If you are considering renouncing your US citizenship, you should be aware that data suggest an increasing number of people are doing so in recent years. Be aware that the procedure might be time-consuming, yet thousands of people opt to go through it every year. If you’re thinking about renouncing your US citizenship, be sure you understand what’s involved.
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Getting Started
Consider the ramifications of abandoning your citizenship. Renouncing your US citizenship is a significant choice, and you should be aware of all potential consequences before continuing. They consist of but are not limited to, the following. You will not be allowed to freely return to the United States. Before entering the nation, you must request authorization at an embassy. The Visa Waiver Program exempts citizens of certain nations from this limitation. This permits people of certain nations to stay in the United States for up to 90 days without the need for a visa. While traveling overseas, you will not be protected by the US government. You will no longer be permitted to work in the United States or retired abroad.
Acquire citizenship in a different nation
Before renouncing your US citizenship, you must gain citizenship in another nation. If you first renounce your US citizenship, you will become stateless, which means you will have no affiliation with any country. This implies you won’t be able to work, get a bank account, or attend school, among other things. To prevent this consequence, you must first get dual citizenship before abandoning your US citizenship. If you’re retired abroad, and willing to accept the citizenship of another country. For information on how to apply for citizenship in another country, see Obtain Dual Citizenship.
Move to a different nation
You cannot abandon your US citizenship while still in the country. From a US embassy in another nation, the request must be made to renounce citizenship by traveling to the nation in which you plan on becoming a citizen.
Check with the IRS to determine if you have any tax liabilities
If you owe outstanding taxes, quitting your citizenship will not relieve you of your tax obligations. If you do not pay your taxes on time, you may become a fugitive. Because the United States has extradition arrangements with numerous nations, escaping the country will not prevent you from being detained. Before renouncing your US citizenship, settle any tax issues.
Collect the renunciation fee.
Because of the huge number of Americans who have renounced their citizenship in recent years, the State Department has raised the renunciation cost. It is currently worth $2,350. Make sure you have this fee ready when it comes time to renounce your citizenship.
If you face any such difficulty in the aforementioned step, follow this another step for renouncing your US Citizenship:
- Locate the closest US embassy: When you arrive in another nation, you can formally begin the process of renunciation. You must renounce your citizenship in front of a US diplomatic officer, therefore locate the nearest US embassy. It is a good idea to contact the embassy ahead of time to find out whether you need to arrange an appointment or bring anything with you.
- Appear in front of a diplomatic officer: To renounce your citizenship, you must attend in person; it cannot be done over the mail or through a mediator. When you arrive at the embassy, you must orally declare your desire to renounce your US citizenship in front of a diplomatic officer.
- Sign the oath of renunciation: Following your meeting with the diplomatic official, he will administer an oath relinquishing your citizenship to you. Before signing, please read this contract and think about your decision. There is no going back after you sign the paper.
- Please return your US passport: You can no longer use your US passport if you are no longer a US citizen. When you relinquish your citizenship, you must submit this form.
