US Embassies with the shortest renunciation wait times

Some US Embassies currently have significantly shorter renunciation appointment waits than others. However, the US government does not publish embassy-by-embassy renunciation timelines.

Based on Expat Tax Online client cases, practitioner tracking, recent applicant reports, and embassy guidance, Frankfurt, Croatia, and Bulgaria currently have some of the shortest observed wait times, with estimated appointment availability of up to 1 month.

Published on: May 13, 2026

Written by: Clark Stott

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Which US Embassies have the shortest renunciation wait times?

The table below summarizes the shortest renunciation wait times currently observed based on our internal reports and embassy guidance.

Last updated: May 2026

Embassy / Location	Estimated wait time
Frankfurt	Up to 1 month
Croatia	Up to 1 month
Bulgaria	Up to 1 month
Bern	1-2 months
Baku	1-2 months
Luxembourg	2-3 months
Madrid	4+ months
Vienna	4+ months
Singapore	5+ months
Australia	6+ months
Canada	9+ months
London	12+ months

These are unofficial estimates and should be treated as a practical guide only. Wait times can change quickly depending on local demand, embassy staffing, scheduling procedures, and whether the embassy accepts non-resident applicants.

Does the US government publish official renunciation wait times?

No, not in one central table. The US government does not publish a central list of renunciation wait times by embassy or consulate. That means there is no official State Department table showing the fastest US Embassy for renunciation, the shortest appointment wait, or live availability by country.

How Expat Tax Online gathered this information

This list is based on original data and practical observations from renunciation cases handled by Expat Tax Online.

As a US expat tax firm, we regularly assist Americans abroad with renunciation-related tax issues, including final filing requirements, Form 8854, exit tax considerations, and post-renunciation compliance. Through these cases, we monitor appointment availability, scheduling delays, and patterns of the embassy backlog reported by applicants and practitioners.

Our estimates are compiled from:

Expat Tax Online client experience
Practitioner observations from our renunciation support work
Recent online reports from people currently renouncing US citizenship
Publicly available embassy guidance, where available
Recurring appointment trends across recent cases

We have only included locations where we currently have a reasonable level of confidence in the wait time. There are many more US Embassies and consulates worldwide, but not every location has enough reliable, up-to-date information to include.

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Fastest locations currently reported

Based on our data, Frankfurt, Zagreb, and Sofia currently appear to have some of the fastest renunciation appointment availability.

Several patterns stand out among shorter-wait locations:

Many are smaller European posts
Some appear to receive lower overall renunciation demand
Several may be more accessible to applicants willing to travel
They generally attract less attention than major English-speaking expat hubs

Bern and Baku also appear comparatively faster than larger locations such as London or major Canadian posts, although appointment availability can shift quickly.

Longer backlog locations

Longer renunciation backlogs are commonly reported in major expat hubs such as London, Canada, and Australia. These locations often experience heavier demand because they serve large populations of:

US expats
Dual citizens
Accidental Americans
Long-term overseas residents

London, for example, serves a very large American community in the UK. Canada also has a large population of US citizens, dual citizens, and accidental Americans who may be considering renunciation.

Why do renunciation wait times vary by embassy?

Renunciation wait times vary because each embassy manages its own appointment availability.

Common factors include:

Local US expat demand
Number of available consular officers
Local appointment scheduling systems
Whether the embassy accepts non-residents
Document pre-screening requirements
Administrative backlogs
Sudden increases in renunciation demand

A smaller embassy may have fewer staff, but it may also have far fewer applicants. A major expat hub may have more resources, but also much heavier demand.

Can I renounce US citizenship outside my country of residence?

Yes. Many US citizens successfully renounce outside their country of residence, although embassy policies on non-resident applicants vary. Some US Embassies may accept non-resident renunciation applicants. Others may prioritize local residents or decline non-resident requests.

Before choosing an embassy based on wait time, applicants should confirm:

Whether the embassy handles renunciation cases
Whether it accepts non-residents
What documents are required
Whether one or more appointments are needed
How appointment requests must be submitted

How long does the full renunciation process take?

The full renunciation process can take longer than the embassy appointment wait time.

There are usually several stages:

Preparing documents and reviewing eligibility
Requesting an embassy appointment
Attending the renunciation appointment
Waiting for the Certificate of Loss of Nationality, or CLN
Completing final US tax filings where required

For tax purposes, renunciation can also involve closing tax filings, Form 8854, and a possible exit tax review. This is where many applicants need careful advice, especially if they have pensions, investments, foreign companies, trusts, or unresolved US tax filings.

What should US expats do before choosing an embassy?

US expats should not choose an embassy based only on the shortest estimated timelines. Before scheduling a renunciation appointment, US expats should review both the embassy process and the potential tax consequences.

Renunciation planning checklist for US expats

Renunciation planning checklist	Why it matters
Confirm whether you are fully compliant with US tax filing requirements	Outstanding filings or unresolved IRS issues can complicate the renunciation process
Determine whether you may qualify as a covered expatriate	Covered expatriate status can trigger additional tax consequences under US expatriation rules
Review whether the exit tax could apply to you	Some high-net-worth individuals may face a potential expatriation tax
Check whether you need to file Form 8854	Form 8854 is commonly required when renouncing US citizenship
Confirm whether the embassy accepts non-resident applicants	Some embassies allow non-residents, while others prioritize local residents
Compare travel costs against the time saved	A faster embassy appointment may still involve expensive or impractical travel
Verify that the estimated timeline is still current	Embassy appointment timelines can change quickly
Review whether you need one or multiple embassy appointments	Some embassies may require additional pre-screening or follow-up appointments
Prepare the required identity and citizenship documents	Missing documents can delay scheduling or processing
Plan for post-renunciation tax filing obligations	Renunciation does not automatically eliminate final US tax filing responsibilities

How often will this wait-time list be updated?

This page will be updated frequently as new information becomes available.

Renunciation appointment availability is volatile. Embassy staffing, local demand, internal scheduling systems, and policy changes can all affect wait times.

Because of that, the estimates above should be treated as a helpful guide, not a guaranteed timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a US Embassy refuse a renunciation appointment?
An embassy may not offer an appointment immediately, may restrict non-resident scheduling, or may temporarily limit loss-of-nationality services because of staffing or operational constraints
Can I speed up a renunciation appointment?
Does the embassy decide whether I owe an exit tax?
Can I renounce if I have unfiled US taxes?
Do I need two renunciation appointments?
Usually, yes. Current State Department guidance states that a person requesting a Certificate of Loss of Nationality must complete two interviews with a US diplomatic or consular officer abroad, with at least one conducted in person.

However, the scheduling format can vary by embassy. Some embassies may combine parts of the process into a single in-person visit, while others may separate the interviews into multiple appointments or include additional pre-screening steps. Applicants should confirm the current procedure directly with the specific embassy or consulate handling the case.

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Clark Stott has been with Expat Tax Online since 2015. Being a dual national based in the UK, Clark has unique experience helping US citizens (and Accidental Americans) become tax compliant via the Streamlined Tax Amnesty program. Clark likes to help Americans in the UK keep their tax situations as simple as possible to avoid harsh IRS treatment.