statements — the last 6 months minimum (12 months preferred and required for larger amounts). These must be the actual bank statements showing all transactions, not just a summary. (2) Business entity documentation — your LLC Operating Agreement, Articles of Incorporation, or equivalent document showing the business's legal existence and your ownership. (3) Employer Identification Number (EIN) — the IRS-issued tax identification number for your business. (4) Personal identification — Social Security Number for identity verification. A driver's license or passport copy may also be requested.
Additional Documents by Loan Size
For loans under $100,000: the core documents above are typically sufficient. For loans of $100,000–$500,000: we may additionally request your most recent business tax return (if available), a brief business description including industry, customer type, and revenue model, and in some cases, 3 months of personal bank statements. For loans above $500,000: we typically require 2–3 years of business tax returns, a current profit and loss statement, a balance sheet, and documentation of any existing business debt (other loan statements).
Documents Bankable Does NOT Require
Specifically, Bankable does not require: immigration documents (visa, green card, I-94), evidence of US citizenship or permanent residency, US tax returns for loans under $250,000 if bank statements are strong, personal real estate as collateral, a minimum number of years of US personal credit history, or a co-borrower who is a US citizen. These are the barriers that make banks inaccessible to most L-1 holders. We have removed them all.
Begin your application at our Bankability Score tool, which tells you exactly what documents you will need based on your specific loan amount and business type. For questions before applying, review our product overview to select the right financing type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Business bank statements are the most important document. Bankable needs 6–12 months of complete business bank statements showing your revenue, deposits, and operating patterns. This single document provides the revenue evidence that drives our underwriting decision.
No. Bankable does not request or require immigration documents including visas, I-94 records, green cards, or immigration status letters. Only basic identity verification (SSN) and business documentation are required.
For loans under $250,000, US tax returns are not required if your bank statements clearly demonstrate consistent business revenue. For larger loans, 1–3 years of business tax returns strengthen the application. If your business is too new for US tax returns, bank statements plus a description of the business typically suffice.
Very early-stage businesses with limited document history can still apply. We evaluate what is available: any US bank statements, client contracts or purchase orders, invoices, and for L-1 holders, the parent entity's financials. The more documentation you can provide, the stronger the application.
Yes. All Bankable applications and document submissions are digital. You can upload documents through our secure portal or email them to your relationship manager. No in-person visits are required at any stage of the process.
Bank statements should be official PDF exports directly from your bank's online portal or original paper statements scanned to PDF. Screenshots of online banking portals are not accepted as they are difficult to verify. Most banks allow you to download official statement PDFs from your online banking dashboard.
For smaller loans, business bank statements alone are typically sufficient. For larger loans or when the business has limited history, 3 months of personal bank statements may be requested. Personal statements are supplementary, not a primary requirement.
Acceptable entity documents include: LLC Operating Agreement, Articles of Organization (for LLCs), Articles of Incorporation (for corporations), Bylaws, a certificate of good standing from your state, or any official document showing your business's legal existence and your ownership percentage.
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is obtained from the IRS and is required for any US business. The application is free at IRS.gov and can be completed online in minutes. Foreign nationals with an SSN can obtain an EIN online. Those with only an ITIN must apply by mail or fax using Form SS-4.
Contact our team before abandoning your application. We frequently work with applicants to identify document substitutes or workarounds. Many applications that appear document-deficient at first glance are fundable with alternative documentation or explanations.