# Are naturalized and dual citizens eligible for SBA loans?

**Short answer:** Naturalized U.S. citizens are eligible with no special restrictions. A dual citizen is eligible unless the other citizenship would make the deal ineligible. In that case the lender should confirm that country no longer regards the person as a citizen (SBA Information Notice 5000-877673, question 4).

Canonical page: https://www.sbaexpress.loans/answers/are-naturalized-and-dual-citizens-eligible-for-sba-loans/
Last checked: 2026-11-08

Yes, with one catch for dual citizens. SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. A, Ch. 1, Para. F says businesses owned by naturalized citizens are eligible, with no special restrictions. No further verification is needed if the person is shown as a U.S. citizen on the application.

## Dual citizens

Information Notice 5000-877673, question 4 (March 31, 2026) covers this. Some dual citizenships would otherwise make a deal ineligible. In that case, the lender should confirm the other country no longer regards the person as a citizen. The lender should document that in the file.

## Which country raises the issue

Appendix 3 lists citizens of the People's Republic of China or the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong as Ineligible Persons. That is the only country-based category named in the definition. The definition says it is not limited to the listed groups, so ask your lender about any other citizenship. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) listings apply regardless of country.

## Principal residence still applies

A naturalized or dual citizen must also have a principal residence in the United States, its territories or possessions.

## What the lender certifies

The lender enters 100% of direct and indirect owners in the SBA loan system. It must certify that, to the best of its knowledge, none is an Ineligible Person.

## Sources

- [SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. A, Ch. 1, Para. F (pp. 28-29)](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)
- [SBA Information Notice 5000-877673, question 4 (March 31, 2026)](https://legacy.sba.gov/document/information-notice-5000-877673-guidance-frequently-asked-questions-related-recent-sba-procedural-notices)
- [SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 3, Ineligible Person (about p. 300)](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)