Effective August 24, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) permanently suspended General License G (GL G). This federal regulatory change impacts how higher education institutions, including Ohio State, deliver remote educational services and process admissions for individuals located in Iran.
Key Impacts on University Operations
- Remote Courses and Distance Learning: Delivering any online courses, remote instruction, or fee-based training to individuals physically located in Iran, across all academic disciplines and degree levels, is now prohibited without a specific, individual federal license.
- Graduate Student Advising: Advising or mentoring graduate students physically located in Iran, across all academic disciplines and degree levels, is prohibited without a specific, individual federal license.
- Recruitment and Applications: The university cannot engage in targeted recruitment in Iran. Additionally, evaluating applications, reviewing transcripts, and processing application fees or tuition from individuals located in Iran is now prohibited and must be suspended immediately.
- Hiring and Employment: Hiring, employing, or paying individuals physically located in Iran remains strictly prohibited without federal authorization.
- On-Campus Students Unaffected: Iranian nationals currently residing in the United States on valid visas (such as F-1 or J-1) are unaffected by this change and may continue enrolled in-person instruction and academic activities.
Sanctioned Countries Overview
Federal sanctions restrict providing remote educational services, hiring, or transferring controlled software/equipment to individuals in comprehensively sanctioned regions. These regions currently include:
- Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine
Support and Questions
Because export control regulations carry strict legal compliance requirements, units are advised to consult with compliance experts prior to engaging in activities involving any sanctioned country.
For guidance or questions regarding international activities, contact the Export Control team at exportcontrol@osu.edu.