This message responds to your license application, submitted to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), requesting authorization to engage in travel-related transactions involving Cuba.

The Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515 (the “Regulations”), administered by OFAC, prohibit all persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States from dealing in property in which Cuba or a Cuban national has an interest. The Regulations prohibit all Cuba travel-related transactions unless authorized.

The Regulations contain general licenses authorizing twelve categories of travel-related transactions involving Cuba. See 31 C.F.R. § 515.560(a). These categories are:

1. Family visits (31 C.F.R. § 515.561);
2. Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations (31 C.F.R. § 515.562);
3. Journalistic activities (31 C.F.R. § 515.563);
4. Professional research and professional meetings (31 C.F.R. § 515.564);
5. Educational activities (31 C.F.R. § 515.565);
6. Religious activities (31 C.F.R. § 515.566);
7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions (31 C.F.R. § 515.567);
8. Support for the Cuban people (31 C.F.R. § 515.574);
9. Humanitarian projects (31 C.F.R. § 515.575);
10. Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutions (31 C.F.R. § 515.576);
11. Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials (31 C.F.R. § 515.545); and
12. Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing Department of Commerce regulations and guidelines with respect to Cuba or engaged in by U.S.-owned or -controlled foreign firms (31 C.F.R. §§ 515.533 and 515.559).

(Please note that, effective June 5, 2019, OFAC amended the Regulations, imposing new limits on authorized travel. If OFAC issues additional amendments to the Regulations, the scope and conditions of these general licenses may change further.)

You should review these general licenses to determine whether your proposed travel is authorized by general license. To the extent that your proposed travel falls within the scope of one of the general licenses listed above, you may proceed without further authorization from OFAC.

Each person relying on a general license must retain specific records related to authorized travel transactions as set forth in the applicable general license and in 31 C.F.R. §§ 501.601, 501.602. OFAC has also published a list of Frequently Asked Questions Related to Cuba, including questions about the scope and application of the travel general licenses, available on our website at https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_new.pdf.

If your proposed travel does not fall within the scope of one of the above-referenced general licenses, you may apply for a specific license from OFAC. If you apply for a specific license, please provide details regarding the proposed travel, including a description of the proposed activities in Cuba, and the reasons why the travel falls outside the scope of the general licenses listed above, sufficient to allow OFAC to evaluate the application.

Note that OFAC has a policy of denial for requests for a specific license authorizing prohibited people-to-people travel. With regard to such travel, also note that the related general licenses authorize, among other things, group people-to-people travel for a trip consistent with 31 C.F.R. § 515.565(b) as those provisions existed on April 17, 2019, provided the traveler completed at least one travel-related transaction for that particular trip prior to June 5, 2019. See 31 C.F.R. § 515.565(b).

Please be advised that it is OFAC’s policy not to grant a specific license authorizing transactions for which the provisions of an existing general license are applicable. See 31 C.F.R. § 515.801. For further information, including the links to the Regulations, the Frequently Asked Questions, and the Online Application Form, you may refer to the Cuba Sanctions page on the OFAC website at https://www.treasury.gov/cuba. You may also call our office at (202) 622-2480.