The Process

How OFAC Licensing Works

A specific license from OFAC is a formal authorization that allows you to conduct a transaction that would otherwise be prohibited under U.S. sanctions law. Here's exactly how we help you obtain one.

Understanding the Basics

General vs. Specific Licenses

OFAC administers U.S. economic sanctions through the Office of Foreign Assets Control, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Sanctions programs generally prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with blocked parties or sanctioned jurisdictions — but they are not absolute.

General licenses are pre-existing authorizations published in the Code of Federal Regulations that permit certain categories of activity without requiring individual approval. Many people don't realize they already qualify for a general license.

Specific licenses are individual authorizations issued directly by OFAC on a case-by-case basis. They are available for transactions that don't fall under a general license but that OFAC determines are consistent with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.

Our first step is always to determine whether a general license already covers your situation — because that's the fastest path. If not, we build the strongest possible specific license application.

When You May Qualify

Humanitarian needs, family remittances, inherited assets, personal accounts predating sanctions, and overly broad false-positive blocks are among the most common grounds for specific license approval.

Typical Timeline

OFAC generally processes specific license applications within 1 week to 90 days, depending on case complexity and current OFAC processing volume. We follow up proactively and respond promptly to any OFAC requests for additional information.

Confidentiality

Your case details are handled with strict confidentiality. OFAC licensing is a legitimate legal process — engaging in it demonstrates good faith compliance, not wrongdoing.

Step by Step

What Happens at Each Stage

From the moment you contact us to the day your assets are released, here's exactly what to expect.

1

Free Case Assessment

Submit our confidential intake form. We review all the details you provided, determine what sanctions regulations your situation falls under — for example, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, or any other relevant sanctions programs — and assess whether a general license already covers your situation. We provide a written summary of your options with no obligation to proceed.

What you provide: A brief description of the blocked asset or transaction, the financial institutions involved, and any notices you've received.

2

Engagement & Document Preparation

Once you decide to proceed, we formalize the engagement and provide a detailed document checklist tailored to your case type. We draft a comprehensive application narrative — the most critical element of any successful specific license application — along with all required OFAC forms and supporting documentation.

Typical documents: Identity verification, proof of U.S. person status, account or transaction records, bank correspondence, and any relevant legal or estate documents.

3

Submission & OFAC Correspondence

At this stage you choose how you'd like to proceed:

Option A — You submit, we prepare everything You submit the application yourself directly to OFAC. We guide you through the process step by step and prepare all relevant documents — including the application narrative — so you have everything ready to go.

Option B — We submit and manage everything We submit the completed application directly to OFAC's Licensing Division and manage all subsequent correspondence. If OFAC requests additional information — which is common and not cause for concern — we respond promptly and thoroughly. You receive updates at every stage.

Active monitoring: We track your application status and follow up with OFAC proactively to avoid unnecessary delays.

4

License Granted & Asset Release

When OFAC issues your specific license, we review its terms with you, coordinate with your financial institution or counterparty to ensure proper implementation, and advise on any ongoing compliance conditions attached to the license. Your assets are released.

Post-license support: We're available to assist if your financial institution raises questions about implementing the license terms.

Important Disclosures

What You Should Know Before We Begin

We believe transparency is the foundation of a trustworthy engagement. Please read the following carefully.

No Guaranteed Outcomes

We prepare the strongest possible application for your case and draw on deep expertise to maximize your prospects. However, OFAC licensing decisions rest entirely with the U.S. government. No consultant, attorney, or firm can guarantee that a specific license will be approved. We will give you an honest assessment of your case's prospects during the free consultation — before you commit to any paid engagement.

Financial Institution Cooperation Is Not Guaranteed

Even when OFAC grants a license, financial institutions retain some discretion in how — and how quickly — they implement it. In most cases institutions comply promptly, but some may take additional time or, in rare circumstances, decline to cooperate. If you encounter institutional resistance after a license is granted, that situation may require formal legal assistance to resolve. We will flag this risk clearly if it appears relevant to your case.

When Legal Representation May Be Needed

Amanah Sanctions Group is a compliance consulting service, not a law firm. For the OFAC licensing process, our expertise is well-suited to the task. But if your situation involves potential criminal exposure, ongoing litigation, or a financial institution that refuses to honor an approved license, we will tell you directly that legal representation is advisable — and we can refer you to attorneys with relevant sanctions and financial law experience.

