Frequently Asked Questions

No. Payments to and guarantees from the Government of Iran or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), directly or indirectly, for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would not be authorized for U.S. persons, including U.S. financial institutions, or for U.S.-owned or -controlled foreign… Read more

No. Effective August 27, 2026, parties seeking to enter into a contract authorized by certain Venezuela General Licenses (GLs) (e.g., 46D , 47B , 48B , 50C , 51C , 52B , 54B , and 61A ) with the Government of Venezuela (GOV) or certain other blocked persons (e.g., Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. in GL… Read more

URGENT NOTE: The U.S. Department of State cautions against any travel by U.S. persons to Iran. The Department of State has issued a Level Four Travel Advisory ( Do Not Travel ) for Iran due to the risk of kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, and detention of U.S. citizens . See additional guidance… Read more

The general license at § 510.522 of the North Korea Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 510 (NKSR), authorizes news reporting organizations that are U.S. persons, and their U.S. person employees to engage in certain transactions in North Korea, provided that such transactions are ordinarily incident… Read more

Yes, non-governmental organizations may provide humanitarian assistance in Somalia without the need for a license from OFAC. Organizations considering entering Somali territory to conduct assistance operations should be aware that areas of Somalia are extremely unstable and dangerous, and should… Read more

No, provided that non-U.S. persons comply with certain conditions outlined in GLs 46D , 51D , and 52B as described below. Subject to certain conditions, GLs 46D , 51D , and 52B authorize established U.S. entities to engage in certain transactions involving Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), as… Read more

Given that many of OFAC's licensing determinations are guided by U.S. foreign policy and national security concerns, OFAC often coordinates with the U.S. Department of State and other government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Commerce, to make licensing determinations. Please note that… Read more

Applicants or other interested parties may request, at any time, reconsideration of a denied license application on the basis of changed circumstances or new facts. OFAC will reconsider such determinations for good cause, where the applicant has demonstrated changed circumstances or submitted… Read more

Applicants can check the status of their application through the OFAC Specific Licenses and Interpretive Guidance page on OFAC's website by selecting " View Application Status " and entering the case identification ("Case ID") number in the OFAC Licensing Portal. For more information on your status… Read more

If you currently have a specific license from OFAC and seek to amend the terms of the license due to a change in circumstance, or wish to renew or extend the license's expiration date, please visit the OFAC Specific Licenses and Interpretive Guidance page on OFAC's website and submit the same type… Read more