A specific license requires written government approval. Applicants should write a letter to the OFAC stating the date of the planned visit and the length of stay; the specific purpose(s) of the visit; plus the name(s), title(s), and background(s) of the traveler. OFAC has been understaffed and is notoriously slow: allow two or three months. Special licenses are issued by OFAC on a case by case basis authorizing travel transactions by persons in connection with the following travel categories:

Humanitarian Travel: Persons traveling to Cuba to visit close relatives in cases involving hardship more than once in a 12 month period; persons traveling to Cuba to accompany licensed humanitarian donations (other than gift parcels); or persons traveling in connection with activities of recognized human rights organizations investigating human rights violations.

Educational Research: Travel in connection with professional research or similar activities, for clearly defined educational or religious activities, including academics intending to lecture at educational institutions or attend a meeting or conference, and activities related to study for an undergraduate or graduate degree sponsored by a college or university located in the United States.

Commercial "Opportunists": Individuals wishing to identify commercial opportunities in the fields of artwork, communications, entertainment, informational materials, medical equipment, medical instruments, medical supplies, medicated products, medicines, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications; register trademarks and patents; organize and participate in trade shows; authorize consumer credit cards to be valid for use; and provide travel services and provide air transportation services.

Others: Freelance journalists; athletes competing in an event; and individuals wishing to engage in a public exhibition, such as a concert, trade show, etc. Many travelers have successfully been approved as "freelancers." If you want to go it alone and try the "journalist" or "researcher" angle, write to the OFAC, which requires a written statement of why your proposed trip falls within the rules for permissible travel.