FundedSeat Restricted Countries: Complete 2026 List

FundedSeat restricts traders from 21 countries. Residents of Afghanistan, Belarus, Central African Republic, Congo, Cuba, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen cannot open or trade FundedSeat accounts.

The restrictions are driven by international sanctions, US anti-money laundering laws, and the compliance obligations that come with being an LA-based company operating in financial services. The list is standard for US-based prop firms, with minor variations at the edges.

This article walks through the full list, the legal framework behind each block, what happens during KYC verification, how the policy compares to Apex, Topstep and MyFundedFutures, what alternatives exist for traders in restricted jurisdictions, and the operational implications when sanctions lists change mid-account.

The full FundedSeat restricted list

FundedSeat blocks traders from these 21 countries. The reason column maps each entry to the primary regulatory driver.

This list covers every sanctioned and high-risk jurisdiction that US-based financial services companies typically block. If your country is not on the list, you should be eligible for a FundedSeat account, though always confirm directly before purchasing an evaluation.

Why FundedSeat restricts these countries

FundedSeat is based in Los Angeles, California. As a US company operating in financial services, it must comply with multiple overlapping regulatory frameworks. The list is not a business preference; it is a compliance requirement.

OFAC sanctions

The Office of Foreign Assets Control administers US sanctions law. Comprehensive sanctions on countries like Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria, and Russia prohibit US financial-services companies from transacting with residents. Violation exposes the company to civil and criminal liability.

Anti-Money Laundering rules

US financial services companies must implement AML controls. Countries on FATF high-risk lists, including several African nations on FundedSeat's restricted list, are blocked because verifying the legitimacy of funds and identity is structurally difficult.

Know Your Customer requirements

FundedSeat must verify the identity and residence of every funded trader. Countries where reliable identity verification is difficult or impossible (poor government infrastructure, unverifiable documents) get restricted by default rather than case-by-case.

Payment processor limitations

FundedSeat's payment processors for evaluation fees and profit payouts may not support transactions to or from certain countries even when the underlying activity is legal. Processor coverage often dictates the practical edge of the restricted list.

Why the Ukraine block is notable

Ukraine is not under US sanctions, but the ongoing conflict creates compliance complications around identity verification, payment processing, and risk assessment. Some prop firms accept Ukrainian traders with extra documentation; FundedSeat currently does not. This is more conservative than the industry average.

Traders in Ukraine looking for prop firm access typically have better luck with European firms (FTMO is Czech-based and accepts Ukrainian residents under specific conditions) or with UK and Dubai based firms whose regulatory frameworks treat the country differently.

VPN workarounds do not work

FundedSeat's KYC verification requires government-issued ID showing your country of residence. Even if a VPN masks your IP during signup and evaluation trading, the KYC step at funded account activation catches the mismatch. The account gets terminated, all profits are forfeited, and the evaluation fee is gone.

Why people try anyway

The temptation is real. Traders in sanctioned countries see retail prop firm access as their only path to leveraged capital, and a VPN is a five-minute setup. The reality is that VPN traffic is detectable through several signals (IP reputation databases, browser fingerprinting, behavioural anomalies) and the KYC step is a hard gate that no software workaround can bypass.

Identity fraud is worse

Some traders ask about using a friend or family member's address in an unrestricted country. That is identity fraud and exposes the trader to legal consequences far beyond losing a prop firm account. Most jurisdictions criminalise identity misrepresentation for financial-services applications regardless of intent.

Documented outcomes

Every workaround approach observed in trader communities ends the same way: account closed, money lost. The evaluation fee, any profits accrued, and all time spent in evaluation are forfeited. If your country is on the list, find a firm that accepts your jurisdiction rather than trying to game the system.

How FundedSeat verifies your country

FundedSeat uses standard KYC verification before activating funded accounts. The process involves three layers of evidence.

Required documents

1. Government-issued photo ID: passport, national ID card, or driver's license with full name and photo
2. Proof of address: utility bill, bank statement, or government letter dated within the last 3 months showing residential address
3. Selfie or video verification: live face match against the ID photo to confirm the document belongs to the applicant

Cross-reference checks

FundedSeat may cross-reference IP address history during evaluation, payment method country of origin, and other data points during verification. KYC happens after the evaluation passes and before the funded account activates.

