Important Travel Document Information – Please Read
To enter the US, British citizens must first get an ESTA travel authorization in the form of a UK to USA Visa. An ESTA travel authorization is unsuitable for citizens of the United Kingdom who are relocating to the United States or seeking permission to work legally.
The ESTA application form for UK citizens is simple and quick to fill out. For their travel authorization to be accepted, applicants from the United Kingdom must meet specific requirements. If you reside in the UK and are not a British Citizen, you must apply for the B1/B2 visa instead.
Do UK citizens need visa for USA?
UK Citizens wishing to travel to the USA must apply for an ESTA visa waiver. This grants travel authorisation for trips of up to 90 days to the USA. For any longer visits, you should apply for a full visa such as a B1/B2 visitor visa.
UK to USA Visa Process
- Check what visa is most suitable
- Make your selection and complete the online application
- Pay the service fee
- Your submission will be reviewed
- Your documentation will be processed and provided to you
- Guidance for the appointment booking will be given if applicable
- Attend your interview if required
- Wait for processing and receive your visa
UK to USA Visa Requirements
If you are required to attend an interview, you will have to bring your passport and the documentation that will be provided after submitted your online application.
When applying for a UK to USA visa, you should have all of your passport & travel details on hand. Depending on the visa type, you will require:
Your passport details
Your travel itinerary
Point of contact details in the USA
A passport-style photograph
A negative COVID test before entering
How long can a UK citizen stay in the US?
This depends on the visa you have been granted. With an ESTA, UK citizens may only stay in the USA for up to 90 days at a time. Tourism, certain types of commercial travel, and transit through another country are permitted under the VWP.
With a B1/B2 visitor visa you may stay for up to 6 months at a time.
Can I apply for a US visa in the UK?
Yes. ESTA applications can be completed online with no appointments or in-person visits required. Full visas such as the B1/B2 will require an appointment at the local US Embassy in London.
How long does it take to get a US visa from UK?
ESTA applications are usually processed on the same day and receive a result within 72 hours at the latest.
For tourist and visitor visas, the average processing time is 21 workdays from the date on which the application is received by the Embassy. However, this can vary depending on the time of year and the current workload of the Embassy. For example, processing times are typically longer during the summer months when there is more demand for visas.
If your application is approved during a visa interview, the average processing time is 5-7 working days. However, you should allow at least a further 2-3 workdays for delivery of your passport.
USA Visa Types
A UK to USA Visa is required for any foreign national wishing to enter the United States when travelling from the United Kingdom. There are many USA visa options which you can see below:
What if my visa gets refused?
If you are refused for the ESTA visa waiver program then your next course of action would be to apply for the non-immigrant B2 visitor visa application.
If you are rejected for a non-immigrant visa, you are permitted to contest this decision. A standard form is distributed by the consulate of the Member State that decided to deny the visa in order to inform the applicant of the decision to deny a UK to US visa and the reasons for the denial.
People Also Asked...
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows British citizens to travel to the United States for tourist or business for durations of up to 90 days without a visa.
The application process for a UK to US visa can be arduous and time-consuming, but if you hold a British passport, this is not an issue because British residents are exempt from the American visa requirement. If you hold a British passport, you do not require a particular US Visa for UK citizens in order to enter the United States; instead, you only require an ESTA.
Visa processing takes typically 21 business days from the date the Embassy receives the application. Allow an additional two to three business days for the return of your passport.
There is no restriction on the number of times you may visit the United States with either an ESTA authorization or a visa. However, if you are re-entering the U.S. using ESTA after a stay of approximately 90 days, you may expect to be questioned in length about the purpose of your visit.
A customs officer will grant you permission to remain in the United States for up to six months upon entry. If you wish to prolong your stay, you may be able to apply for a one-year extension.
To enter or transit the United States as a visitor, you will need a visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) visa waiver.