Skip to main content

2.0

SBA reduces eligibility for Small Business Administration 7(a) and 504 loan programs

  1. Original Date Announced

    December 19, 2025

    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced revisions to the Standard Operating Procedure for the Lender and Development Company Loan Programs with Technical Updates, which contains SBA’s loan origination policies and procedures governing the 7(a) and 504 loan programs. The revisions allow a borrower to have up to 5% ownership by foreign nationals, U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or legal permanent residents whose principal residence is outside of the United States, and noncitizens with conditional LPR status. The revisions also expand the definition of “Ineligible Person” to include foreign entities and individuals with principal residence in or citizenship in China and Hong Kong.

    Trump 2.0 [ID #2121]

    2025.12.19 SBA Policy Notice 5000-872050 - Update to Citizenship and Residency Requirements
  2. Effective Date

    January 1, 2026
  3. Subsequent Trump and Court Action

    February 2, 2026

    2026.02.02 SBA Policy Notice 5000-876441 - Update to Citizenship and Residency Requirements and Recission of PN 50000-872050

    The SBA announced that, as of March 1, 2026, it is requiring that "100% of all direct and/or indirect owners of a small business [loan] applicant be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals who have their Principal Residence in the United States, its territories, or possessions." Additionally, legal permanent residents will not be eligible to own any percentage interest in an Applicant/Borrower, Operating Company, or Eligible Passive Company.

    The notice rescinds SBA Procedural Notice 500-872050, the original policy action abvove, removing the narrow exception that allowed a borrower to have up to 5% ownership held by foreign nationals, or U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or legal permanent residents whose principal residents were outside the United States.

    View Document

Current Status

None

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Agency Directive
Subject Matter: Citizenship
Agencies Affected: Other

To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com