Frequently Asked Questions

Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction that are providers of telecommunications or internet-based services who establish a business or physical presence in Cuba pursuant to the authorization in 31 CFR § 515.573 are authorized to engage in marketing related to that business or physical …

OFAC has issued two General Licenses (GLs) relating specifically to Lukoil International GmbH (LIG) and its majority-owned subsidiaries ("LIG Entities"): GL 128D and GL 131K . The GLs are similar but have different expiration dates and terms as each serves a different purpose. To mitigate the… Read more

On October 22, 2025, OFAC designated Public Joint-Stock Company Oil Company Lukoil (Lukoil) to increase pressure on Russia's energy sector and degrade Russia's ability to raise revenue for its war machine. OFAC is aware of potential efforts by Lukoil to divest its assets outside of Russia to non-… Read more

The general license at 31 CFR § 515.545(b)(1) authorizes, subject to conditions, travel-related transactions and other transactions that are directly incident to the exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials. This general license excludes from its… Read more

Section 515.574 of the CACR contains a general license that authorizes, subject to conditions, travel-related transactions and other transactions that are intended to provide support for the Cuban people, which include activities of recognized human rights organizations; independent organizations… 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

Generally yes. In most cases (excluding Iraq, for instance) OFAC regulations contain provisions to allow a bank to debit blocked accounts for normal service charges, which are described in each set of regulations. The charges must be in accordance with a published rate schedule for the type of… Read more

OFAC regulations require that funds earn interest at a commercially reasonable rate, i.e., at a rate currently offered to other depositors on deposits or instruments of comparable size and maturity. …