The U.S. Department of State has reduced the fee for officially renouncing citizenship by nearly 80 percent. CNN reported this, citing a notice published in the Federal Register.
According to the new rule, the fee for renouncing citizenship has been lowered from $2,350 to $450. This change took effect on March 13. Interestingly, this amount is equal to the rate first implemented in 2010.
In 2015, when tax reporting requirements for Americans living abroad were strengthened, cases of renouncing citizenship increased. Consequently, the fee was sharply increased under the pretext of administrative costs.
At the same time, the process of renouncing U.S. citizenship is complex. The applicant is required to have several interviews with consular officers and confirm a full understanding of the consequences of their decision. Only after this does the formal oath-taking and document review process begin.
It is reported that this decision was made as a result of a multi-year legal struggle by Americans living abroad, particularly by the "Accidental Americans Association" in France.
According to the organization's data, since 2023, at least 8,755 individuals have paid the high fee and renounced their citizenship.
