Key Takeaways
- L-1B holders with specialized manufacturing knowledge are a natural fit for US manufacturing businesses
- Equipment financing for CNC, injection molding, and production lines is asset-backed and accessible
- SBA manufacturing loans closed to L-1 holders since March 2026 — Bankable is the alternative
- Working capital for raw material purchasing and production cycles available
- Decisions in 48 hours, up to $5M based on production revenue
Manufacturing is one of the most intellectually aligned business categories for L-1B visa holders. The visa exists for workers with specialized knowledge — and in manufacturing, specialized knowledge means understanding precision production processes, material science, quality control systems, and supply chain optimization that foreign competitors have developed over decades. When an L-1B manufacturing specialist leaves their employer to start their own production facility, they bring that specialized knowledge into a US business that creates real jobs and generates real US-source revenue.
These operators find that traditional lenders view manufacturing as a complex sector requiring equipment collateral assessments, environmental reviews, and SBA loan structures — all of which now exclude non-citizens. Bankable approaches manufacturing differently: we evaluate your production revenue, order backlog, customer concentration, and equipment utilization. Your visa is an input we note but do not treat as a disqualifier.
Manufacturing Capital for L-1 Holders
- CNC and precision equipment financing: Haas, Mazak, DMG Mori, and other capital equipment qualifies for asset-backed financing at favorable rates
- Raw material purchasing lines: Steel, aluminum, plastics, and specialty materials for production orders that come in advance of customer payment
- Expansion into larger facilities: Moving from a 5,000 sq ft shop to 20,000 sq ft requires lease deposits, buildout, and equipment relocation capital
- ISO certification costs: Quality management certification (ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949) costs $15K-$75K and is required by most OEM customers
- Working capital for payroll during production cycles: Manufacturing payroll runs bi-weekly; customer payment may lag 30-90 days after delivery
Check your Bankability Score or explore equipment financing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. L-1B holders who have established a US manufacturing business qualify for Bankable funding based on production revenue. We do not require permanent residency. We evaluate your business's financial performance.
CNC machining centers, injection molding machines, press brakes, laser cutters, welding equipment, conveyor systems, and other capital production equipment all qualify. The equipment's NADA or appraised value serves as collateral.
We analyze your order backlog, customer creditworthiness, and historical collection performance. Manufacturing businesses with strong customers on net-60 terms qualify for receivables-based working capital that bridges the payment gap.
Yes. Expansion capital for adding a new production line — equipment, tooling, installation, and operator training — is a common manufacturing use case. We evaluate your existing revenue as the repayment basis.
Typically 70-85% of the equipment's appraised value. A $500K CNC machining center would support $350K-$425K in equipment financing. Down payment of 15-30% is typical.
At least 6 months of documented US business revenue is required. A manufacturing business with existing US customer contracts and bank-verified revenue qualifies. New market entry without revenue history requires alternative qualification approaches.
Yes. Bankable structures combined facilities — equipment financing for the capital equipment plus a working capital line for raw materials and payroll. Both are evaluated together in a single underwriting process.
Government contract manufacturing businesses are strong qualifying profiles. We review the contract terms, payment schedule, and DUNS/SAM registration as part of underwriting. ITAR and EAR compliance does not affect eligibility.