Frequently Asked Questions

647. Should an institution tell its customer that it blocked access to their digital currency and, if so, how does the institution explain it to the customer?

647 … An institution may notify its customer that it has blocked digital currency pursuant to OFAC regulations. The customer has the right to apply for the unblocking and release of the digital currency. To apply online to have the virtual currency released, please go to OFAC’s online application… Read more

481. If there is an active and ongoing investigation against an individual or entity for apparent violations of the Burmese Sanctions Regulations (“BSR”), would that investigation cease now that the President has ended economic and financial sanctions on Burma and the prohibitions in the BSR are no longer in effect?

481 … Pending OFAC enforcement matters will proceed irrespective of the termination of OFAC-administered sanctions on Burma, and OFAC will continue to review apparent violations of the BSR , whether they came to the agency’s attention before or after the Burma sanctions program was terminated.… Read more

695. What are the general travel authorizations in the Cuba program?

695 … Travel-related transactions are permitted by general or specific licenses for certain travel related to the 12 categories of activities identified in 31 CFR § 515.560(a) . Those travel-related transactions permitted by general license, subject to specified criteria and conditions, include:… Read more

696. Are authorized travelers who have initiated travel arrangements prior to the addition of an entity or subentity on the State Department’s Cuba Restricted List required to cancel their Cuba-related travel plans if their travel arrangements involve direct financial transactions with a listed entity or subentity?

696 … Consistent with the Administration’s interest in avoiding negative impacts on Americans for arranging lawful travel to Cuba, any travel-related arrangements that include direct financial transactions with entities and subentities that appear on the State Department’s Cuba Restricted List will… Read more

697. Do travelers who fall within the scope of a general license need to submit a written request to OFAC for permission to travel or conduct transactions?

697 … No. No further permission from OFAC is required to engage in transactions by a person who meets all criteria in a general license. Individuals wishing to engage in activities that may fall within the scope of a general license should review the relevant general licenses contained in the CACR… Read more

698. Is travel to Cuba for tourist activities permitted?

698 … No. Consistent with the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSRA ), travel-related transactions involving Cuba are only permitted for the 12 categories of activities identified in the CACR. Travel-related transactions for other purposes remain prohibited. … Is travel to… Read more

699. What constitutes “a close relative” for generally authorized family travel?

699 … OFAC regulations generally authorize persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction and those sharing a dwelling with them as a family to visit a close relative in Cuba, including a close relative who is a Cuban national or a person ordinarily resident in Cuba, or to visit or accompany a close relative… Read more

700. Who is generally authorized to engage in travel and travel-related transactions for “journalistic activity”?

700 … Section 515.563 of the CACR contains a general license that authorizes, subject to conditions, travel-related transactions and other transactions that are directly incident to journalistic activities in Cuba. Among other things, this general license authorizes, subject to conditions, full-… Read more

701. What constitutes generally authorized travel-related transactions for “professional research and professional meetings” in Cuba?

701 … 31 CFR § 515.564 (a)(1) contains a general license that authorizes, subject to conditions, travel-related transactions and other transactions that are directly incident to professional research in Cuba. Among other things, this general license authorizes, subject to conditions, professional… Read more

702. What constitutes “educational activities” for generally authorized travel and other transactions?

702 … Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction, including U.S. academic institutions and their faculty, staff, and students, are authorized to engage in the travel-related transactions set forth in 31 CFR § 515.560(c) and such additional transactions as are directly incident to the 12 categories of… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence