Frequently Asked Questions

Section 515.580 of the CACR authorizes global health, life, or travel insurance policies covering individuals ordinarily resident in a country outside of Cuba traveling to Cuba. The policy may be issued to a group, such as all employees of a company. The "global" requirement means it cannot be… Read more

Other than certain global health, life, or travel insurance policies for individuals authorized by 31 CFR § 515.580 , absent specific authorization from OFAC, U.S. insurers and their subsidiaries are not permitted to issue policies, provide reinsurance coverage, or pay insurance or reinsurance… Read more

No. The general licenses involving the 180-day rule only authorize certain vessels to enter a U.S. port within 180 days after leaving a port or place in Cuba; they do not authorize any shipments to or from Cuba. Shipments to or from Cuba may be separately authorized under other provisions of the… Read more

When attempting to verify or disqualify potential matches to individuals or entities on OFAC's sanctions lists, organizations should follow their own sanctions compliance policies and procedures for investigating potential matches.  OFAC recommends that such procedures include the following steps… Read more

OFAC itself does not seize or hold blocked funds. To comply with U.S. sanctions regulations administered by OFAC, U.S. financial institutions are required to block or "freeze" certain property (e.g., funds, accounts) in their possession or control and report such blocked property to OFAC. Even… Read more

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 who… Read more

Some OFAC sanctions programs that broadly prohibit transactions involving an entire jurisdiction have exemptions or general licenses for certain donated goods, such as humanitarian articles, to relieve human suffering. For information on the exemptions and general licenses under a particular OFAC… Read more

OFAC reviews each specific license application on a case-by-case basis, generally in the order in which they are received. The review process for each license application may vary, which will affect the length of the review. For example, in some instances, OFAC may require additional information… Read more

Any travel-related arrangements that include direct or indirect financial transactions with entities and subentities that appear on the State Department's Cuba Restricted List will continue to be permitted, provided that those travel arrangements were initiated prior to the State Department’s… Read more

Section 515.576 of the CACR contains a general license that authorizes, subject to conditions, travel-related transactions and other transactions that are directly incident to activities by private foundations or research or educational institutes with an established interest in international… Read more