Do I need to be a U.S. resident?

No. You don't need to be a U.S. resident to apply. Your company must be formed and registered in the United States (or a U.S. territory) and have current or planned business operations in the U.S. Your principal place of business must be a valid physical address. Founders, owners, and authorized signers may be located outside the U.S., as long as they are not subject to sanctions or located in prohibited jurisdictions.