Collaborations with Iran

Questions? Contact Export Control

Overview

Due to Iran’s status as an embargoed country, UCSF must take special compliance measures for students, visiting scholars, and other collaborators from Iran. Many activities involving Iran will require an Export Control license, in which case ExportControl@ucsf.edu should be contacted as early as possible before agreeing to engage in any activity. 

International Students and Visiting Scholars

UCSF's Export Control team is available to provide the necessary compliance support to ensure that Iranian students, researchers, and collaborators are able to engage in their academic endeavors while remaining in full compliance with export control laws set forth by the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Authorization for Iranian Nationals to Learn and Work at UCSF

OFAC General License G (31 CFR Part 560) authorizes Iranian nationals who are otherwise eligible for F-1 Student, J-1 Student and Scholar, and H-1B Specialty Occupation visas to carry out those activities at UCSF for which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has granted them such non-immigrant visas.

OFAC General License G does NOT authorize the exportation of any UCSF commodity, software, or technology to Iran.

OFAC General License G DOES authorize the “release” or “deemed export” of technology or software to Iranian students at the UO if all the following conditions are met:

  • Such release is ordinarily incident and necessary to the educational program in which the student is enrolled.
  • The technology or software being released is designated as EAR99 under the EAR or constitutes “educational information.”
  • The release does not otherwise require a license from the U.S. Department of Commerce. 
  • The student to whom the release is made is not enrolled in school or participating in the educational program as an agent, employee, or contractor of the Government of Iran or a business entity or other organization in Iran. 

Shipping Items to Iran

UCSF and its employees are prohibited from physically shipping anything to Iran. The Export Control Officer may, in very certain circumstances, apply for an export license for a physical shipment. Please contact ExportControl@ucsf.edu to discuss. 

Travelling to Iran

Business travel to Iran is not openly permitted. The Export Control Officer must apply for a license from OFAC before any UCSF party may travel to Iran for official UCSF business purposes, including, but not limited to, conference and research.