What constitutes “a close relative” for generally authorized family travel?
OFAC's answer
OFAC regulations generally authorize persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction and those sharing a dwelling with them as a family to visit a close relative in Cuba, including a close relative who is a Cuban national or a person ordinarily resident in Cuba, or to visit or accompany a close relative who is located in or traveling to Cuba pursuant to the authorizations in [§ 515.562](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-515/subpart-E/section-515.562) (official government business), [§ 515.563](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-515/subpart-E/section-515.563) (journalistic activity), [§ 515.564(a)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-515/subpart-E/section-515.564) (professional research), [§ 515.565(a)(1)(i) through (iv) and (vi)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-515/subpart-E/section-515.565) (educational activities), [§ 515.566](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-515/subpart-E/section-515.566) (religious activities), [§ 515.575](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-515/subpart-E/section-515.575) (humanitarian projects), or [§ 515.576](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-515/subpart-E/section-515.576) (activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes). A close relative is defined as any individual related to a person “by blood, marriage, or adoption who is no more than three generations removed from that person or from a common ancestor with that person.” For a complete description of what this general license authorizes and the restrictions that apply, see 31 CFR [§ 515.339](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-515/subpart-E/section-515.339) and [§ 515.561](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-515/subpart-E/section-515.561). In accordance with NSPM-5, OFAC amended the general license in § 515.561 to exclude direct financial transactions with entities and subentities identified on the State Department’s [Cuba Restricted List](https://www.state.gov/cuba-sanctions/cuba-restricted-list/) from the authorizations. For a description of the scope of the prohibition on direct financial transactions and the restrictions and exceptions that apply, see [31 CFR § 515.209](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-31/subtitle-B/chapter-V/part-515/subpart-E/section-515.209)