OFSI streamlines reporting and licensing procedures by launching online forms

On 17 July 2025 the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation (“OFSI”) launched new online reporting and licensing forms, seeking to improve efficiency and reduce processing times for its services. The original procedures for submitting forms will remain in operation, and the use of the online forms is not currently mandatory. However, OFSI is encouraging the use of the new online forms for making new licence applications, reporting suspected breaches or frozen assets and reporting issues relating to designated persons as it allows for faster response times, fewer follow-up questions and better accessibility. It is anticipated that all other submission forms will eventually be phased out.

The following forms are now available online and can be used to communicate with OFSI:

• Licence application form
• Sanctions breach reporting form
• Oil Price Cap breach reporting form
• Licence reporting form (except legal services)
• Legal services general licence reporting form
• Designated persons reporting from
• Frozen asset reporting form
• Immobilised assets reporting form

By introducing the new online forms, OFSI is also seeking to reduce the significant delays that have been reported by legal practitioners. Currently, processing a licence application may take a few months, and submitting an additional request to an existing licence application may result in a further delay in processing. With the roll-out of the new forms, OFSI intends for any requests to be delivered expeditiously to the relevant teams to enable quicker processing and response times and make communication more user friendly and efficient.

How Gherson can assist

The Gherson team have years of experience advising on compliance matters, including sanctions. We regularly advise clients on sanctions rules and regulations and can assist companies with developing policies and systems aimed at preventing sanctions risks.

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The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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