{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/form-i-551","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/form-i-551","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":"form-i-551","term":"Form I-551","aka":"Permanent Resident Card","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"Form I-551 is the official document proving lawful permanent resident status in the U.S., commonly known as a Green Card. If you are a permanent resident, this card is essential for demonstrating your eligibility for an SBA 7(a) loan.","what_it_means":"Lenders require proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency for all principals guaranteeing an SBA loan. Your Form I-551 serves as this proof. Make sure your card is valid and unexpired as part of your borrower documentation package.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/form-i-551","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":"qualified-alien","term":"Qualified Alien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/qualified-alien"},{"slug":"uscis","term":"USCIS","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/uscis"},{"slug":"personal-financial-statement","term":"Personal financial statement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-financial-statement"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What is the primary purpose of SBA Form 1919, 'Borrower Information Form'?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-primary-purpose-of-sba-form-1919-borrower-information-form"},{"question":"When must an applicant update their SBA Form 1919, Borrower Information Form, during underwriting?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-must-an-applicant-update-their-sba-form-1919-borrower-information-form-during-underwr"},{"question":"When is an Environmental Questionnaire (Form 1081) sufficient for real estate collateral, without a Phase I ESA?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-an-environmental-questionnaire-form-1081-sufficient-for-real-estate-collateral-wit"},{"question":"When is an Environmental Questionnaire (SBA Form 1081) sufficient for real estate collateral, without a Phase I ESA?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-an-environmental-questionnaire-sba-form-1081-sufficient-for-real-estate-collateral"},{"question":"What is the primary purpose of SBA Form 1919 (Borrower Information Form) in 7(a) loan processing?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-primary-purpose-of-sba-form-1919-borrower-information-form-in-7-a-loan-process"},{"question":"What is the importance of the SBA Form 1919 (Borrower Information Form) in the 7(a) loan application process?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-importance-of-the-sba-form-1919-borrower-information-form-in-the-7-a-loan-appl"}]},"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 — Form I-551","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/form-i-551","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}