Key Takeaways
- Legal work authorization (any category) plus SSN equals Bankable eligibility
- Work authorization is verified through SSN — no visa documentation required
- From day-laborer compliance to Fortune 500-scale operations, work authorization spans all levels
- Over 11 million non-citizens hold legal work authorization in the US
- Bankable funds all work-authorized non-citizens based on business revenue — not their immigration history
Work-authorized non-citizen business funding starts with a simple premise: if the United States government has determined that you are legally authorized to work here and has issued you a Social Security Number, you are participating in the US economy. Your business should have access to capital on the same basis as any other participant in that economy.
Work authorization in the United States is granted through multiple pathways — visa categories administered by the State Department and USCIS, Employment Authorization Documents issued under INA 274a.12, DACA administrative deferrals, TPS designations, asylum grants, and other mechanisms. Each pathway reflects a government determination that the individual's presence and economic participation benefits the United States. Bankable's funding philosophy is simply a commercial recognition of that same determination.
The 11 Million: Who Has Work Authorization Without a Green Card
The work-authorized non-citizen population in the United States is substantial, diverse, and economically significant:
- H-category workers: H-1B specialty occupation (~600K), H-2A agricultural (~350K), H-2B non-agricultural (~100K), H-4 EAD (~90K)
- L-category workers: L-1A managers (~100K), L-1B specialized knowledge (~100K)
- Professional visa holders: TN (~200K), O-1 (~40K), E-1/E-2 (~75K), P-category performers (~30K)
- Student workers: F-1 OPT/STEM OPT (~300K), J-1 exchange visitors with work authorization (~100K)
- Protected status holders: DACA (~580K), TPS (~700K), asylee/asylum (~350K)
- Adjustment pending: AOS EAD holders (~1.5M+)
- Other EAD categories: Refugee, Cuban/Haitian entrant, battered spouse, and others (~400K)
Building Your Bankable Profile
Work-authorized non-citizens building toward Bankable funding should focus on three areas:
- Business banking history: 6+ months of consistent deposits in a dedicated business checking account. This is the single most important piece of documentation.
- Business credit building: Establish a DUNS number, get net-30 vendor accounts, and use a business credit card. Bankable reports to business credit bureaus, helping build your profile from day one.
- Revenue documentation: Keep clean books. Use accounting software (QuickBooks, Wave, FreshBooks). Filed tax returns (even if showing losses) demonstrate operational legitimacy.
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 |
Your work authorization is your legal right to participate in the American economy. Bankable's funding is how your business participates at scale. Check your Bankability Score today and access capital that matches your business's actual potential — not your immigration status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any authorization to work legally in the United States — whether from a visa category (H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, etc.), an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), DACA, TPS designation, asylum status, or any other government-issued work authorization that comes with an SSN.
Through standard identity verification using your SSN and government-issued photo ID. We do not require visa documentation, I-94 records, or immigration court documents. If you have an SSN and can verify your identity, you meet Bankable's immigration-related requirements.
If you have valid work authorization (an active EAD or visa) and an SSN, you can apply. Bankable does not adjudicate immigration matters. If your work authorization lapses during a loan term, that creates a business and legal issue you should discuss with an immigration attorney.
All work authorization categories that result in SSN issuance are accepted. If you have questions about your specific category, contact Bankable's team. In most cases, if USCIS or DOS issued your authorization and SSA issued your SSN, you qualify.