Key Takeaways
- Bankable's requirements are revenue-based — business cash flow is the primary qualification criterion
- US business entity, EIN, US bank account, and SSN are the only administrative requirements
- Green card, permanent residency, and US citizenship are NOT requirements
- Minimum 3 months of US business banking history required; 6–12 months is stronger
- Personal guarantee from the business owner is required for all Bankable products
Understanding the exact requirements to qualify for business funding as an L-1 visa holder in 2026 saves time and frustration. Many L-1 holders have been conditioned by bank rejections to assume they do not qualify for any business financing. Bankable's requirements are designed to be navigable for non-citizen business owners with active US operations. This page gives you the definitive list — what we require, what we do not require, and what makes a strong versus marginal application.
Required: Business Entities and Administration
(1) US Business Entity: A properly formed US LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship. The entity must be legally registered in at least one US state. (2) Employer Identification Number (EIN): The IRS-issued tax ID for your business. Required for every Bankable application. (3) US Business Bank Account: An active business checking account at a US bank where business revenue is deposited. Personal bank accounts used for business are not ideal — a dedicated business account is strongly preferred. (4) Social Security Number: Required for identity verification of the business owner/guarantor. ITIN may qualify for some products.
Required: Financial Documentation
(5) Business Bank Statements: Minimum 3 months, preferred 6–12 months, required 12+ months for loans above $500K. Statements must be official PDF exports from your bank. (6) Personal Guarantee: Every Bankable loan requires a personal guarantee from the primary business owner. This is standard across virtually all small business lending. (7) Business Description: A brief description of what your business does, how it generates revenue, and how you will use the funds.
NOT Required: What Bankable Waives
Bankable does not require: US citizenship or nationality, permanent residency (green card), any immigration documentation, US personal tax returns for loans under $250K, minimum personal credit score (though credit is reviewed), real estate collateral (for most products), co-borrower who is a US citizen, or specified minimum years of US business history (though more history is better). These waivers are what make Bankable accessible when traditional lenders are not. Start the process at our Bankability Score tool and review our full product list to find the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
The core requirements are: a legally formed US business entity, an EIN, a US business bank account with documented revenue, a Social Security Number for identity verification, and a personal guarantee. No green card, citizenship, or immigration documentation is required.
Bankable does not have a fixed minimum time in business, but most products require at least 3 months of US banking history. Stronger applications have 6–12 months of history. Businesses under 3 months old have very limited options across all lenders.
A US credit history helps but is not required. Bankable primarily underwrites on business revenue. Many L-1 holders have limited US personal credit history (especially those who recently transferred), and this alone does not disqualify them. Strong business revenue can compensate for thin credit files.
A personal guarantee is your promise to repay the loan if the business cannot. It makes you personally liable for the debt. Every Bankable loan requires a personal guarantee from the primary business owner. This is standard practice across virtually all small business lending.
Bankable lends to sole proprietorships, though an LLC or corporation provides better personal liability protection and is strongly preferred for any significant borrowing. Sole proprietors must still have an EIN and a separate business bank account. We recommend forming an LLC before applying.
Businesses with less than 6 months of US banking history can still apply. We evaluate whatever history is available and may request additional documentation such as the parent entity's financials, client contracts, or other evidence of business operations and revenue capacity.
Personal net worth is reviewed for larger loan amounts as part of the guarantee assessment. However, it is not the primary underwriting factor. A business owner with strong business revenue but limited personal net worth can still qualify for substantial loans. Personal net worth matters more at the $1M+ level.
Existing debt is evaluated as part of the DSCR calculation. If your existing payments leave sufficient room for additional debt service (maintaining 1.25x DSCR), you can qualify for additional financing. Businesses that are over-leveraged relative to their cash flow may need to address existing debt before qualifying for new loans.
US business tax returns are helpful but not required for loans under $250K. For new businesses that have not yet filed a US return, bank statements and operational documentation provide the primary underwriting basis. For larger loans, tax returns become increasingly important.
Bankable does not fund businesses operating in illegal industries or businesses that violate federal law regardless of state laws. Beyond these absolute restrictions, we evaluate all legal industries. Some industries face higher underwriting scrutiny due to revenue volatility or collateral challenges, but there are no blanket industry exclusions.