Transparent Pricing

Clear Fees. No Surprises.

We believe the people who need this service most shouldn't be priced out of it. Our fees are set to be accessible — significantly below what law firms charge for the same work.

You should know exactly what you're paying before you commit. Our fees reflect the complexity of your case, not the size of your assets.

Tier 1
Consultation & Review
$150–$250 flat fee

Ideal for straightforward situations where you need a clear picture of your options before deciding how to proceed. Includes a written summary and an actionable recommendation.

  • Full review of your sanctions program
  • General license eligibility analysis
  • Written options summary
  • Assessment of specific license prospects
  • Document checklist if applicable
  • 30-minute follow-up call
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Most Common
Tier 2
Standard Application
$400–$750 flat fee

Full preparation and submission of a specific license application for straightforward to moderately complex cases — single account, single applicant, one sanctions program.

  • All Tier 1 services included
  • Application narrative drafting
  • All required OFAC forms
  • Document compilation & review
  • Official submission to OFAC
  • One round of OFAC follow-up
  • Status monitoring throughout
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Tier 3
Complex Case Management
$1,000–$2,500 flat fee + optional success bonus

For multi-account or multi-party cases, digital asset complications, estate and inheritance matters, or cases requiring extended OFAC correspondence and coordination across institutions.

  • All Tier 2 services included
  • Multi-account coordination
  • Digital / crypto asset expertise
  • Multi-party or estate cases
  • Extended OFAC correspondence
  • Financial institution liaison
  • Post-license implementation support
  • Priority turnaround
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Other Engagements

Custom & Advisory Work

Not every situation fits neatly into a tier. Pre-transfer compliance reviews, institutional advisory work, ongoing retainer support, and other bespoke engagements are priced based on the scope and complexity of your specific needs. We'll discuss and agree on a fee before any work begins — no surprises.

Pricing
Custom quote
agreed before work begins
Includes
  • ✓ Pre-transfer compliance review
  • ✓ Ongoing advisory & retainer support
  • ✓ Institutional & organizational consulting
  • ✓ Any situation not covered above
Discuss Your Situation

Note on fees: All fees are flat-rate and agreed upon before engagement begins. We do not charge contingency fees or percentages of released assets. The free case assessment is always complimentary — there is no obligation to proceed after receiving your assessment.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Applying for an OFAC specific license is a legitimate, government-sanctioned process — it is the channel the U.S. government created precisely for situations like yours. Engaging in it demonstrates good-faith compliance with U.S. law, not wrongdoing. OFAC processes thousands of license applications each year from ordinary individuals and businesses.
False-positive SDN matches — where your name resembles a sanctioned person's — are more common than you might expect. OFAC has a formal reconsideration process for these cases, and many are resolved relatively quickly once proper documentation is submitted. We assess whether your case is a true block or a mistaken identity issue, and pursue the appropriate remedy.
For the OFAC licensing process itself, a certified compliance consultant with deep expertise in sanctions programs can prepare and submit your application effectively. However, if your situation involves criminal exposure, civil litigation, or significant legal complexity beyond the licensing process, we will tell you directly and recommend that you also engage a licensed attorney. We will not take cases where legal representation is clearly necessary without flagging that clearly upfront.
OFAC denials are relatively uncommon for well-prepared applications, but they do occur. If your application is denied, OFAC typically provides a reason. In many cases, a denial can be challenged through a reconsideration request, or an alternative legal pathway (such as a different license category) may exist. We discuss denial risk honestly during your case assessment so you can make an informed decision before engaging.
Yes. Digital asset sanctions compliance is one of our areas of specific expertise — it's a rapidly evolving area where many compliance officers and even attorneys lack deep familiarity. Exchanges frequently apply overly broad blocks, and OFAC has issued specific guidance on digital assets. We assess whether your block was correctly applied under OFAC regulations and pursue the appropriate remedy.
You don't need to determine that yourself — that's what the free case assessment is for. After reviewing your situation, we'll recommend the appropriate tier and explain exactly why. We won't upsell you into a higher tier if a lower one is sufficient for your case.

Ready to understand your options?

Start with a free, confidential case assessment. No commitment required.

Request a Free Assessment