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United States Visa for United Kingdom Citizens 2026

e-Visa / eTA

UK citizens travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program using an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) instead of a visa; ESTA costs USD 21, is applied for online, and is usually approved within minutes to 72 hours, valid for 2 years and stays of up to 90 days.

Guide last updated October 7, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • A machine-readable passport with an embedded electronic chip (e-passport), valid for the duration of your stay
  • A completed ESTA application with passport and travel details
  • Email address to receive the ESTA approval notification
  • Proof of onward or return travel (airlines will check this before boarding)
  • No photo upload is required for ESTA
  • Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are captured by US Customs and Border Protection on arrival, not during the ESTA application
  • Travel health insurance is strongly recommended, as the US has no public healthcare access for visitors and costs are very high

Visa types

  • ESTA (Visa Waiver Program): for tourism or short business visits, valid 2 years or until passport expiry (whichever is sooner), allows multiple entries with each stay up to 90 days
  • B1/B2 visitor visa: a traditional sticker visa for those not eligible for ESTA (e.g. certain travel history to restricted countries, criminal record, or prior visa refusals), applied for at the US Embassy in London with an interview
  • Other categories (F student, H work, etc.) require a specific visa applied for in advance and are not covered by ESTA

How to apply online

  • Apply at the official US Customs and Border Protection ESTA portal (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) - avoid unofficial third-party sites that charge extra
  • Complete the online form with passport, personal, and travel details, plus eligibility questions (health, criminal history, prior travel to certain countries)
  • Pay the USD 21 fee by card
  • Most applications are approved within minutes, though CBP advises allowing up to 72 hours in case of delays
  • No physical document is issued - the approval is linked electronically to your passport number and checked by the airline and US border officials

Fees & processing time

  • ESTA fee: USD 21, paid online by card
  • No VFS/BLS agency fee for ESTA - it is applied for directly through the US government portal
  • Standard processing: usually instant to a few hours; CBP recommends applying at least 72 hours before travel
  • B1/B2 visa route (if ESTA is not available to you): visa fee USD 185, plus an interview appointment at the US Embassy in London, with wait times for appointments varying from days to several weeks

Tips for United Kingdom travelers

  • Apply for your ESTA as soon as you book your trip rather than waiting until the last minute - approvals are usually fast but delays do happen
  • Answer the eligibility questions honestly - a previous visa refusal or certain travel history (e.g. to Iran, Syria, or other restricted countries since 2011) will require a B1/B2 visa instead of ESTA
  • Double-check your passport details match your ESTA application exactly, especially if you've recently renewed your passport
  • Your ESTA remains linked to your old passport if you renew - update your ESTA with new passport details before travelling
  • Border officers at US ports of entry have final discretion over admission even with an approved ESTA, so carry evidence of your trip purpose, accommodation, and return travel

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

More visa guides for United Kingdom passport holders

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.