Key Takeaways
- Revenue-based repayment protects cash flow during slow periods — no fixed payment pressure
- Non-citizens (any SSN category) evaluated on revenue history, not immigration history
- Tranche-based approach: start smaller, build credit, unlock larger funding rounds
- Repayment percentage typically 5-20% of monthly revenue based on funding size
- All industries, all visa types, all revenue levels over $10,000/month
Revenue funding for non-citizens aligns capital repayment with business reality — an alignment that matters especially for the seasonal restaurants, weather-dependent landscaping businesses, project-based construction firms, and other non-citizen-owned businesses whose revenue is inherently variable. A fixed monthly payment that made sense in a strong month becomes a cash flow crisis in a slow one. Revenue-based repayment eliminates that problem by design.
For H-1B holders managing technology consulting firms with project-based billing, DACA entrepreneurs running catering businesses with seasonal peaks, TPS holders operating landscaping companies with weather dependencies, and every other non-citizen business owner navigating variable revenue, Bankable's revenue funding structure is the most business-aligned capital available in the 2026 market.
SBA Loans vs. Traditional Banks vs. Bankable
The March 1, 2026 SBA rule change eliminated all non-citizen, non-national applicants from SBA 7(a) and 504 programs. Here is how your options compare:
| Factor | SBA 7(a) (Pre-2026) | Traditional Bank | Bankable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Card Required? | No (changed Mar 1, 2026) | Usually yes | Never |
| Citizenship Required? | Yes (as of Mar 1, 2026) | Sometimes | No |
| SSN Accepted? | N/A (citizenship required) | Rarely alone | Yes — primary requirement |
| Decision Speed | 30-90 days | 30-60 days | 48 hours |
| Max Funding | $5M (if eligible) | Varies | Up to $5M |
| Collateral | Required | Required | Revenue-based, minimal |
| Min. Revenue | Varies | $500K+ | $120K annual |
Structuring Your Revenue Funding
Bankable structures revenue funding based on three months of your average monthly revenue. A business averaging $50,000 per month might receive $75,000-$100,000 in funding (1.5-2x monthly revenue), repaid at 12% of monthly revenue over approximately 12-18 months. The specific structure depends on your revenue consistency, industry, and credit profile — all determined through the Bankability Score assessment process.
Non-citizen entrepreneurs should begin their revenue funding journey at our Bankability Score page. The five-minute assessment generates a personalized funding analysis and connects you with the appropriate capital structure for your business stage and visa category — with a funding decision in 48 hours and no green card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
A traditional business loan has fixed monthly payments regardless of revenue. Revenue funding has payments that flex with your revenue — you pay 10% of $30,000 in a slow month ($3,000) and 10% of $80,000 in a strong month ($8,000). Total repayment is the same, but the timing adapts to your business reality.
Revenue funding effective rates are generally higher than traditional bank loans but often lower than merchant cash advances. The flexibility premium — the ability to scale payments with revenue — has real value, especially for seasonal businesses or those in growth phases with variable income.
Typical terms are 6 to 36 months depending on funding size and repayment percentage. Strong revenue months accelerate payoff; slow months extend it slightly. Most businesses repay within the projected term window.