Hispanic & Puerto Rican Business
SBA Loans in Puerto Rico
Businesses in Puerto Rico can use the same SBA programs as businesses in the 50 states: 7(a), SBA Express, 504 and Microloans. The SBA has a district office in San Juan that serves Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Programs available on the island
| Program | Maximum | Typical use in Puerto Rico |
|---|---|---|
| 7(a) | $5 million | Working capital, equipment, buying a business |
| SBA Express | $500,000 | Smaller loans, lines of credit |
| 504 | $5 million SBA portion | Buying a building or warehouse, solar and generator installations as part of a property project |
| Microloan | $50,000 | Small and new businesses |
Where to get help
- The SBA Puerto Rico & USVI District Office in San Juan explains programs and lender options.
- The Puerto Rico SBDC network (Small Business and Technology Development Center) offers free, Spanish-language advising across the island.
- SCORE mentors are available online.
See all options in free help in Spanish.
Finding lenders on the island
Fewer lenders operate in Puerto Rico than in large states, so it pays to know who is active. In our lender finder, select Puerto Rico to see banks, credit unions (cooperativas that participate) and CDCs that have funded SBA loans there, ranked by volume. Some stateside lenders also lend in Puerto Rico.
Island-specific tips
- Taxes: your lender will want your Hacienda returns. Make sure business and personal filings are complete and consistent.
- Energy costs and resilience: if your plan includes a generator or solar system, include quotes and explain the savings; lenders understand outage risk on the island.
- Insurance: hurricane and flood coverage requirements can affect cost; get quotes early.
- Property title: title issues can delay real estate loans. Start the title search early.
- Citizenship rule: people born in Puerto Rico meet it. Partners from other countries must be citizens or nationals. See Puerto Ricans and SBA loans.
Take our quiz and select Puerto Rico as your state to see your next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Which SBA loans are available in Puerto Rico?
The same as in the states: 7(a), SBA Express, 504 and Microloans.
Is there an SBA office in Puerto Rico?
Yes. The SBA Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands District Office is in San Juan.
Where can I get free business advising in Puerto Rico?
The Puerto Rico SBDC network offers free advising in Spanish across the island, and SCORE has mentors online.
Take the next step
Find out in 2 minutes whether you might qualify and which lenders are active in your state.
Do I qualify? Find lenders Calculator
Educational information, not legal or financial advice. We are not a lender and are not affiliated with the SBA. Disclaimer