By Dawn Gable
As foretold by US President Obama on January 14, 2011, the Office on Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has just amended its regulations regarding travel and remittances to Cuba by US citizens and organizations. The new regulations reactivate, to varying degrees, all of the 12 categories of permissible travel that Bush II halted except “humanitarian”.
Through a mixture of general licenses, which do not require special permission from OFAC, but do require tedious record keeping, and specific licenses, which require a sometimes grueling application process, opportunities for educational, religious, people-to-people, and journalistic travel have been expanded. In addition all US citizens can now send limited remittances to certain Cuban nationals living on and off the island, while religious organizations can receive unlimited funds.
The changes outlined below were couched in strong rhetoric intended to reassure the world that these changes do not signify a deviation from Washington’s 50-year-old, failed regime-change policy, but merely an adjustment in tactics. The administration reiterates time and again that the purpose of all contact with the island is to support the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities.
Educational
General licenses allowing:
Specific licenses allowing:
In addition, the 10-week formal course of study requirement has been removed and academic institutions as well as religious organizations may open accounts at Cuban financial institutions for the purpose of accessing funds in Cuba.
Religious
Religious organizations can now travel to Cuba on a general license to engage in religious activities, while a specific license is needed for religiously motivated travel independent of an organization or otherwise not covered by the general license.
People-to-People
All travel in this category is subject to specific licensing. It pertains to educational exchanges that do not involve academic study pursuant to a degree, but rather are under the auspices of organizations that promote people-to-people programs (e.g., Global Exchange and Sister Cities).
Journalistic
The already existing specific license for freelance journalist is expanded to include projects other than writing “articles”.
Remittances
A general license now authorizes:
Lastly, most restrictions on transactions with Cuban nationals who have taken up permanent residence outside of Cuba have been eliminated, with important exceptions and verification requirements.
There are many details that are not addressed specifically by the regulations that will presumably be ironed out as travelers challenge the boundaries.
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