{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/declaration-of-intent","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/declaration-of-intent","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"declaration-of-intent","term":"Declaration of Intent","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"This is a formal statement signed by a foreign national borrower indicating their intention to become a U.S. citizen. The SBA requires this if you are a 'Qualified Alien' but not yet a permanent resident.","what_it_means":"If you meet the SBA's 'Qualified Alien' definition but don't have permanent resident status, you must sign a Declaration of Intent to become a U.S. citizen. This document is a critical part of your eligibility package. Your lender will guide you on the specific form and requirements during underwriting.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/declaration-of-intent","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"}],"related":[{"slug":"permanent-resident-status","term":"Permanent Resident Status","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/permanent-resident-status"},{"slug":"qualified-alien","term":"Qualified Alien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/qualified-alien"},{"slug":"uscis","term":"USCIS","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/uscis"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can I use a secured personal line of credit as part of my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-i-use-a-secured-personal-line-of-credit-as-part-of-my-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can a seller-financed portion of the sale be considered part of my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-a-seller-financed-portion-of-the-sale-be-considered-part-of-my-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can a buyer's assumption of existing business debt count as part of the equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-buyer-s-assumption-of-existing-business-debt-count-as-part-of-the-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can I use funds from a personal line of credit as part of my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-i-use-funds-from-a-personal-line-of-credit-as-part-of-my-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can funds from an unsecured personal line of credit be considered part of my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-funds-from-an-unsecured-personal-line-of-credit-be-considered-part-of-my-equity-inject"},{"question":"Do all owners of an acquiring business, regardless of ownership percentage, need to provide a personal guaranty?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/do-all-owners-of-an-acquiring-business-regardless-of-ownership-percentage-need-to-provide-"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Declaration of Intent","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/declaration-of-intent","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}