Wowzers! Consular Fees for Processing U.S. Citizenship Renunciations Increased More than 500% (US$2,350 Fee)
Wowzers! Consular Fees for Processing U.S. Citizenship Renunciations Increased More than 500%
The recent U.S. Department of State announcement of new fees for renouncing U.S. citizenship have been increased significantly. The costs of the “Hotel California” have gone up to US$ 2,350 from US$450. 
This information comes on the heals of distressing news that in some Consulate offices throughout the world, U.S. citizens are not able to get meetings for renunciations until the year 2015.
| Type of Service | Previous Fee | New Fee |
| Renunciation of Citizenship | $450 | $2,350 |
Fees for Consular Services to Change on September 12, 2014
Mexico City, August 28, 2014 – Effective September 12, 2014, the Department of State will adjust processing fees for some services. The fees for most categories of immigrant visas will change, while fees for nonimmigrant visas largely remain the same. The fee for processing an application for Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship is increasing to reflect the true cost of providing this service.
The Department seeks to recover, as far as possible, the cost of providing consular services through the collection of consular fees. The Department regularly reviews these costs and adjusts fees as necessary to reflect the cost of service.
Although most categories of nonimmigrant visa processing fees will remain the same, the fee for E visas (treaty-traders and treaty-investors) will decrease and the fee for K visas (for fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens) will increase. The fee charged for Border Crossing Cards for Mexican citizen minor applicants under the age of 15 will increase by $1.
For immigrant visa processing, the fee for family-sponsored immigrant visas will increase, as will the fee for domestic review of an Affidavit of Support. All other immigrant and special visa processing fees that are changing will decrease.
Documenting a U.S. citizen’s renunciation of citizenship is extremely costly, requiring U.S. consular officers overseas to spend substantial amounts of time to accept, process, and adjudicate cases. The fee for processing renunciation of citizenship, which had previously been subsidized, is now reflective of the true cost.
Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Fees
| Type of Visa | Previous Fee | New Fee |
| Treaty Investor and Trader visas (E) | $270 | $205 |
| Fiancé(e) visas (K) | $240 | $265 |
| Border Crossing Card (under age 15) | $15 | $16 |
Immigrant Visa Processing Fees
| Type of Visa | Previous Fee | New Fee |
| Immediate Relative and Family Preference Applications | $230 | $325 |
| Employment-Based Applications | $405 | $345 |
| Other Immigrant Visa Applications | $220 | $205 |
| Determining Returning Resident Status | $275 | $180 |
| Waiver of Two-Year Residency Requirement | $215 | $120 |
| Affidavit of Support Review (only when reviewed domestically) | $88 | $120 |
Citizens’ and Administrative Services
| Type of Service | Previous Fee | New Fee |
| Renunciation of Citizenship | $450 | $2,350 |
| Charge for Consular Time (for fee services performed outside of normal business hours or away from the office) | $231 | $135 |
The proposed fees were published in the Federal Register today, and will take effect in 15 days. To view the interim final rule, visit www.regulations.gov. Comments will be accepted until 60 days after publication. At that time, the Department will consider the public comments, and the published final rule will include the Department’s response to any comments received.
Fee information may also be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, travel.state.gov, and on the websites of U.S. embassies and consulates.