{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-a-non-u-s-citizen-who-is-a-lawful-permanent-resident-apply-for-an-sba-7-a-loan","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/can-a-non-u-s-citizen-who-is-a-lawful-permanent-resident-apply-for-an-sba-7-a-loan","question":"Can a non-U.S. citizen, who is a lawful permanent resident, apply for an SBA 7(a) loan?","topic":"Eligibility & citizenship","audience":"new","bot_mode":"buyer","short_answer":"Yes, a non-U.S. citizen who holds a valid Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card) status is generally eligible to apply for an SBA 7(a) loan, provided they meet all other program requirements.","rule":"The SBA requires that all owners of 20% or more of the applicant business be either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Non-citizens must provide documentation of their lawful permanent resident status, such as a Green Card, to be eligible as a borrower or guarantor.","example":"A business with two owners, one a U.S. citizen and the other a lawful permanent resident with a Green Card, would meet the citizenship/residency requirement for the owners. However, if the second owner only had a temporary work visa, they would typically not be eligible.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders must verify the citizenship or lawful permanent resident status of all 20%+ owners. They require official documentation (e.g., U.S. passport, Green Card) to ensure compliance with SBA's eligibility rules, as this is a fundamental requirement.","required_facts":["Lawful Permanent Resident","Green Card","Non-U.S. citizen","20% owner","Citizenship/residency"],"source_families":["SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","Policy Notice 5000-876441 - Citizenship and Residency Requirements","Procedural Notice 5000-876626 - Revised Applicant Ownership, Citizenship and Residency","13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans"],"official_sources":[{"title":"SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/SOP%2050%2010%208%20Technical%20Updates%20effective%206.1.2025.docx"},{"title":"Policy Notice 5000-876441 - Citizenship and Residency Requirements","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/Policy%20Notice%205000-876441%20-%20Update%20to%20Citizenship%20and%20Residency%20Requirements%20and%20Recission%20of%20PN%2050000-872050.pdf"},{"title":"Procedural Notice 5000-876626 - Revised Applicant Ownership, Citizenship and Residency","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/Procedural%20Notice%205000-876626%20-%20Revised%20Applicant%20Ownership%20Citizenship%20and%20Residency%20%20OFA%202.11.pdf"},{"title":"13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Do I need to be a US citizen or permanent resident to get an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/do-i-need-to-be-a-us-citizen-or-permanent-resident-to-get-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to get an SBA 7(a) loan for my business?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/do-i-need-to-be-a-u-s-citizen-to-get-an-sba-7-a-loan-for-my-business"},{"question":"Can a business with owners who are not U.S. citizens apply for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-a-business-with-owners-who-are-not-u-s-citizens-apply-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"Lawful Permanent Resident","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lawful-permanent-resident"},{"term":"U.S. citizen","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/u-s-citizen"},{"term":"U.S. non-citizen national","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/u-s-non-citizen-national"},{"term":"Permanent Resident","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/permanent-resident"},{"term":"Lawful permanent residency","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lawful-permanent-residency"},{"term":"Lawful Permanent Residence","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lawful-permanent-residence"}],"related_tools":[{"name":"SBA 7(a) payment & fee calculator","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/calculator"},{"name":"Find an active SBA 7(a) lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/lenders"}],"data_freshness":{"last_reviewed":"2026-06-13","sba_rule_sources_checked_through":"2026-06-13"},"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so SBA 7(a) Q&A","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-a-non-u-s-citizen-who-is-a-lawful-permanent-resident-apply-for-an-sba-7-a-loan","source_type":"DealRoom Q&A"},"caveats":["Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against official sources before relying on it for a live deal.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice and not an approval decision."]}