Key Takeaways
- L-1 visa holders operating MC/DOT-registered carriers qualify based on freight revenue
- Truck and trailer financing available — equipment serves as collateral, lowering cost
- Factoring and working capital bridges available for net-30 to net-90 shipper contracts
- SBA 7(a) loans closed to L-1 holders as of March 1, 2026
- Decisions in 48 hours, funding in 3-7 business days
The trucking industry runs on capital efficiency. Owner-operators and small fleet owners live and die by the gap between when a load delivers and when the shipper pays. An L-1B holder with specialized knowledge in logistics operations — or an L-1A regional manager at a multinational freight company who has since started their own MC-registered carrier — understands this dynamic intimately. What they often discover is that their operational sophistication far exceeds their access to working capital.
The freight market generated $905 billion in US revenue in 2024. Within that ecosystem, foreign nationals on work visas are operating tens of thousands of MC-numbered carriers, handling everything from dry van long-haul to last-mile LTL. Their businesses are real, regulated, and generating significant revenue. The obstacle is that every traditional financing channel — SBA loans, bank credit lines, fleet finance programs — defaults to citizenship or permanent residency as a primary eligibility filter.
Bankable funds on freight revenue. If your FMCSA authority is active, your MC number is current, and your business bank statements show real loads being paid, we can fund your fleet.
Trucking Capital Products for L-1 Holders
- Truck and trailer acquisition: Class 8 sleepers, day cabs, refrigerated trailers, flatbeds — asset-backed financing with the vehicle as collateral
- Freight factoring lines: Convert net-30/60/90 invoices into same-day cash. Ideal for L-1 carriers with strong shippers but cash flow timing gaps
- Working capital: Cover fuel, insurance, and driver payroll between loads without depleting reserves
- Fleet expansion: Moving from 3 to 10 trucks requires simultaneous capital deployment for equipment, drivers, and insurance
- Dispatch software and ELD compliance: Samsara, KeepTruckin, and load board subscriptions add $2K-$8K per truck annually
Why L-1 Trucking Operators Get Declined (and Why Bankable Is Different)
The typical bank decline of an L-1 trucking operator follows a predictable script. The loan officer notes the MC number, the revenue, the operating history — then asks for a green card number. When it is not provided, the application closes. Fleet finance programs at manufacturers like Daimler and Paccar often run through the same bank underwriting gatekeepers. Factoring companies are generally more flexible, but their rates are punishing — 3-5% per invoice — for operators without strong business credit.
Bankable's underwriting uses your FMCSA authority status, freight invoice history, and bank statement revenue as the primary qualification metrics. We do not require citizenship, permanent residency, or a cosigner with a green card. An L-1 carrier with 18 months of operating history, $40K+ monthly revenue, and clean bank statements will find a straightforward path to capital at Bankable.
Check your Bankability Score or explore equipment financing options today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. L-1 holders with an active MC number, FMCSA authority, EIN, SSN, and documented freight revenue qualify for Bankable funding. We evaluate your operating history and revenue, not your immigration status.
Bankable considers business revenue as the primary factor. While personal credit is reviewed, a strong revenue history (12+ months, $30K+/month) can offset a limited US credit history. We work with operators at various credit stages.
We connect L-1 operators with factoring facilities that advance 85-95% of invoice value without citizenship requirements. Same-day funding on approved invoices from shippers with creditworthy payment histories.
No minimum fleet size. Owner-operators with a single truck and consistent revenue qualify. Larger fleets with 5+ trucks and $100K+ monthly gross typically qualify for larger facilities and better terms.
Yes. Truck and trailer financing with the vehicle as collateral is available. Down payment requirements vary (typically 10-20%) but green card is not required. The truck's NADA value and your operating history are the key factors.
Your business loan obligation remains regardless of your visa status. The loan is to your business entity, not tied to your visa. If you plan to exit the US, you will need to arrange for a business sale, transfer, or wind-down that addresses outstanding obligations.
Yes. Revolving working capital lines are ideal for fuel and driver pay between invoice collection. Draw when needed, repay when shippers pay. Rates are better than fuel card programs for operators with documented revenue.
Equipment financing decisions arrive within 48 hours. Full funding, including equipment inspection verification, typically completes in 5-10 business days. Rush closings for auction purchases can be arranged in 72 hours.