Glossary · People and paperwork
U.S. citizen
In short
A U.S. citizen is a person born in the U.S. or naturalized. As an SBA loan applicant, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. non-citizen national, or Qualified Alien.
What it means in a deal
All key principals owning 20% or more of the business must meet this citizenship or residency requirement to be eligible for an SBA 7(a) loan. You'll provide proof of status, such as a passport or birth certificate, during the application process.
Official sources
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Related terms
Common questions about U.S. citizen
- When can a business with a non-citizen spouse of a U.S. citizen owner be eligible?
- How does a lender confirm an owner's U.S. citizenship if they were born in a U.S. territory or abroad to U.S. parents?
- Are funds from a non-U.S. citizen or non-resident investor acceptable for equity injection?
- Can gift funds from a non-U.S. citizen parent be used for my equity injection?
- Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to get an SBA 7(a) loan?
- Can I apply for an SBA 7(a) loan if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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