Which OFAC general license covers travel to Cuba?

There is no general license for tourism. US travel to Cuba is authorized only under one of the 12 categories at 31 CFR §515.560–.578: family visits (§515.561), official US-government and intergovernmental business (§515.562 / §515.563), journalistic activity (§515.563), professional research and meetings (§515.564), educational activity (§515.565), religious (§515.566), public performances and athletic competitions (§515.567), support for the Cuban people (§515.574, the most-used category), humanitarian projects (§515.575), private-foundation activity (§515.576), exportation of informational materials (§515.545), and authorized export transactions (§515.533).

Compliance tool · Updated when OFAC publishes

OFAC General License List for Cuba — All CACR §515 Licenses (2026)

Q: What is an OFAC general license?

An OFAC general license is a published authorisation that permits a defined category of transaction that would otherwise be prohibited by US sanctions, without each party having to apply for an individual specific license. Under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (31 CFR Part 515), the general-license framework covers the 12 authorized travel categories, telecommunications, family remittances, agricultural and medical exports under TSRA, and support for the emerging Cuban private sector (MIPYMES).

Q: Are OFAC Cuba general licenses permanent?

No. OFAC's CACR general licenses have been amended repeatedly across the Obama, Trump, Biden, and current administrations — for example the 2017 rescission of people-to-people group travel under §515.565, the 2020 revocation of specific licenses for US hotel operations, and the 2022 reauthorisation of certain remittance categories. Always confirm the current text on the OFAC website (treasury.gov/ofac) before relying on a general license.

Searchable reference for every active CACR general license — the 12 travel categories, plus telecom, remittances, financial services, and informational materials.

What is an OFAC general license, and which one do I need?Hide

An OFAC general license pre-authorises specific transaction categories that would otherwise be prohibited by US sanctions, so each party doesn’t have to apply individually. For Cuba, they live in 31 CFR Part 515 itself — mostly at §§515.560–515.578, which set out the 12 permitted travel categories. The most-used by US business travellers is §515.574 “Support for the Cuban People,” which underpins most legitimate engagement with MIPYMES, paladares, and casas particulares. Always read the full CACR text before relying on a license.

OFAC Cuba general licenses: quick answer

OFAC Cuba general licenses are the published CACR authorizations that let U.S. persons do specific Cuba-related activity without applying for a case-by-case specific license. The most common searches are for travel, remittances, telecom and internet services, agricultural and medical exports, informational materials, and §515.574 support for the Cuban people.

A general license does not clear every risk. You still need to screen the parties in the OFAC Cuba checker, the Cuba Restricted List checker, and the CPAL hotel checker when lodging or Cuban counterparties are involved.

Common scopes: All Travel Remittances Telecom / internet Financial services Humanitarian Informational materials

No general licenses match those filters. Clear filters.

31 CFR § 515.560 Read at OFAC →

General travel framework for the 12 authorised categories

The umbrella regulation defining the 12 categories of authorised travel-related transactions to Cuba by US persons. Tourism is NOT one of the categories — every trip must qualify under one of the named categories below.

Read this section first before reading any of the 12 individual categories — it defines key terms (full-time schedule, recordkeeping, related transactions) that apply across all of them.

Status: Permanent regulation (subject to Treasury amendment) · Scope: travelframework

31 CFR § 515.564 Read at OFAC →

Professional research and professional meetings in Cuba

Authorises travel for professional research in any field and attendance at professional meetings — provided the research is not for personal recreation and the schedule is full-time.

Used by academics, journalists travelling for non-news-gathering research, and professionals attending Cuban government or industry conferences (e.g. ZEDM-related, biotech, agriculture).

Status: Permanent regulation · Scope: travelresearchprofessional

31 CFR § 515.565 Read at OFAC →

Educational activities and people-to-people exchanges

Authorises educational travel sponsored by US academic institutions and (under certain conditions) people-to-people educational exchanges. Trump-era amendments (2019) ended individual people-to-people travel and now require all such travel to be under the auspices of a US sponsor organisation.

Used by US universities running study-abroad and faculty-led courses in Cuba; also the legal home for licensed group educational tour operators.

