{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/employment-authorization-document","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/employment-authorization-document","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":"employment-authorization-document","term":"Employment authorization document","aka":"EAD","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A document issued by USCIS that proves a non-citizen is authorized to work in the U.S. This is distinct from Lawful Permanent Residence.","what_it_means":"While an EAD allows you to work, it is generally NOT sufficient for SBA loan eligibility. The SBA typically requires borrowers who are not U.S. citizens to hold Lawful Permanent Residence (a Green Card) to secure a 7(a) loan. Don't confuse the two.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/employment-authorization-document","official_sources":[{"slug":"13-cfr-part-120","title":"13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans","official_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120","official_label":"View on eCFR","authority_tier":1,"publisher":"Office of the Federal Register","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/13-cfr-part-120"},{"slug":"sba-form-1919","title":"SBA Form 1919 — Borrower Information Form","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form-1919-borrower-information-form","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":4,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sba-form-1919"}],"related":[{"slug":"lawful-permanent-residence","term":"Lawful Permanent Residence","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lawful-permanent-residence"},{"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":"What is an SBA *loan authorization* document, and why is it important?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-an-sba-loan-authorization-document-and-why-is-it-important"},{"question":"How must a lender document the chosen base rate for a variable rate 7(a) loan in the loan authorization?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-must-a-lender-document-the-chosen-base-rate-for-a-variable-rate-7-a-loan-in-the-loan-a"},{"question":"If a seller note is on standby, is the seller prohibited from any post-sale employment with the business?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-a-seller-note-is-on-standby-is-the-seller-prohibited-from-any-post-sale-employment-with"},{"question":"How does a lender ensure the loan authorization precisely matches final closing documents to avoid guaranty repair?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-ensure-the-loan-authorization-precisely-matches-final-closing-documents-"},{"question":"How does a lender ensure the loan covenants in the authorization are accurately reflected in the loan documents?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-ensure-the-loan-covenants-in-the-authorization-are-accurately-reflected-"},{"question":"What documentation is required to amend a 7(a) loan authorization for a change in project costs?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-documentation-is-required-to-amend-a-7-a-loan-authorization-for-a-change-in-project-c"}]},"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 — Employment authorization document","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/employment-authorization-document","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}