For SBA lenders
Short answer
No, generally, only U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) are considered eligible owners for an SBA 7(a) loan. Other visa types do not typically satisfy this requirement.
SBA policy specifies that a business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or LPRs. While other visa types (e.g., E-2, H-1B, L-1) allow individuals to legally reside and work in the U.S., they do not confer LPR status. Therefore, individuals holding these visas cannot be counted towards the majority ownership requirement for eligibility.
A business has two owners, one a U.S. citizen with 40% ownership, and the other an H-1B visa holder with 60% ownership. The lender would determine the business ineligible because the majority owner is not a U.S. citizen or LPR.
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
Last checked 2026-06-13. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-13. DealRoom analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records (FY2020–present). Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against the official sources above before relying on it for a live deal. Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision.
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