‘I don’t want to be part of a dictatorship’: the Americans queueing up to renounce their citizenship
A growing number of Americans living abroad are renouncing their citizenship, citing political disillusionment and concerns over democratic backsliding in the United States. The process can take over a year and involves significant financial and bureaucratic hurdles, including fees and legal costs that can exceed $10,000. While some are motivated by tax implications, many recent applicants say they no longer want to be associated with a country they perceive as moving toward authoritarianism.
- ▪The waiting list to renounce US citizenship at the London consulate exceeds 14 months, with similar delays in other major cities.
- ▪The official fee to renounce US citizenship was reduced from $2,350 to $450 after a legal challenge, but total costs with legal help can reach $10,000.
- ▪Renunciations have risen from hundreds per year in the 2000s to thousands annually since 2014, with spikes linked to political events like the 2016 and 2020 elections.
- ▪Several individuals cited Donald Trump’s presidency, the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, and fears of democratic erosion as key reasons for renouncing.
- ▪Applicants must swear under oath that they are not renouncing for tax avoidance purposes and understand the permanent consequences of their decision.
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Illustration: Andrea Ucini/The GuardianView image in fullscreen Illustration: Andrea Ucini/The GuardianUS politics‘I don’t want to be part of a dictatorship’: the Americans queueing up to renounce their citizenshipSevering ties with the US can take more than a year and cost thousands of dollars. But Paul, Ella, Margot and thousands of others feel they have no choiceZoe WilliamsTue 28 Apr 2026 00.00 EDTLast modified on Fri 1 May 2026 12.14 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleWhen Margot went to renounce her US citizenship earlier this year, she wasn’t able to do it in the UK, her home of 30 years. The waiting list to renounce US citizenship at the London consulate is more than 14 months. It’s a similar story in Sydney and most major Canadian cities.
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