SDN List
Specially Designated Nationals (OFAC)
SDN List — the OFAC (US) list of specially designated nationals: people and companies with whom transactions are prohibited for US persons and those under US jurisdiction.
- What it is
- The SDN List — OFAC’s list of specially designated nationals (USA)
- Who is on it
- People and companies under US sanctions
- What it means
- US citizens and persons under US jurisdiction are prohibited from dealing with them
- Consequences
- A hard stop for accounts, passports, business
- How to use it
- Check that you are not on the list during due diligence
In plain words
The SDN List (Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List) is the key sanctions list kept by OFAC, the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. It includes people, companies and organisations subject to US sanctions: US citizens and residents, and persons under US jurisdiction, are prohibited from doing business with them, and their assets in that jurisdiction are blocked.
Although it is an American list, its influence is global. Because of the role of the dollar and the US financial system, most international banks and organisations around the world check against the SDN List and avoid dealing with those on it — otherwise they risk falling under secondary sanctions themselves. That is why being on this list is one of the most serious obstacles in international finance.
In the context of investment migration, being on the SDN List is a hard deal-breaker: no serious bank will open an account, and no reputable programme will issue a passport to a person under US sanctions. Sanctions screening in due diligence always includes a check against this list. As with other sanctions, false name matches are possible and need to be cleared properly. We check this in advance.
Where the SDN List matters
What matters about the SDN List
- The OFAC list (USA)
- Specially designated nationals
- Under US sanctions
- Transactions prohibited
- Assets blocked
- For persons under US jurisdiction
- Global influence
- Because of the role of the dollar
- Banks avoid them
- A hard deal-breaker
- Checked in DD
- False matches are possible
How to take the list into account
- 01A preliminary SDN check
- 02Sanctions screening
- 03Reviewing matches
- 04Clearing false positives
- 05A clean result
What you need to know
- The SDN List is OFAC’s main sanctions list (USA)
- It includes people and companies under US sanctions
- Transactions with them are prohibited and assets blocked
- Its influence is global because of the role of the dollar
- Being on the list is a hard deal-breaker
Common mistakes
- Assuming an American list does not matter outside the US
- Not checking yourself against the SDN List in advance
- Ignoring the risk of a false name match
- Trying to conceal sanctions status
- Underestimating the list’s global effect
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We check you in advance against the SDN List and other sanctions databases to avoid surprises in due diligence. In the event of a false name match, we prepare documents that settle the question. That way you pass one of the strictest sanctions filters cleanly, and the process is not held up by a namesake.
Frequently asked questions
01 /What is the SDN List?
The Specially Designated Nationals List — OFAC’s (the US Treasury’s) main sanctions list: people and companies under US sanctions, transactions with whom are prohibited for persons under US jurisdiction.
02 /Does it apply outside the US?
Yes, its influence is global. Because of the role of the dollar, most international banks check against the SDN List and avoid dealing with those on it, fearing secondary sanctions.
03 /What does being on the list mean?
One of the most serious barriers in finance: assets blocked in the US jurisdiction and banks and programmes around the world refusing to deal with the person.
04 /Does it prevent obtaining citizenship?
Yes, it is a hard deal-breaker: a reputable programme will not issue a passport to a person under US sanctions, and a bank will not open an account for them.
05 /Are there errors in matches?
Yes, false name matches with a namesake on the list are possible. They must be cleared properly with documents — otherwise the process will be held up.
06 /How to check yourself in advance?
By checking against the OFAC database before applying. We carry out a preliminary check and, in the event of a false match, prepare explanatory documents.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
Need a clean sanctions check?
We will check you against the SDN List in advance and clear false matches — so that you pass the strict sanctions filter without delays.