SBA loan basics
Short answer
Yes, a permanent resident (also known as a Qualified Alien) can be eligible for an SBA 7(a) loan, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria and reside in the U.S.
To be eligible for an SBA loan, owners of 20% or more of the business must be U.S. citizens or Qualified Aliens. Qualified Aliens include those with a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), refugees, asylees, and certain other non-citizens with specific legal statuses, as defined by immigration law.
Maria, a permanent resident with a Green Card, owns 100% of a restaurant business. She applies for an SBA 7(a) loan for expansion. As a Qualified Alien residing in the U.S., she meets the citizenship/residency requirement for eligibility.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
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.
More on eligibility & owners
Terms in this answer
Pre-qualify your SBA 7(a) deal
Tell us the business, the price, and where you are — we'll point you to the lenders most likely to fund a deal like yours and flag anything that trips up approval.
Free · No documents · Usually same-day