Status: Permanent regulation (with 2019 amendments) · Scope: traveleducationpeople-to-people

31 CFR § 515.574 Read at OFAC →

Support for the Cuban People

Authorises travel-related transactions and other transactions intended to provide support to the Cuban people. The traveller must engage in a full-time schedule of activities that enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society, or promote independent activity — and must avoid transactions with prohibited entities on the Cuba Restricted List.

By far the most common category for individual US travellers post-2017 (the only individual self-organised category that survived the Trump-era restrictions). Staying in casas particulares and eating at paladares is the canonical compliance pattern. Retain a written full-time schedule for 5 years.

Status: Permanent regulation · Scope: travelindividualcasa-particularpaladar

31 CFR § 515.563 Read at OFAC →

Family visits to close relatives in Cuba

Authorises Cuban-American and US-permanent-resident travel to visit close relatives in Cuba.

The Cuban-American family-visit category. Frequency restrictions tightened under the Trump administration and partially relaxed under Biden (May 2022); current rules are the post-2022 framework.

Status: Permanent regulation · Scope: travelfamily

31 CFR § 515.575 Read at OFAC →

Humanitarian projects

Authorises travel and related transactions for designated humanitarian projects (medical, disaster relief, etc.).

Used by NGOs, faith-based humanitarian groups, and US medical-relief organisations.

Status: Permanent regulation · Scope: travelhumanitarian

31 CFR § 515.566 Read at OFAC →

Religious activities in Cuba

Authorises travel and related transactions for religious activities by religious organisations.

Used by US churches, synagogues, and faith-based delegations — historically a major travel channel.

Status: Permanent regulation · Scope: travelreligious

31 CFR § 515.567 Read at OFAC →

Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions

Authorises travel for participation in public performances, athletic competitions, clinics, workshops, and exhibitions.

Used by US sports federations, music ensembles, and exhibitors at Cuban trade fairs (FIHAV).

Status: Permanent regulation · Scope: travelculturalathletic

31 CFR § 515.561 Read at OFAC →

Journalistic activity

Authorises travel for full-time journalists employed by news-gathering organisations.

Used by US news organisations covering Cuban politics, economy, and culture. Cuba's MINREX-issued journalist visa is a separate Cuban-side requirement.

Status: Permanent regulation · Scope: traveljournalismmedia

31 CFR § 515.562 Read at OFAC →

Official business of the US government, foreign governments, and intergovernmental organisations

Authorises travel by US government employees on official business and by representatives of intergovernmental organisations.

The US Embassy Havana, USDA, and other US-government missions operate under this authority.

Status: Permanent regulation · Scope: travelgovernmentdiplomatic

31 CFR § 515.572 Read at OFAC →

Authorised export transactions

Authorises travel-related transactions necessary to support authorised exports — covering the agricultural-export industry under TSRA and certain humanitarian exports.

Used by US agricultural exporters (chicken, soy, corn, dairy via ALIMPORT) and pharmaceutical exporters travelling to negotiate or service contracts.

Status: Permanent regulation · Scope: travelexportsTSRA

31 CFR § 515.576 Read at OFAC →

Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes

Authorises travel and related transactions for the activities of private foundations or research/educational institutes that have an established interest in international relations.

Used by US foundations (Ford, Open Society, Brookings) and policy think-tanks running Cuba-focused programs.

Status: Permanent regulation · Scope: travelfoundationsresearch

31 CFR § 515.578 Read at OFAC →

Telecommunications and internet-based services

Authorises a broad range of telecommunications and internet-based services to support the free flow of information into, out of, and within Cuba — including internet connectivity infrastructure, internet-based platforms, and remittance-related telecoms.

The compliance home for Google, AirBnb, Stripe, and other US tech platforms operating Cuba-related services. Note: ETECSA's status on the Cuba Restricted List complicates direct telecom infrastructure investment.

Status: Permanent regulation (Obama-era 2015 amendment, expanded subsequent years) · Scope: telecomsinternetplatforms

31 CFR § 515.582 Read at OFAC →

Authorised exports of certain goods (independent Cuban entrepreneurs)

Authorises exports of certain goods from the US to independent Cuban entrepreneurs (cuentapropistas, MIPYMES) for use in their independent economic activity, provided the goods are not destined for state-sector use.

