SBA rules · SOP 50 10 8.1

Can a U.S. citizen living abroad get an SBA loan?

No, a small business cannot qualify for an SBA loan if an owner has their principal residence outside the United States, unless that owner completely divests before the SBA loan number is issued.

Quoted from SBA SOP 50 10 8.1Every quote checked word for word

In detail

Residency requirement: SBA financing is restricted to applicants where 100% of direct and indirect owners and SBA-required guarantors are U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals who maintain their Principal Residence in the United States, its territories, or possessions.
Ineligible Person status: Any individual, including a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National, who has their Principal Residence outside the United States, its territories, or possessions is classified as an Ineligible Person.
Divestiture requirement: If any direct or indirect owner is an Ineligible Person, no loan may be made unless the individual completely divests their ownership interest prior to the date of issuance of the SBA loan number, subject to the six-month lookback rule.

The source

What the SOP says

“SBA financing is limited to business Applicants with 100% direct and/or indirect owners and SBA-required guarantors, all of whom must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals who have their Principal Residence in the United States, its territories, or possessions.

SOP 50 10 8.1, Chapter 1: Primary Applicant Eligibility Requirements > Citizenship And Residency Requirements (lines 530-532)✓ Verified

“An individual (including U.S. Citizens and U.S. Nationals) who has their Principal Residence outside of the United States, its territories, or possessions;

SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 3: Definitions > Indirect Export (lines 4326-4335)✓ Verified

“No loan may be made if any direct or indirect owner or SBA-required guarantor is an Ineligible Person.

SOP 50 10 8.1, Chapter 1: Primary Applicant Eligibility Requirements > Citizenship And Residency Requirements (lines 530-532)✓ Verified

“If a direct or indirect owner is an Ineligible Person, the business is ineligible unless the Ineligible Person completely divests their ownership prior to the date of issuance of the SBA loan number.

SOP 50 10 8.1, Chapter 1: Primary Applicant Eligibility Requirements > Direct/Indirect Owners (lines 533-537)✓ Verified

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