{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-documentation-is-required-to-verify-a-non-citizen-owner-s-lawful-permanent-r","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/what-specific-documentation-is-required-to-verify-a-non-citizen-owner-s-lawful-permanent-r","question":"What specific documentation is required to verify a non-citizen owner's lawful permanent resident status?","topic":"Citizenship/residency","audience":"lender","bot_mode":"lender","short_answer":"Lenders must obtain a copy of the individual's Green Card (Form I-551) and verify its validity with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) through appropriate channels.","rule":"SBA regulations require that all owners of 20% or more of the applicant business be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. For lawful permanent residents, the primary document for verification is the Alien Registration Card, commonly known as a Green Card (Form I-551). Lenders must visually inspect the document and may use the USCIS online system or other official means to confirm its authenticity and current status.","example":"A borrower's application lists an owner with a 25% stake who is a lawful permanent resident. The lender requests a clear copy of the owner's valid Green Card (I-551) and, as part of their due diligence, performs an electronic verification through the USCIS's system to confirm the card's current status and the individual's eligibility.","what_lenders_check":"Verifying lawful permanent resident status is critical for eligibility. Lenders are concerned about fraudulent documents, expired cards, or changes in immigration status that could render an owner ineligible and jeopardize the SBA guaranty.","required_facts":["Green Card (Form I-551)","USCIS verification","Valid status","Owner's percentage","Eligibility"],"source_families":["Policy Notice 5000-876441 - Citizenship and Residency Requirements","Procedural Notice 5000-876626 - Revised Applicant Ownership, Citizenship and Residency","SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs"],"official_sources":[{"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":"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"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"How does the lender verify the eligibility of an applicant who is a lawful permanent resident, including specific documentation requirements?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-lender-verify-the-eligibility-of-an-applicant-who-is-a-lawful-permanent-resid"},{"question":"If a key management employee who is not an owner is a foreign national, does this affect SBA 7(a) loan eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/if-a-key-management-employee-who-is-not-an-owner-is-a-foreign-national-does-this-affect-sb"},{"question":"For a business owned by a trust, what citizenship and residency requirements apply to the trustee for 7(a) eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/for-a-business-owned-by-a-trust-what-citizenship-and-residency-requirements-apply-to-the-t"},{"question":"How does a lender verify the lawful permanent resident status of a non-citizen applicant?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-a-lender-verify-the-lawful-permanent-resident-status-of-a-non-citizen-applicant"},{"question":"What are the citizenship or residency requirements for a 7(a) loan applicant?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-citizenship-or-residency-requirements-for-a-7-a-loan-applicant"},{"question":"Can a non-U.S. citizen individual with an E-2 investor visa be an eligible applicant for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-non-u-s-citizen-individual-with-an-e-2-investor-visa-be-an-eligible-applicant-for-a-"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"Lawful Permanent Resident","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lawful-permanent-resident"},{"term":"Permanent Resident Status","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/permanent-resident-status"},{"term":"Permanent Resident","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/permanent-resident"},{"term":"Qualified non-citizen status","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/qualified-non-citizen-status"},{"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/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-documentation-is-required-to-verify-a-non-citizen-owner-s-lawful-permanent-r","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."]}