The legal channel for US suppliers selling tools, vehicles, computers, restaurant equipment, and other inputs to Cuba's MIPYME sector. Aligns with the CACR's policy direction to support the independent (non-state) economy.

Status: Permanent regulation (Obama-era expansion, narrowed under Trump, partially restored under Biden) · Scope: exportsMIPYMESprivate-sector

TSRA / 31 CFR § 515.533 Read at OFAC →

Authorised agricultural and medical exports under TSRA

Authorises commercial sales of US agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices to Cuba on a cash-in-advance or third-country financing basis, under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000.

The single largest channel of legal US-Cuba commerce — chicken, soy, corn, and other ag exports routed through ALIMPORT under TSRA cash terms. The cash-in-advance restriction is the binding commercial constraint.

Status: Permanent statutory framework · Scope: exportsagricultureTSRAmedical

31 CFR § 515.570 Read at OFAC →

Remittances to nationals of Cuba

Authorises remittances from the US to Cuban nationals subject to per-quarter and per-recipient limits — relaxed by the Biden administration in May 2022.

FINCIMEX (the GAESA-controlled Cuban remittance gateway) is on the Cuba Restricted List, which forced Western Union to suspend US-Cuba remittances in 2020 and reroute through non-FINCIMEX channels in 2023. Compliance teams must check the receiving-bank chain.

Status: Permanent regulation (with 2022 Biden-era expansion) · Scope: remittancesfamilyhumanitarian

31 CFR § 515.571 Read at OFAC →

Certain remittances by persons subject to US jurisdiction

Authorises additional categories of remittances (donative, humanitarian, support for the Cuban people, support for MIPYMES, emigration-related).

The CACR section under which donor-style remittances to Cuban civil society and MIPYMES are authorised. Distinct from the family-remittance limit framework in § 515.570.

Status: Permanent regulation · Scope: remittanceshumanitarianMIPYMES

Cuba GL 1 Read at OFAC →

Authorising Certain Transactions Related to a Vessel Owned by a Blocked Cuban Entity

Periodically issued narrow GLs authorising specific wind-down or maintenance transactions involving Cuban-owned blocked vessels (oil tankers servicing regional corridors, GAESA-owned commercial assets).

Compliance teams should diary any narrow Cuba GL expiration date as a hard cut-off for blocked-counterparty exposure on a named vessel.

Status: Time-limited (typically 30-90 days from issuance) · Scope: maritimewind-downvessels

OFAC FAQ — Cuba Restricted List interaction Read at OFAC →

Interaction between CACR general licenses and the State Department's Cuba Restricted List

OFAC FAQs clarify that even where a CACR section authorises a category of activity (e.g. travel under § 515.574), the transaction must still avoid all named entities on the State Department's Cuba Restricted List — including most GAESA-owned hotels, marinas, rum/cigar houses, and FINCIMEX.

The single most-asked compliance question on the Cuba program. Even a § 515.574 'Support for the Cuban People' traveller cannot stay at a Cuba-Restricted-List-named hotel.

Status: Ongoing guidance — list updated periodically · Scope: complianceGAESACuba-Restricted-List

General License vs. Specific License: What’s the Difference?

Every CACR authorization for Cuba falls into one of these two tracks. A general license is a published, blanket authorization anyone can rely on without asking OFAC first. A specific license is a one-off approval OFAC grants to a named applicant only after a formal review — and only when no general license already covers the activity.

Dimension	General License	Specific License
Application required?	No — self-executing if your activity fits the published scope	Yes — a written application to OFAC's Licensing Division
Who it covers	Any U.S. person whose transaction matches the category (e.g. §515.574 travelers, family remitters)	Only the named applicant, for the exact transaction described
Typical timeline	Immediate — effective the moment your facts fit the rule	Weeks to many months; OFAC sets no statutory deadline
Cuba examples	§515.574 support-for-the-Cuban-people travel, §515.570 family remittances, §515.542 telecom services	A one-off equity stake in a Cuban state enterprise; a bespoke transaction no general license category fits
If nothing authorizes the activity	The transaction is prohibited under the CACR embargo until either a matching general license is published or OFAC grants a specific license — proceeding without either is a sanctions violation.

