In a March 9, 2026 policy notice, the SBA banned businesses with any foreign-national ownership from all SBA-guaranteed programs, including 7(a), 504, Microloan, and Surety Bond. Applicants' owners must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals with a principal U.S. residence; even partial foreign ownership disqualifies a business, effective roughly 30 days after publication.
Why this matters for founders
Founders planning to use SBA financing should confirm 100% U.S.-citizen/national ownership before applying — a single non-citizen co-owner now blocks the loan.
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