OFAC Sanctions
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
Many university activities—even virtual ones—with comprehensively sanctioned countries or individuals in those countries may require U.S. federal authorization (e.g., licenses or exemptions). The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. OFAC issues both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance.
Please contact the Export Controls & International Compliance Office for a consultation before participating in activities in a sanctioned country or with individuals or entities who are located in sanctioned countries, including but not limited to:
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working from a sanctioned country
collaborating (even virtually with individuals in a sanctioned country)
allowing students to take 
sending or receiving 
making financial transactions
exchanging items (e.g., equipment, technology, software, materials, etc.)Comprehensively Sanctioned Countries
The most comprehensively sanctioned countries include:
Cuba
Iran (Learn more)
Syria
Certain regions of Ukraine (Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk)
North Korea
RUSSIA: On Feb. 24, the U.S. government imposed severe financial and export control restrictions on Russia and entities supporting the Russian government. The restrictions are likely to change and may affect current or future University collaborations, agreements, and research projects.
OTHER IMPACTS – Duo and Zoom banned
As of May 2022, software and app providers Duo and Zoom banned their services in heavily OFAC-sanctioned countries. Northwestern faculty, staff and students based in, or traveling to, these countries or regions will be unable to access or communicate via most University-provided technology.
Please contact Export Controls with any questions or for assistance.