Which one applies to you: start by searching the categories above — the large majority of authorized U.S.-Cuba activity (travel, remittances, telecom, informational materials, agricultural and medical exports) already runs on a general license and needs no application. Reach for a specific license only when your exact transaction falls outside every published category; expect to document the request in detail and to wait for a case-by-case OFAC determination.

Frequently asked questions

Which OFAC general license covers Cuba travel?

There is no general license for tourism. U.S. travel to Cuba is only legal under one of the 12 categories at §515.560–.578. The most-used by individual travelers is §515.574 “Support for the Cuban People,” which requires a full-time schedule of activities engaging Cuba’s private sector (casas, paladares, MIPYMEs). Use our travel decision tool to find which category fits your trip. For those staying long-term rather than visiting, see our guide to living in Havana as an expat for how ongoing compliance differs from a single trip.

Are OFAC Cuba general licenses permanent?

No. They have been amended repeatedly across the Obama, Trump, Biden, and current administrations. Notable changes include the 2017 rescission of people-to-people group travel under §515.565, the 2020 revocation of specific licenses for U.S. hotel operations, and the 2022 reauthorization of certain remittance categories. Always verify on treasury.gov/ofac.

Do I need to apply for an OFAC general license?

No — that’s what makes them “general.” A general license is a published blanket authorization. If your activity falls within the defined scope, you are automatically authorized without filing an application. A specific license, by contrast, requires a formal application to OFAC and is only needed when no general license covers your planned activity. Most U.S. travelers and businesses engaging with Cuba operate under general licenses.

Which OFAC Cuba general licenses matter most for business?

The most common business-facing categories are agricultural and medical exports under §515.533, telecom and internet services under §515.542, informational materials, remittances under §515.570, and support for the Cuban people under §515.574. Each category has limits. A clean license theory still needs counterparty screening and records.

Can a general license override the Cuba Restricted List or CPAL?

Usually no. A general license may authorize a type of activity, but it does not make a restricted counterparty safe. If the Cuban party is on the CRL, CPAL, or OFAC SDN list, you need to analyze that list rule separately. Start with the search tools linked above and keep the source date in your records.

What food and medicine exemptions exist under the Cuba embargo?

One of the most significant Cuba embargo exceptions is for food and medicine. The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSRA) requires the Cuba sanctions program to authorize exports of agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices — codified in the CACR as the §515.533 general license. That’s why a standing Cuba embargo food and medicine exception has existed since 2000, distinct from the embargo’s general import/export ban. This Cuba sanctions general license isn’t fully self-executing, though: TSRA Section 906 still requires exporters to hold a one-year OFAC license (which by statute cannot be more restrictive than an ordinary general license), and payment terms are tightly limited — cash in advance (payment received before transfer of title and control to the Cuban buyer) or a confirmed letter of credit from a bank in a third country, never U.S. financing or credit. That financing restriction is what keeps the Cuba sanctions food and Cuba embargo medicine exception narrower in practice than TSRA’s authors anticipated.

Can Americans legally bring back Cuban cigars and rum?

Not currently, despite being one of the most-searched questions about the Cuban embargo on cigars. Between 2016 and September 24, 2020, CACR §515.560(c)(3) let authorized travelers import Cuban-origin merchandise as accompanied baggage for personal use, and many people still assume that personal-use allowance covers cigars and rum. It doesn’t anymore: a September 2020 amendment added an express carve-out excluding Cuban-origin alcohol and tobacco products from that accompanied-baggage general license, and per OFAC FAQ 719, that exclusion remains in force. Travelers may still purchase and consume Cuban cigars and rum while in Cuba or a third country, but bringing them into the United States as accompanied baggage is not authorized under any of the 12 travel categories. Commercial importation for resale was never covered by any personal-use license and remains separately prohibited under the embargo’s broader import ban, regardless of quantity or traveler category.

Important: Navigation aid only. CACR provisions and the State Department CRL change with administrations — sometimes intra-week. Always confirm by reading the full 31 CFR Part 515 text linked in each card. Not legal advice.

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