Timing of the check

The KYC step at funded account activation is when restricted-country residents get blocked. This means a trader can pay for the evaluation, pass it, and then be denied funded activation. Checking the restricted list before signing up is the only way to avoid this scenario.

How the policy compares to peer firms

Most US-based futures prop firms have similar restricted country lists because they face identical regulatory requirements. The differences come down to a few countries at the margins.

The core sanctioned countries (Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Russia) are blocked everywhere. The edge cases like Ukraine, Haiti, and Guinea vary by firm. Traders in borderline countries should check each firm's specific list before paying for an evaluation.

Non-US firm alternatives

Non-US-based prop firms (UK, Dubai, Czech Republic, offshore) sometimes have shorter restricted lists because they operate under different regulatory frameworks. The differences create real options for traders blocked by US firms.

FTMO and European firms

FTMO is Czech Republic based and accepts Ukrainian residents under specific documentation requirements. Other European firms (The 5%ers, E8 Markets) have somewhat narrower restricted lists than US peers. The trade-off is that these are Forex-only firms; US futures access is not available.

UK and Dubai firms

UK-regulated firms apply HMT and OFSI sanctions which substantially overlap with US lists but differ at the edges. Dubai-based firms operate under UAE financial-services rules with their own jurisdiction-specific exclusions. Both produce slightly different country availability than US firms.

Red flags to watch

Any firm that accepts traders from comprehensively sanctioned countries (Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria) without proper verification is cutting compliance corners. If they ignore regulations on who they accept, they may also ignore regulations on payouts. Treat aggressive country acceptance as a warning, not a feature.

Alternatives by country

If you are blocked from FundedSeat because of your country, the path forward depends on which jurisdiction you reside in.

The reliable approach is to contact the target firm's support team with your specific country and ask about availability before paying for any evaluation. Public lists can lag actual policy changes by weeks.

What happens when sanctions lists change

Sanctions change. Countries get added to and (rarely) removed from restricted lists. If you are an active FundedSeat trader and your country gets added to the restricted list after you have been verified, the firm's policy will determine next steps.

Typical industry response

• Existing funded accounts may be allowed to continue until the next payout cycle
• New evaluations are blocked immediately for the affected country
• Payouts may be frozen pending compliance review
• Accounts eventually get terminated with a payout of any eligible balance

FundedSeat's specific policy on mid-term country additions is not publicly documented in detail. Contact support if this scenario applies to you. Do not assume continuity; the compliance team's hand may be forced by the regulator.

Dual citizenship and residency edge cases

FundedSeat bases eligibility on country of residence, not citizenship alone. The distinction matters for dual citizens, expats, and people who recently relocated.

Dual citizens

Holding citizenship in a restricted country plus a non-restricted country is acceptable if the trader's documented residence is in the non-restricted country. The KYC documents must show the non-restricted address and government-issued ID from either country can typically be used.

Recent relocation

Moving from a restricted country to a non-restricted one shortly before applying may trigger additional scrutiny. Proof of address documents need to be current (within 3 months) and ideally show 6+ months of established residence. The KYC team can ask for additional evidence if the move is too recent.

Resident of unrestricted country with restricted-country bank

Payment from a bank account in a restricted country is a red flag even if the trader's documented residence is elsewhere. Use a payment method tied to the non-restricted country to avoid the friction at funding and payout.

Cost impact of restricted-country uncertainty

Traders unsure about their country's status often pay for an evaluation and discover the block only at funded activation. The cost is the evaluation fee plus any time spent in evaluation. For traders in borderline jurisdictions, the smart move is to contact support before paying.

Quick reference checklist

• Check the 21-country list before purchasing any evaluation
• Verify country availability with support if uncertain
• Have valid government ID and proof of address from a non-restricted country ready
• Use payment methods tied to the unrestricted country of residence
• Avoid VPN-based workarounds; the KYC step will catch them
• Monitor sanctions news if you trade actively from a borderline jurisdiction
• Have a backup firm in mind in case of policy change

Bottom line

FundedSeat's 21-country restricted list is standard for a US-based futures prop firm. The restrictions exist because of sanctions and compliance obligations, not because FundedSeat is being selective. There is no VPN workaround. If your country is on the list, do not pay for an evaluation you cannot complete. Check the list first, verify with FundedSeat support if uncertain, and explore non-US alternatives if you are in a country with mixed access across the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries are restricted at FundedSeat?

