The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has updated its citizenship requirements for the Microloan Program.
Effective April 1, 2026, SBA revised its Microloan Program Standard Operating Procedure to address eligibility requirements for businesses owned by non-U.S. citizens. The updated policy notice, issued in March, provides revised guidance on citizenship requirements for Microloan Program applicants.
SBA announced the change on March 9, 2026, stating that the updated requirements apply to the agency’s Microloan Program as well as its Surety Bond Program. Under the new policy, small business owners applying for SBA loan programs must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals with their principal residence in the United States.
The Microloan Program provides loans of up to $50,000 through SBA-funded nonprofit intermediary lenders. These intermediaries work directly with small business borrowers and also provide management and technical assistance.
SBA’s updated Microloan Program guidance is available in Policy Notice 5000-877232, which took effect April 1, 2026.
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