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701. What constitutes generally authorized travel-related transactions for "professional research" in Cuba?
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 research in Cuba relating to a traveler's profession, professional background, or area of expertise.
Effective September 30, 2026, OFAC amended § 515.564(a) to remove the previous license authorizing travel-related and other transactions incident to attendance at or organization of professional meetings or conferences in Cuba. However, specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis for transactions related to such professional meetings. See FAQ 1275 for additional information on these changes.
Please note that § 515.564 excludes from its authorization lodging, paying for lodging, or making any reservation for or on behalf of a third...
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[9-30-26 Update – FAQ amended to reflect restrictions to travel GLs]
1) FAQ amended on 9-23-2020 to account for the addition of 515.210 to the CACR and the removal of the general license for “professional meetings” (previously contained in §515.564(a)(2) of the CACR.
2) See generally 515.564, comments thereto.
3) FAQ amended on 6-8-22 to account for amendments to the CACR restoring the professional meetings GL.
4) The GL provides guidance, as bolded below:
Effective June 9, 2022, OFAC amended § 515.564(a) to include a general license authorizing, subject to conditions, travel-related and other transactions incident to attendance at or organization of professional meetings or conferences in Cuba. This general license authorizes persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction to travel to Cuba for purposes of attending or organizing professional meetings...