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 though property blocked pursuant to OFAC-administered sanctions is not held by OFAC (or other offices of the U.S. Department of the Treasury), authorization from OFAC is required for U.S. financial institutions to release such blocked property.

If you believe your funds or other property have been blocked due to OFAC-administered sanctions and you want the funds released (i.e., unblocked), you should first contact your financial institution to confirm the funds are in fact blocked pursuant to OFAC-administered sanctions. You may want to ask to speak to someone who handles sanctions compliance for the bank, likely in the bank's headquarters rather than at a branch.

If confirmed, OFAC encourages you to file a specific license application via the OFAC Specific Licenses and Interpretive Guidance page on OFAC's website. To complete this application, you will also need your financial institution to identify the financial institution—which may be different than yours—that filed the required blocking report with OFAC. OFAC generally does not process requests for the release of blocked funds where a corresponding blocking report has not been filed.

You also will need to provide a detailed description of the funds that are blocked, the names and addresses of any persons involved in the transaction or possession of the funds, and copies of supporting documentation (e.g., payment or funds transfer instructions). For further information on specific licenses, including how to apply for one, please see 31 CFR § 501.801, the OFAC Specific Licenses and Interpretive Guidance page on OFAC's website, and FAQ 74.  

For more information on blocked funds, please see "My Funds are Blocked, Now What?" on the OFAC Video Series page on OFAC's website.

Date Updated: September 9, 2026

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 from the applicant, and in others, OFAC may need to consult with other U.S. government agencies. Additionally, an increase in the volume of licensing applications may lead to longer wait times. Following the license application guidelines on the OFAC Specific Licenses and Interpretive Guidance page on OFAC's website, including OFAC's Best Practices for License Applicants, and providing all required information, can help accelerate the review process.  

Applicants can check their application's progress from 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.  

Date Updated: September 9, 2026

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 sanctions program, please see the relevant OFAC implementing regulations and the Sanctions Programs and Country Information page on OFAC's website.

Where humanitarian assistance-related transactions are not exempt or authorized pursuant to a general license, OFAC has long had a favorable specific licensing policy of supporting these types of transactions as necessary and appropriate (For background on the difference between a general and specific license, please see FAQ 74). OFAC prioritizes requests for specific licenses to provide humanitarian assistance and endeavors to review such applications expeditiously. OFAC encourages applicants to submit applications online (via the OFAC Specific Licenses and Interpretive Guidance Application page on OFAC's website) and to include a brief description of the proposed activities, the sanctioned jurisdictions or persons involved (including persons that appear on OFAC's sanctions lists, such as the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (the "SDN List")), as well as any risk mitigation measures that will be used to prevent potential violations.

Date Updated: September 9, 2026

An OFAC license is an authorization from OFAC to engage in transactions that otherwise would be prohibited by U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

There are two types of OFAC licenses: general licenses and specific licenses.

General License: A general license authorizes certain categories of transactions that would otherwise be prohibited pursuant to a particular sanctions program. OFAC general licenses are public and are "self-executing," meaning that persons who determine their transactions meet the terms and conditions as described in the general license, do not require further authorization from OFAC. Some general licenses can be found within OFAC's implementing regulations for the relevant sanctions program, while other general licenses can be found on the relevant Sanctions Programs and Country Information page on OFAC's website.

Specific License: A specific license is a non-public document issued by OFAC to a particular individual or entity, authorizing a particular transaction in response to a license application. For guidance on how to apply for a specific license, please see 31 CFR § 501.801, the OFAC Specific Licenses and Interpretive Guidance page on OFAC's website, and the OFAC Licenses FAQ topic page on OFAC's website.

Please note that persons engaging in transactions pursuant to general or specific licenses must comply with all license terms, including conditions and recordkeeping and reporting requirements, as applicable.

Date Updated: September 9, 2026

OFAC encourages applicants to file an electronic license application, available via the OFAC Specific Licenses and Interpretive Guidance page on OFAC's website. It is essential to follow instructions and include all necessary information in your application, as detailed in the online application and the regulations. When applying for a license, provide a detailed description of the proposed transaction, including the names and addresses of any individuals or entities involved. For additional best practices for license applications, see the License Applications Quick-Reference Guide on OFAC's website. The OFAC Video Series also offers step-by-step guidance in "My Funds are Blocked, Now What?" and "Applying for a License to Release Blocked Funds."

Applicants can monitor the status of their applications online. For information on how to check the status of your specific license application, see FAQ 77. To learn more about the application review process see OFAC's License Applications Quick-Reference Guide: Understanding an OFAC License Application Status.

You also may contact the OFAC Licensing Hotline for specific license-related questions. Please note that the Licensing Hotline should not be used to submit license applications; applications should be submitted via the OFAC Licensing Portal. For general guidance on how to comply with OFAC-administered sanctions programs and tips for navigating OFAC's website, please submit a query to the OFAC Compliance Hotline.

For additional information on OFAC’s licensing process, please see 31 CFR § 501.801.  

Date Updated: September 9, 2026

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 additional relevant information not previously made available to OFAC.

If you submit a request for reconsideration of a specific license application, please clearly identify how circumstances have changed since your last application and the new information that was not included in your previous application.

To submit a specific license reconsideration request, visit the OFAC Specific Licenses and Interpretive Guidance page and submit a new application referencing the previous license denial.

