{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/work-authorization","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/work-authorization","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":"work-authorization","term":"Work authorization","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"Official permission for a non-citizen to work legally in the United States. It's typically granted by USCIS and documented with specific forms.","what_it_means":"If you, as the buyer, are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you must demonstrate valid work authorization for SBA loan eligibility. The SBA requires proof, often your Form I-551 (Green Card) or other USCIS documentation.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/work-authorization","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"},{"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"}],"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":"form-i-551","term":"Form I-551","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/form-i-551"},{"slug":"key-principal","term":"Key principal","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/key-principal"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What exactly is an SBA 7(a) loan and how does it work?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-exactly-is-an-sba-7-a-loan-and-how-does-it-work"},{"question":"What is an SBA 7(a) loan and how does it generally work?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-an-sba-7-a-loan-and-how-does-it-generally-work"},{"question":"Does my past work experience matter when applying for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-my-past-work-experience-matter-when-applying-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What exactly is an SBA 7(a) loan, and how does it work for small businesses?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-exactly-is-an-sba-7-a-loan-and-how-does-it-work-for-small-businesses"},{"question":"What if my business is purchasing a franchise; how does that work with an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-if-my-business-is-purchasing-a-franchise-how-does-that-work-with-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Is an individual without permanent resident status, but with a valid U.S. work visa, eligible for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/is-an-individual-without-permanent-resident-status-but-with-a-valid-u-s-work-visa-eligible"}]},"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 — Work authorization","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/work-authorization","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}