Do UK citizens need a visa for United States?
You need an approved ESTA, or a visa, before you travel to the United States. Under the Visa Waiver Program an ESTA covers tourism or business for up to 90 days. An approval does not guarantee entry.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa needed? | Yes: an ESTA for an eligible Visa Waiver Program trip, or a visa if you are not eligible. |
| Maximum stay | Up to 90 days. You cannot extend that stay or change status while you are in the United States. |
| Cost | USD 40.62 on the CBP ESTA website. CBP says unpaid applications still in the system after the fee update on 16 October 2026 are charged this amount. |
| How to apply | Only on the CBP website or in the ESTA app published by CBP. An approval is generally valid for two years, or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner. It is linked to that passport. |
| Passport validity | GOV.UK says the passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay. CBP says Visa Waiver Program travel requires an e-passport, which is a passport with a chip. |
| Other documents | A return or onward ticket. Each traveller needs their own ESTA or visa, including children aged 17 and under. GOV.UK says a child not travelling with both parents should carry a consent letter, preferably in English and notarised. |
| Official link | Use the authority’s own website. Entry Visa Guide does not take applications. · CBP ESTA application website (opens in a new tab) |
Apply only on the government website linked above. This site does not issue the authorisation and does not take the application. Other websites charge their own service fee on top of any government charge.
How to apply
- Read the eligibility questions before you pay. An arrest, a criminal record, a previous overstay, or a refusal can make an ESTA the wrong route. You then need a visa from a US embassy.
- Apply on esta.cbp.dhs.gov (opens in a new tab). CBP also offers an ESTA mobile app. Do not use a lookalike site. Any extra fee on another site is that site’s charge, not the US government fee.
- Check the approval is tied to the passport you will carry, and that it includes the selfie CBP now requires. GOV.UK says you may need a new ESTA if the selfie is missing.
- Travel for tourism or business only, and leave within 90 days. Paid work, study as your main purpose, or a longer stay needs a visa.
Who cannot use an ESTA
GOV.UK says you cannot normally use the Visa Waiver Program if you were in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 2011, or if you travelled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021. Dual nationals of those countries should read the CBP questions before applying.
GOV.UK also says an ESTA may not cover every business trip, especially travel on behalf of a US company. If you are unsure, use the US embassy visa route rather than travel on an ESTA you are not eligible for. GOV.UK warns that can lead to detention and removal.
CBP says an approved ESTA is generally valid for two years or until the passport expires. You need a new ESTA, and you pay again, when either date passes. A step-by-step walk-through is in ESTA step by step.
Recent changes
- Checked against GOV.UK USA entry requirements, the CBP Visa Waiver Program pages, and the ESTA fee shown on esta.cbp.dhs.gov. · source (opens in a new tab)
FAQ
Is an ESTA a visa?
No. CBP describes ESTA as the system that checks whether you may travel under the Visa Waiver Program. The US government issues it. This website does not.
How long can I stay?
Up to 90 days for tourism or business. CBP says you cannot extend that stay or change to another status under the Visa Waiver Program.
Do I need an ESTA if I already have a US visa?
No. CBP says people travelling on a valid visa for the purpose it was issued do not need an ESTA.
Does a land arrival also need an ESTA?
GOV.UK says Visa Waiver Program travellers entering by land, sea, or air need an approved ESTA before they apply for admission. Check the CBP page if your crossing is unusual, such as a private boat.
Sources
- GOV.UK: USA entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- US Customs and Border Protection: ESTA application (opens in a new tab)
- US Customs and Border Protection: Visa Waiver Program and ESTA questions (opens in a new tab)
- US Customs and Border Protection: Visa Waiver Program (opens in a new tab)
Related reading
Independent guide, not legal advice. Entry Visa Guide is an independent information site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or run by any government or public authority. Always check official sources before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Report an error.