FundedSeat Restricted Countries: Complete 2026 List

Introduction

FundedSeat restricts traders from 21 countries. As of April 2026, 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 the financial services space. This list is standard across most US-based prop firms, with minor variations.

If you're in a restricted country, there's no workaround. VPN usage to bypass the restriction will get your account terminated. I've put together the full list, the reasons behind it, what happens during KYC verification, and alternative firms that accept traders from some of these regions.

Which Countries Are Restricted at FundedSeat?

As of April 2026, FundedSeat blocks traders from these 21 countries:

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

Why Does FundedSeat Restrict These Countries?

FundedSeat is based in Los Angeles, California. As a US company, FundedSeat must comply with:

• OFAC sanctions (Office of Foreign Assets Control): US law prohibits financial transactions with individuals and entities in comprehensively sanctioned countries like Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria, and Russia.
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations: US financial services companies must implement controls to prevent money laundering. Countries on FATF high-risk lists often get blocked.
• Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements: FundedSeat must verify the identity and residence of every funded trader. Countries where reliable identity verification is difficult or impossible get restricted.
• Payment processor limitations: FundedSeat's payment processors (for evaluation fees and profit payouts) may not support transactions to or from certain countries.

This isn't a FundedSeat-specific policy choice. It's a legal requirement. Any US-based prop firm faces the same obligations, which is why restricted country lists look nearly identical across Apex, Topstep, MyFundedFutures, and most competitors.

The inclusion of Ukraine is notable. Ukraine isn't under US sanctions, but the ongoing conflict creates compliance complications around identity verification, payment processing, and risk assessment. Some prop firms do accept Ukrainian traders. FundedSeat currently does not.

Can You Use a VPN to Bypass FundedSeat's Country Restrictions?

No. And don't try.

FundedSeat's KYC verification requires government-issued ID showing your country of residence. Even if you could mask your IP during signup and evaluation trading, the KYC step at funded account activation will catch the mismatch. Your account gets terminated. Any profits get forfeited. The evaluation fee is gone.

Some traders ask about using a friend or family member's address in an unrestricted country. That's identity fraud. FundedSeat's terms explicitly prohibit trading under another person's identity, and the legal consequences extend beyond losing a prop firm account.

I've seen traders in communities try various workarounds. Every single approach I've observed ends the same way: account closed, money lost. It's not worth the risk. If your country is on the list, find a firm that accepts your jurisdiction.

How Does FundedSeat Verify Your Country?

FundedSeat uses KYC (Know Your Customer) verification before activating funded accounts. The process typically involves:

1. Government-issued photo ID: Passport, national ID card, or driver's license showing your full name and photo.
2. Proof of address: Utility bill, bank statement, or government letter dated within the last 3 months showing your residential address.
3. Selfie verification: Some KYC providers require a live selfie or video to match against your ID photo.

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

If you're in a restricted country, you'll be blocked at this stage. You'll have already paid for and passed the evaluation, which makes the rejection painful. That's why checking the restricted list before signing up is critical.

How Does FundedSeat's Restricted List Compare to Other Firms?

Most US-based futures prop firms have similar restricted country lists because they face the same 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. If you're in one of those borderline countries, checking each firm's specific list before paying for an evaluation is essential.

Non-US-based prop firms (particularly those headquartered in the UK, Dubai, or offshore) sometimes have shorter restricted lists because they operate under different regulatory frameworks. If you're in a country blocked by US firms, exploring non-US alternatives may open doors.

What Are Alternative Firms for Traders in Restricted Countries?

If you're blocked from FundedSeat because of your country, your options depend on which country you're in.

For traders in universally sanctioned countries (Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria): No legitimate prop firm will accept you. The sanctions are international, not just US-based. Any firm claiming to accept traders from these countries is either operating illegally or doesn't do proper KYC, both of which are red flags.

For traders in countries with mixed access (Ukraine, some African nations): Non-US prop firms may have different policies. Firms based in the UK, Australia, or Dubai often have shorter restricted lists. Research firms like FTMO (Czech Republic-based) or other European prop firms that may accept your country. Always verify directly with the firm before paying.

For traders in countries blocked due to AML risk (Haiti, Guinea): Some firms with more aggressive compliance programs still accept these countries. Check individual firm websites and contact support directly.

A word of caution: any firm that accepts traders from comprehensively sanctioned countries without proper verification is likely cutting compliance corners. That's a risk to your capital. If they don't follow regulations on who they accept, they might not follow regulations on payouts either.

What Happens If Your Country Gets Added to the Restricted List?

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

Based on how other prop firms have handled similar situations (particularly the Russia/Ukraine additions in 2022), the typical approach is:

• Existing funded accounts may be allowed to continue until the next payout cycle
• New evaluations are blocked immediately
• 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 isn't publicly documented, so contact their support team if this scenario applies to you. Don't assume anything.

The 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's no VPN workaround. If your country is on the list, don't pay for an evaluation you can't complete. Check the list first, verify with FundedSeat support if you're unsure, and explore non-US-based alternatives if you're 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. FundedSeat updates this list based on changes to 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. FundedSeat blocks countries that are under comprehensive US sanctions, on FATF high-risk lists, or where reliable identity verification and payment processing are not possible.

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

No. FundedSeat's KYC verification requires government-issued ID showing your country of residence. Even if a VPN masks your IP during signup, FundedSeat will catch 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 your country of residence during KYC, which happens after you pass the evaluation and before your funded account activates. FundedSeat requires government-issued photo ID and proof of address. Traders in restricted countries will be blocked at this stage, after already paying the evaluation fee.

Is Ukraine on FundedSeat's restricted list?

Yes. As of April 2026, Ukraine is on FundedSeat's restricted country list. FundedSeat blocks Ukrainian traders due to the ongoing conflict and associated compliance risks. Some other prop firms do accept Ukrainian traders, so FundedSeat's policy is more restrictive than the industry average on this specific country.

Are there alternative prop firms for traders in FundedSeat-restricted countries?

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-based firms like FTMO or other European prop firms that accept their country. Always verify eligibility directly with any alternative firm before paying.

Does FundedSeat's 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. FundedSeat does not consistently block restricted countries at the signup stage, 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-based firms may have shorter restricted lists because they operate under different compliance frameworks.

What documents does FundedSeat require for KYC verification?

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). FundedSeat may also require a selfie or video verification. The KYC provider cross-references your submitted documents against your account details.

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

FundedSeat bases eligibility on your country of residence, not citizenship alone. If you hold dual citizenship but reside in a non-restricted country with valid proof of address, FundedSeat may approve your account during KYC. If you reside in a restricted country, dual citizenship in an unrestricted nation does not override the block. Contact FundedSeat support directly to confirm eligibility.

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