MIT has identified countries of concern that include government-identified Countries of Concern, sanctioned countries, and countries posing elevated risks for research. These categories present compliance risks, as well as travel safety risks.
Government-identified Countries of Concern
The government considers countries with military and related capabilities capable of posing a significant threat to U.S. national security to be Countries of Concern. At present, these countries include:
- China
- Iran
- North Korea
- Russia
Sanctioned countries
Sanctioned countries are subject to broad political, military and/or economic sanctions through executive orders or changes in federal law. Contact MIT Export Control if your research or teaching involves people or entities in comprehensively sanctioned or broadly sanctioned countries.
Comprehensively sanctioned countries include:
- Iran
- Cuba
- Syria
- North Korea
- The Crimea, Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine
We generally cannot conduct business with residents of the comprehensively sanctioned countries, even if they are not restricted parties.
Broadly sanctioned countries
Belarus, Russia, and Venezuela are all very broadly sanctioned.
- Venezuela: Interactions with government-owned businesses in Venezuela, including many banks and universities, are limited
- Belarus and Russia: Guidance on interacting with Russia and Belarus is evolving. Contact MIT Export Control for up-to-date guidance on working with residents or entities in Russia and Belarus.
Elevated Risk Countries
Independent of any government assessment, MIT considers China, Russia and Saudi Arabia to be elevated risk countries. Engagements with these countries are subject to the elevated risk process.