OFAC FAQ (Current) # 58 - OFAC Licenses

Date issued: Sep. 09 2026

TURBOFAC Commentary (135 words)

Notes:

[9-9-26 Update - amended to reflect advent of the "View Application Status" option on OFAC’s website and explain why some license applications take a long time to adjudicate]

The official "case-by-case" policy belied by certain sweeping policies that OFAC implements informally, such as its general policy against unblocking frozen funds belonging to blocked persons when those funds were initially blocked in connection with commercial transactions. Consult the tag in the Research System referring to "dissipation" licenses. There are other categories of licenses for which one can technically apply, but because of statutory restrictions, OFAC is essentially prohibited from granting, such as licenses for pure "tourist activity" in Cuba.

It is worth having a grasp of OFAC's broad licensing policy practice prior to submitting unblocking applications; some application types are manifestly inutile.