Frequently Asked Questions

Pursuant to 31 CFR § 515.573 , persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction may establish and maintain a physical presence, such as an office, warehouse, or retail outlet, in Cuba to engage in transactions authorized by or exempt from the CACR in the following categories: entities engaging in non-… Read more

Effective September 30, 2026, OFAC narrowed the authorization for persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction, including U.S. academic institutions and their faculty, staff, and students, to engage in certain education-related transactions involving Cuba. Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction that wish to… Read more

No.  A general license authorizes persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction, including travel agents and tour group operators, to provide travel services in connection with authorized travel without the need for specific licenses from OFAC.  For a complete description of what this general license… Read more

Effective September 30, 2026, OFAC amended 31 CFR § 515.584(d) by removing the authorization for banking institutions subject to U.S. jurisdiction to process transactions that originate and terminate outside the United States, provided that neither the originator nor the beneficiary was a person… Read more

Yes.  Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction who are traveling to Cuba pursuant to one of the 12 authorized categories of travel may open and maintain bank accounts in order to access funds while located in Cuba for authorized transactions, and are authorized to close such accounts.  For a complete… Read more

Effective September 30, 2026, OFAC amended § 515.584(h) to remove the authorization for banking institutions subject to U.S. jurisdiction to open and maintain accounts solely in the name of a Cuban national who is an independent private sector entrepreneur, as defined in § 515.340 , for the… Read more

Effective September 30, 2026, OFAC amended § 515.564 to eliminate the authorization related to the attendance at, or organization of, professional meetings or conferences in Cuba. Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are no longer authorized to attend or organize professional meetings or… Read more

Section 515.209 prohibits persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction from engaging in a direct or, effective September 30, 2026, an indirect financial transaction with entities and subentities on the CRL . A person engages in a direct financial transaction by either acting as the originator on a transfer… Read more

The U.S. government does not intend to target foreign persons, including FFIs, pursuant to  E.O. 14404  for engaging in transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the divestment from or the wind down of transactions involving BICSA, or any entity in which BICSA owns, directly or indirectly,… Read more

The State Department publishes a list of entities and subentities that the Secretary of State has determined are under the control of, or act for, on behalf of, or for the benefit of the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel, and with which direct or indirect financial… Read more