FundedSeat restricts traders from 21 countries: Afghanistan, Belarus, Central African Republic, Congo, Cuba, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen. The list updates with changes in international sanctions and compliance requirements.

Why does FundedSeat block certain countries?

FundedSeat is based in Los Angeles and must comply with US sanctions laws (OFAC), anti-money laundering regulations, and Know Your Customer requirements. The firm blocks countries under comprehensive US sanctions, on FATF high-risk lists, or where reliable identity verification and payment processing are not possible to deliver.

Can I use a VPN to access FundedSeat from a restricted country?

No. FundedSeat's KYC verification requires government-issued ID showing country of residence. Even if a VPN masks your IP during signup, FundedSeat catches the discrepancy at the KYC stage. Using a VPN to bypass FundedSeat's country restrictions results in account termination and forfeiture of all profits and fees.

When does FundedSeat verify your country?

FundedSeat verifies country of residence during KYC, which happens after the evaluation passes and before the funded account activates. The firm requires government-issued photo ID and proof of address. Traders in restricted countries get blocked at this stage, after already paying the evaluation fee.

Is Ukraine on FundedSeat's restricted list?

Yes. Ukraine is on FundedSeat's restricted list due to the ongoing conflict and associated compliance risks. Some other prop firms accept Ukrainian traders with extra documentation, so FundedSeat's policy is more restrictive than the industry average on this specific country.

Are there alternative prop firms for restricted-country traders?

Traders in universally sanctioned countries (Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria) have no legitimate prop firm options. Traders in countries with mixed access (Ukraine, some African nations) may find non-US firms like FTMO or other European prop firms that accept their country. Always verify eligibility directly with any alternative firm before paying.

Does the restricted list apply to evaluations too?

FundedSeat may allow evaluation purchases from restricted countries, but the funded account will be blocked at KYC. This means you could pay for and pass an evaluation, then be denied the funded account. The firm does not consistently block restricted countries at signup, making it critical to check the list before purchasing.

How many countries does FundedSeat restrict compared to competitors?

FundedSeat restricts 21 countries. This is a typical number for US-based futures prop firms. Apex Trader Funding, Topstep, and MyFundedFutures all maintain similar lists due to shared regulatory requirements. Non-US firms often have shorter restricted lists because they operate under different compliance frameworks with different sanctions interpretations.

What documents does FundedSeat require for KYC?

FundedSeat's KYC process requires a government-issued photo ID (passport, national ID, or driver's license) and proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or government letter from the last 3 months). The firm may also require a selfie or video verification to live-match against the ID photo before approving the account.

Can I trade at FundedSeat if I'm a dual citizen of a restricted country?

FundedSeat bases eligibility on country of residence, not citizenship alone. Dual citizens with documented residence in a non-restricted country can typically pass KYC. If you reside in a restricted country, dual citizenship in an unrestricted nation does not override the block. Contact support directly to confirm eligibility before paying.

What if my country gets added to the list after I'm funded?

Industry-typical response is to allow existing funded accounts to continue until the next payout cycle, block new evaluations immediately, possibly freeze payouts pending compliance review, and eventually terminate accounts with a payout of any eligible balance. FundedSeat's specific policy is not publicly documented; contact support if this applies to you.

Can I use a friend's address in an unrestricted country?

No. That is identity fraud, prohibited under FundedSeat's terms, and exposes the trader to legal consequences beyond losing a prop firm account. Most jurisdictions criminalise identity misrepresentation in financial-services applications regardless of intent. The risk is far greater than the upside of accessing a funded account.

How does FundedSeat detect VPN usage?

Several signals: IP reputation databases that flag known VPN exit nodes, browser fingerprinting that mismatches the claimed location, payment method country of origin, and behavioural anomalies during the evaluation. The KYC step at funded activation requires government documents which a VPN cannot fake, providing a final hard gate.

Are there any approved exceptions to the country list?

No documented exceptions. The list is a hard policy applied uniformly. A trader from a restricted country residing legally elsewhere is treated as residing in the non-restricted country and qualifies normally. Citizenship alone does not unlock or block access; it is the documented residence that drives eligibility.

Does the list change frequently?

Changes are tied to international sanctions activity, which is irregular. Major shifts happen around significant geopolitical events (the 2022 Russia additions across the industry are the recent obvious example). Minor edge-case additions or removals can happen quietly. Monitor sanctions news if you trade actively from a borderline jurisdiction.