OFAC issues general licenses to authorize certain transactions that would otherwise be prohibited pursuant to a particular sanctions program. These general licenses are self-executing, meaning they allow persons to engage in certain transactions involving the United States or U.S. persons without needing to apply for a specific license, provided the transactions meet certain terms and conditions as described in the general license. In addition, some categories of activities, such as personal communications and transactions ordinarily incident to travel, may be exempt from sanctions in certain programs. Subject to sanctions program-specific considerations, non-U.S. persons do not generally risk being sanctioned for engaging in or facilitating transactions for which a U.S. person would not require a specific license.
If you seek to engage in a prohibited transaction involving a U.S. person or blocked property and there is no applicable general license or exemption, you may apply for a specific license from OFAC by submitting a license application. OFAC may grant, on a case-by-case basis, a specific license to authorize a person to engage in a transaction, or series of transactions, that otherwise would be prohibited by sanctions. For guidance on how to request and apply for a specific license, please see 31 CFR § 501.801 and the License Application page on OFAC’s website.
Date Updated: August 21, 2024.