Political money and lobbying
Foreign influence registration schemes compared
Short answer
- US FARA enacted
- 1938 1
- UK enhanced tier deadline
- Within 10 days of an agreement 2
- UK maximum prison term, enhanced tier
- Up to five years 2
- UK maximum prison term, political influence tier
- Up to two years 2
- Australia registration deadline
- Within 14 days 4
- UK register retention
- 10 years after the stated end date 3
What these schemes register
Foreign influence schemes register arrangements, not donations. The trigger is that a person acts for, or at the direction of, a foreign principal or foreign power. The public record then shows the arrangement and the activity 1,3.
This differs from a lobbying register, which records who lobbies and for which client. A foreign influence scheme can cover activity that never reaches a lobbying register, such as communications campaigns or payments 4.
United States: FARA
The Justice Department says FARA applies to agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political activities or other activities set out in the statute 1. Agents make periodic public disclosures of their relationship with the foreign principal and of their activities, receipts and disbursements 1.
Registration statements are published online through the FARA eFile system, which has browse and search tools. From 6 February 2026 all eFile users must sign in through the DOJ Login platform with multi-factor credentials 1.
United Kingdom: FIRS
The Home Office describes two tiers. The political influence tier covers activities carried out at the instruction of a foreign state to influence political decisions. The enhanced tier covers activities carried out at the instruction of a specified foreign state or foreign state-controlled organisation 2. For the enhanced tier, registration must happen within 10 days of an agreement being made, and the activity cannot start until it is registered 2.
Failing to register is a criminal offence. Penalties are up to two years in prison and a fine for the political influence tier, and up to five years and a fine for the enhanced tier 2.
Only political influence information goes on the public register. It includes the registrant's name, the foreign power, the nature and dates of the arrangement, and details of activities such as the intended audience or the value of disbursements 3. Enhanced tier information is published only where it covers political influence activities 3. The register is live and entries stay for 10 years after the stated end date 3.
Australia: FITS
The Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 is Act No. 63 of 2018 5. The scheme aims to give the public visibility of the nature, level and extent of foreign influence on Australia's government and politics 4. The Australian National University's guidance lists four kinds of registrable activity: parliamentary lobbying, general political lobbying, communications activity and disbursement activity 4. The Act has a separate section on registrable activities of former Cabinet Ministers 5. Registrable activities go on a public register 4.
Side by side
| Scheme | Trigger | Deadline | Public record |
|---|---|---|---|
| US FARA | Agent of a foreign principal in political or other listed activities 1 | Not stated on the page read 1 | Filings online through FARA eFile 1 |
| UK FIRS | Arrangement directed by a foreign power 2 | 10 days for the enhanced tier 2 | Political influence tier only 3 |
| Australia FITS | Registrable activity for a foreign principal 4 | 14 days 4 | Public register 4 |
Common questions
Is FIRS information all public?
No. Only information on political influence activities is published. Enhanced tier details are published only where they cover political influence 3.
What does a FARA registrant disclose?
The relationship with the foreign principal, activities, receipts and disbursements 1.
How long does Australia allow to register?
14 days from entering a relationship with a foreign principal or starting a registrable activity 4.
What is the penalty for not registering under FIRS?
Up to two years in prison and a fine on the political influence tier, and up to five years and a fine on the enhanced tier 2.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@whofundswhat.com.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Justice: Foreign Agents Registration Act (modified 20 August 2026)
- Home Office: Factsheet, What is the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (updated 22 July 2025)
- Home Office: Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, registration and public register (updated 24 July 2025)
- Australian National University: Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme
- Federal Register of Legislation: Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 (No. 63, 2018)
Related
- Lobbying registers compared
Who must register as a lobbyist and what is published in the US, EU, UK, Canada, Ireland, France and Germany, from the laws and register pages.
- Political donation disclosure compared
How political donations are reported in the UK, the US and Australia: thresholds, reporting bodies, timing and the Australian changes due in 2027.
- Research funding disclosure rules
How researchers and institutions disclose funding and financial interests: ICMJE journal rules, NIH conflict of interest rules, Open Payments and FITS.
- Ownership, funding and control: three different questions
How ownership, funding and control differ in official records, from UK PSC rules and US BOI reporting to lobby and charity registers.