OFAC Licensing Portal Update 2025

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals. On February 10, 2025, it announced that it had updated its Licensing Application Portal.

What is the New Update?

The OFAC portal now features an option to establish an account to submit requests for specific licenses or to submit reports required by some specific licenses. This feature allows applicants to save and return to an application in progress, view a list of their applications and case statuses in a single dashboard, replicate an application, and save frequently used contacts.

For added security, establishing and accessing an account now requires identity verification through ID.me. Registering for an account is not required to submit an application for a specific license. However, an account provides added functionality for frequent applicants. This update is in addition to the current application process and all applicants are still able to check their application status by using their Case ID.

If you have a pending specific licence request that was submitted by a non-specialized ____, please contact us at the Sanctions Law Center to consult an expert OFAC Sanctions Lawyer to review your case…./

The OFAC Licensing Portal welcome page now prompts users to login or register for an account or to continue as a guest. If a user wishes to continue as a guest, OFAC warns the user that if they would like to save applications as drafts prior to submission, view and/or download past applications, or create an user profile to automatically populate applicant information fields, then they must create an account.

The new update also allows existing users to easily check their application status by entering the Case ID provided by OFAC. The website notes that if OFAC has yet to provide a case ID, then no status information will be retrieved. New or existing users with an account are able to use enhanced features. OFAC notes that these features are particularly useful when submitting multiple applications. However, all users must agree to the terms of the agreement before beginning the application process. If a user chooses to create an account, they will be prompted to create an ID.me account, where their identity will be verified and their credentials will be protected.

Due to the highly sensitive nature of sanctions, the application process is protected by several verification systems. The user will then be prompted to fill out an application, saving progress as needed. Applicants will be able to submit and track status through the dashboard, as well.

How will This Update Affect Processing Times?

The OFAC Licensing Portal, the portal for submitting requests for licenses and interpretive guidance, processes thousands of applications each year, with processing times varying from weeks to months depending on the complexity of the case. Following the update, users note more activity in pending cases, including questions from licensing officers, indicating a more efficient and comprehensive system.

The new features offered by the OFAC Licensing Portal will allow for improved accessibility and security, as well as reduced errors in submissions. These updates reflect OFAC’s aims to enhance accessibility for individuals and firms navigating U.S. sanctions compliance.

Prior to this update, users of the OFAC Licensing Portal have complained of long wait times and the lack of updates on ongoing applications. Inefficient systems can significantly delay or hinder the application process, causing some to avoid it altogether. This detriment not only harms individual applicants, but it also hinders U.S. sanction goals.

If an American citizen owned assets in a sanctioned country, such as Cuba or Iran, and were unable to acquire a specific license, these assets would remain in the sanctioned country, causing them to not remain and likely lose value. This new, streamlined process likely aims to assist streamline specific license applications in a timely manner and thereby strengthen and support U.S. sanctions objectives.

This update comes after the Licensing Division made several changes to their portal. On July 18, 2024, OFAC updated its licensing portal to offer more detailed updates on application statuses via the Licensing Portal in an effort to provide greater transparency. Applicants will receive one of ten case statuses that indicate the timeline of their application process. OFAC also announced that it is implementing updates to the Licensing Division hotline. These changes, including the transition to a call-back only system, aim to provide more accessible information and reduce wait times.

Who Can Access the OFAC Portal?

While anyone can access the OFAC portal to view the SDN list and general information about sanctions, the OFAC portal is particularly relevant for lawyers who need to advise clients on complex international transactions and potential sanctions risks. Sanction lawyers frequently use the OFAC portal to assess whether a client’s proposed transaction might violate OFAC regulations and advise on compliance measures.

Additionally, lawyers specializing in international law may use the portal to stay up-to-date with the latest authorized sanctions.