If you have an ITIN instead of an SSN, the best short-term loans are the ones that care more about your sales than your ID number. Merchant Fund Express, our recommended funder, accepts applicants with an ITIN (no SSN needed), reviews sales and deposits and offers Spanish-speaking support. The Bluevine line of credit says it accepts an ITIN along with an EIN. PayPal Working Capital and Square Loans work if you already get paid through those platforms, and SBA microloans or a local CDFI are the cheapest route if you qualify and have time.
An ITIN is a nine-digit number the IRS issues to people who need to file federal taxes but cannot get an SSN. The IRS itself makes clear the ITIN is for tax purposes only: it does not change your immigration status or authorize you to work. To a funder, what matters is that your business is real, deposits its sales and can repay. We checked each option on its official site in October 2026. Leer en español.
Key takeaways
- With an ITIN, your business bank statements weigh more than your ID number.
- Our recommended funder accepts ITIN applicants with no SSN, reviews sales and deposits, considers credit from FICO 500 and offers Spanish-speaking support.
- Bluevine publishes that it accepts an SSN or ITIN, plus an EIN, for its line of credit.
- PayPal and Square lend only to businesses that already get paid through them, based on that sales history.
- SBA 7(a) and 504 loans are not an option if any owner is not a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
- Have your EIN, your current ITIN letter and 3 to 6 months of bank statements ready before you apply.
The best options, ranked
- Merchant Fund Express (recommended funder). For businesses that already sell and deposit, and need the money within days. It offers $5,000 to $5,000,000, decisions often in 2 to 4 hours, and considers credit from FICO 500; stronger credit and cash flow usually bring better offers. It reviews sales and deposits, does not require collateral in most cases, and applying is free and does not affect your credit. It accepts applicants with an ITIN, no SSN needed, and support is available in Spanish.
- Bluevine line of credit. Up to $250,000 on a line you draw from only as needed. It asks for 12+ months in business, $10,000 in monthly revenue, FICO 625+, an LLC or corporation, no bankruptcies and good standing with the state. Its site says you can apply with an SSN or ITIN, plus an EIN, and that it reports your payments to Experian, which helps build business credit.
- PayPal Working Capital. $1,000 to $250,000 (up to $400,000 for repeat customers), with a single fixed fee and repayment as a percentage of your PayPal sales. It requires a PayPal Business or Premier account open 90+ days and a minimum of annual PayPal sales. According to its site, the offer is based on your PayPal history rather than a personal credit review. Ask which IDs it accepts when you sign up.
- Square Loans. Invitation-only offers from $100 to $500,000 for businesses that process with Square. You repay with a fixed percentage of your daily card sales, applying does not affect your credit and there is no collateral up to $100,000. If an offer shows up in your Square dashboard, it is one of the simplest to take.
- SBA microloans and local CDFIs. The SBA funds nonprofit community organizations that lend up to $50,000, with terms up to seven years and rates that generally run 8% to 13%. Each lender sets its own ID requirements, so ask about the ITIN on the first call. They cost less but move slower.
Quick comparison
| Option | Amounts | ITIN | Key requirement | How you repay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merchant Fund Express | $5,000-$5,000,000 | Yes, no SSN needed; Spanish-speaking support | Sales and deposits; FICO 500+ | Depends on the offer |
| Bluevine (line) | Up to $250,000 | Yes, with an EIN | 12 months, $10,000 a month, FICO 625+, LLC or corporation | Automatic payments on each draw |
| PayPal Working Capital | $1,000-$250,000 | Not stated | Business or Premier account, 90 days, PayPal sales | Percentage of PayPal sales, with a minimum every 90 days |
| Square Loans | $100-$500,000 | Not stated | Process with Square; by invitation | Fixed percentage of daily card sales |
| SBA microloan / CDFI | Up to $50,000 | Depends on the lender | Plan and documents | Monthly installments |
"Not stated" means the official site does not say whether it accepts an ITIN; do not assume yes or no.
How we rank
We do not hand out ratings or scores. We compare on checkable criteria: speed, minimum time in business, minimum credit, ITIN acceptance or owners without an SSN, documents, amounts and collateral. If we could not confirm a detail on the official site, we left it out. Read the method in how we rank business funding options.
On this list we gave extra weight to two things: whether the option says clearly which IDs it accepts, and whether repayment adapts to uneven sales, which is very common for immigrant-owned businesses that depend on seasons.
Which option fits your case
- You are in a hurry and deposit sales every week: start with the recommended funder and get the offer in writing.
- You have an LLC with an EIN, a year in business and 625+ credit: a line of credit lets you draw only what you need and pay interest only on what you use.
- You sell online through PayPal or in your shop with Square: check first whether you already have an offer inside that platform; repayment adjusts to your sales.
- You need less than $50,000 and can wait a few weeks: call a community lender in your area and ask about the ITIN on the first call.
- Your business is less than six months old: almost every option will be limited; focus on depositing every sale and building history before you ask for large amounts.
Short-term money with an ITIN: what to expect on cost and repayment
Short-term financing is repaid in months, not years, and it almost always costs more than a bank loan. With an ITIN, the first offer is sometimes shorter or smaller, especially if your business is new or your credit history is thin. Watch three things:
- Payment frequency: daily, weekly or monthly. A daily payment in a business that gets paid every two weeks can choke your cash flow.
- How the cost is expressed: interest rate, flat fee or factor rate. Ask for the total cost in writing and compare it across offers.
- Early repayment: if you pay early, do you save anything or is the cost the same?
A useful rule: use short-term money for something that pays for itself quickly, like inventory that already has a buyer or materials for a job with a deposit. For all the variations, see our complete guide to short-term business financing.
Documents to apply with an ITIN
- Your IRS ITIN letter (CP565), and confirm the number has not expired. The IRS lets you renew it if it expired and you need to file taxes.
- Valid photo ID, such as a passport or consular ID, depending on what each funder accepts.
- Your business EIN and LLC or corporation documents, if you have them.
- Business bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months, with all sales deposited.
- Your most recent tax return filed with your ITIN.
- Business licenses and proof of address.
More detail in documents needed to apply with an ITIN. If you want a broader list of options, not just short-term ones, see funders that accept an ITIN.
ITIN and SBA loans: what changed in 2026
Since March 1, 2026 (SBA Procedural Notice 5000-876626 and SOP 50 10 8), 100% of the direct and indirect owners of a business applying for an SBA 7(a) or 504 loan must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals whose principal residence is in the U.S. That rules out owners with an ITIN and permanent residents as well. SBA microloans are made by community organizations that set their own requirements, so ask them directly.
We recommend you talk to an immigration attorney about your personal situation; this page only explains financing requirements.
Common ITIN mistakes
- Getting paid in cash and not depositing it. To a funder, what is not in the bank does not exist.
- Using your personal account for the business. Open a business account with your EIN and run every sale through it.
- Letting your ITIN expire. An expired ITIN can stall your application.
- Paying someone who promises approval with an ITIN. Nobody can promise that; be wary of upfront fees.
- Taking the first offer without comparing. Get at least two and compare the total cost and the payment frequency.
When you are ready to see what you qualify for, you can apply with Merchant Fund Express. It is free, uses your ITIN and does not affect your credit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a short-term business loan with an ITIN and no Social Security number?
Yes, there are options. Some funders evaluate your sales and deposits more than your ID number; our recommended funder accepts ITIN applicants with no SSN needed, and Bluevine publishes that it accepts an ITIN plus an EIN for its line of credit. SBA 7(a) and 504 loans are no longer an option if any owner is not a citizen or national.
Will a funder help me in Spanish if I have an ITIN?
Some will. Our recommended funder offers Spanish-speaking support, accepts ITIN applicants, reviews your sales and deposits as well as your credit, considers scores from 500 and often decides in 2 to 4 hours. For other lenders, only count on Spanish support if their official site says so.
Do I need an LLC to get financing with an ITIN?
Not always, but it helps. Some options, like the Bluevine line of credit, require the business to be an LLC or corporation. An LLC with an EIN and its own bank account keeps your finances separate and makes it easier for a funder to see the business's sales.
Does having an ITIN affect how much I get approved for?
What affects the amount most is your sales, deposit history, time in business and credit, not the type of number. With an ITIN you may have a shorter credit history, and that sometimes lowers the first offer. Paying on time helps you get better terms later.
Which is cheaper with an ITIN: a microloan or an online loan?
In general, a microloan from a community organization costs less, but it asks for more paperwork, sometimes a business plan, and takes longer. Online financing is faster and more flexible, but more expensive. If you are not in a hurry, start with the community option.
Can a funder ask about my immigration status?
Each funder decides which IDs it accepts, and some programs require citizenship or residency. According to the IRS, an ITIN does not change or prove your immigration status. If you have questions about your case, talk to an immigration attorney before you sign any statement.