Do I need to be a US citizen for supplier diversity certification?

Citizenship rules differ by certifier, and the most common assumption, that every federal program requires citizenship, is wrong for veteran certification.

8(a) Business Development. SBA requires the firm to be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Firms owned by tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, Native Hawaiian Organizations and Community Development Corporations follow separate rules.

HUBZone. At least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, or by a Community Development Corporation, agricultural cooperative, Alaska Native Corporation, Native Hawaiian Organization or Indian tribe.

WOSB and EDWOSB. At least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens. A woman who is a lawful permanent resident cannot be a qualifying owner for the federal WOSB program, even if she holds a WBENC certificate.

VetCert (VOSB and SDVOSB). 13 CFR 128.200 requires at least 51% ownership and control by one or more veterans, or service-disabled veterans for SDVOSB, who reside in the United States. It sets no citizenship requirement. For a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled who cannot manage daily operations, a spouse or permanent caregiver who lives in the United States may fill that role.

NMSDC MBE. NMSDC defines a minority group member as a U.S. citizen who is Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic or Native American, and asks for proof of citizenship for at least 51% of the ownership.

WBENC WBE. WBENC requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence for the women who make up the majority ownership.

NGLCC, Disability:IN and NaVOBA. Their published certification pages do not state a citizenship rule. Disability:IN asks that the business be headquartered in the country where you apply, and NaVOBA certifies businesses at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by U.S. military veterans. Confirm directly with each certifier before you apply.

State and local programs. Rules vary by program; read the certifying agency's own requirements.

If you are a lawful permanent resident. WBENC WBE is open to you if you are a woman majority owner. If you are a veteran living in the United States, VetCert is open to you. 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and NMSDC MBE require citizenship of the qualifying owners. Each certifier decides your application.

Dual citizens. These rules ask whether the owner is a U.S. citizen; none of the texts above disqualifies an owner for holding a second citizenship.