Date Updated: September 9, 2026

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, please see OFAC's guide to Understanding an OFAC License Application Status. Applicants who opted to create an account can also view the status of their application(s) by logging in. For more information on how to find your Case ID number, see FAQ 1269.

OFAC will notify applicants via email as soon as a determination has been made on their application.

Date Updated: September 9, 2026

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 such coordination does not eliminate the need for the applicant to comply with other provisions of 31 CFR chapter V and other applicable laws and regulations, including any aviation, financial, or trade requirements, of agencies other than OFAC. Such requirements may include the Export Administration Regulations, 15 CFR parts 730-774, administered by the Department of Commerce, and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, 22 CFR parts 120-130, administered by the Department of State.

Date Updated: September 9, 2026

OFAC permits two format options for submitting TSRA license applications:  online or hard-copy, though we highly recommend the use of OFAC’s online application portal.  Applications submitted via mail must be accompanied by a cover letter that includes some essential information:  the purpose of the application and the applicant’s full contact information.  If either the cover letter or the pertinent information is missing, the application is considered incomplete and risks delay or rejection. 

Applicants should clearly enumerate in a table format all pertinent information related to their proposed transactions, including: a) Full names and addresses of all parties involved in the transactions and their roles, including financial institutions and any Iranian broker (identify company principals), purchasing agent (identify company principals), end-user(s) (full contact name), or other participants involved in the purchase of the proposed export items; and b) If applicable, the commodity classification numbers that are associated with the proposed export items.

OFAC requires applicants to submit each individual application separately; regardless of if you are completing the online application or sending in a hard copy application through the mail. If an applicant is submitting a hard copy, each application should be in a separate envelope, accompanied by a separate cover letter. Applicants should not submit multiple applications in a single envelope with a single cover letter. If you submit applications in that manner, you may encounter some delay in the processing of your applications. Therefore, in order to prevent such delay, submit one application with one cover letter per envelope.

No. OFAC does not require samples of proposed export products to be sent as attachments to any application. OFAC does not need to examine samples of the actual product in making its final determination. Therefore, please do not include any samples with your application.

This language is in the general license at section 560.532(a)(4) of the ITSR because it is contrary to U.S. foreign policy to allow U.S. financial institutions to maintain active correspondent relationships with Iranian banks. The language, however, does not preclude a U.S. financial institution or an entity owned or controlled by a United States Person and established or maintained outside the United States (“U.S.-owned or -controlled foreign entity”) from being a second advising bank (i.e. receiving and passing forward advice from a third-country bank that the credit has been issued), nor does it preclude the U.S. financial institution or a U.S.-owned or -controlled foreign entity from receiving funds in payment for the licensed export from a third-country bank. You should also note that the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations authorize U.S. financial institutions and U.S.-owned or -controlled foreign entities to directly advise or confirm letters of credit issued by third-country banks for authorized shipments. The third-country bank may not be an overseas branch of a U.S. financial institution, a U.S.-owned or -controlled foreign entity, an Iranian financial institution, or the Government of Iran, unless otherwise authorized by OFAC. In none of these circumstances, however, may there be any direct or indirect involvement of entities the property and interests in property of which have been blocked under any of the programs administered by OFAC, except for persons whose property and interests in property are blocked solely pursuant to Executive Order 13599 and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations.

No.  As of December 14, 2020, no license from OFAC is required to export or reexport agricultural commodities, medicines, or medical devices to Sudan. 

Case Identification Number: Once OFAC receives and begins to process your specific license application, OFAC's Licensing Division will assign a case identification ("Case ID") number. This number will be in the Year-Case ID format (i.e., YYYY-9999999). Note the Case ID number is different from the Reference ID that was created when you submitted your application. Please take note of the Case ID as you will need to reference it throughout the application process, including to view your application's status. For more information on checking the status of your specific license application, see FAQ 77 or the OFAC Specific Licenses and Interpretive Guidance page on OFAC's website.

Reference ID: A Reference ID helps with the tracking and processing of your application until OFAC provides a Case ID. You may request to receive an email confirming OFAC's receipt of your application upon submission, which will include your Reference ID. The Reference ID is also listed in the PDF copy of your submission, which is displayed on the screen confirming that your application was successfully submitted to OFAC.

If you submitted your specific license application as a guest user, you were asked to create a unique Reference ID for your application. OFAC's Licensing Division will contact you to provide a Case ID when it is assigned to your application.

If you submitted your specific license application through an account, a unique Reference ID was automatically assigned to your application. When a Case ID is assigned to an application, it will automatically be reflected in your "My Applications" account dashboard.

Application Alias: If you submitted your specific license application through an account, you may have created an Application Alias to help easily identify and differentiate it among your applications when viewing your “My Applications” account dashboard.  The Application Alias is not included in your application or tracked by OFAC.

Note that if you are submitting questions to the OFAC Licensing Hotline, you should refer to one of the above numbers, preferably the Case ID if you have received one, within your submission.  You may contact the OFAC Licensing Hotline for specific licensing-related questions.

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 of application as your current license (e.g., Transactional). You should reference your current license in the "Previous License Number" field.

Where applicable, OFAC recommends you apply at least 60 days prior to the current specific license's expiration date to avoid a lapse in authorization.