You must have a visa to travel

Travel requirements to the United States for British citizens

If you're travelling from the United Kingdom to the United States, the first step is understanding the visa requirements. Securing the right visa makes your entry into the United States as smooth as possible. Let's explore all the necessary travel documents, visa types, and health requirements for British citizens visiting the United States.

United States visa requirements for British citizens

Travellers need a travel authorization to visit United States of America for Business or Tourism.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an online application that determines the eligibility of visitors to enter United States. Once the application is approved, travellers receive their ESTA confirmation electronically.

Travellers visiting for more than 90 days per entry require a Visitor visa.

An ESTA is electronically linked to a passport and valid for 2 years. If travellers receive a new passport, they must apply for a new ESTA.

United States permanent residents or holders of valid United States visas don’t need an ESTA.

Travellers who visited Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, are no longer eligible for an ESTA and must apply for a visitor visa to enter the United States.

Travellers who visited Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia and Yemen on or after March 1, 2011, are no longer eligible for an ESTA and must apply for a visitor visa to enter the United States. Different requirements may apply to travellers who have visited these countries for diplomatic or military purposes. For further details on exceptions, please review the government website.

The MPC mobile app is available to United States citizens, United States lawful permanent residents, Canadian visitors, and returning Visa Waiver Program travellers with an approved ESTA. Travellers who do not meet one of these requirements are not eligible to use the MPC app.

The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app allows eligible travellers to submit their travel document, photo, and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their mobile device. The MPC app streamlines the traveller’s entry into the United States by reducing passport control inspection time. The MPC app does not require pre-approval. Travellers may experience shorter wait times and may be provided with a designated queue.

The MPC mobile app is currently available at the following locations:

  • Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH);
  • Anchorage International Airport (ANC);
  • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL);
  • Aruba Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA);
  • Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA);
  • Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI);
  • Boston Logan International Airport (BOS);
  • Calgary International Airport (YYC);
  • Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE);
  • Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT);
  • Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD);
  • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW);
  • Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW);
  • Denver International Airport (DEN);
  • Dulles International Airport (IAD);
  • Dublin Airport (DUB);
  • Edmonton International Airport (YEG);
  • Fairbanks International Airport (FAI);
  • Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL);
  • Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ);
  • Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL);
  • Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH);
  • Houston William P. Hobby International Airport (HOU);
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK);
  • Kansas City International Airport (MCI);
  • Las Vegas Harry Ried International Airport (LAS);
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX);
  • Miami International Airport (MIA);
  • Miami Seaport;
  • Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP);
  • Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL);
  • Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS);
  • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR);
  • Oakland International Airport (OAK);
  • Orlando International Airport (MCO);
  • Ottawa International Airport (YOW);
  • Palm Beach Seaport;
  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL);
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX);
  • Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT);
  • Port Everglades Seaport;
  • Portland International Airport (PDX);
  • Sacramento International Airport (SMF);
  • Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC);
  • San Diego International Airport (SAN);
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO);
  • San Jose International Airport (SJC);
  • San Juan Airport (SJU);
  • San Juan Seaport;
  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA);
  • Shannon Airport (SNN);
  • Tampa International Airport (TPA);
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ);
  • Vancouver International Airport (YVR);
  • Winnipeg James A Richardson International Airport (YWG).

Travellers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) by air or sea must have a return or onward ticket.

This requirement doesn’t apply to the following travellers:

  • Permanent residents of the United States;
  • Travellers entering the United States by land from Canada or Mexico.

Requirements for travellers holding other visa categories may differ.

Travellers need a valid passport to enter United States. The traveller's passport must remain valid throughout the traveller's stay in United States. The passport must have at least 1 blank page.

Travellers bringing dogs into the United States from countries or regions deemed rabies-free or low-risk are required to complete a CDC Dog Import Form.

The countries and regions deemed rabies-free or low-risk are:

  • Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City

The form is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and can be used for multiple entries into the United States as long as the dog has not been in a high-risk country in the last 6 months.

Travellers can complete the form on the day of travel. The form can be printed or displayed on a phone screen to United States customs officials or airlines.

Dogs must appear healthy upon arrival, be at least 6 months old at the time of entry or return to the United States, and must have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner.

Different requirements apply to dogs that have been in high-risk countries or regions in the last 6 months.

Step-by-step guide to the United States visa applications

For British citizens travelling to the United States, it's important to find out the type of visa you need. Check if you need a single-entry eVisa, multiple-entry eVisa, or a visa on arrival. Once you know, you'll be ready to apply.
Complete the online visa application. Follow the instructions carefully and make sure you have all the required documents. You may need a passport valid for at least six months after your visit, a return ticket, and proof of enough funds to cover any fees.
Once your visa is approved, you’ll receive an email with your eVisa and important instructions. Be sure to read everything carefully.

Exploring more visa-free destinations for British citizens

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic

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Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago

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Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda

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British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands

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Türkiye (Turkey)

Türkiye (Turkey)

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Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands

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Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Select your passport to see visas and travel requirements by country

Visa FAQs: For British citizens travelling to the United States

If your visa application is denied, the first step is to review the reason for the denial provided by the American consulate or embassy. Address any issues or missing information that may have led to the denial. You may have the option to reapply with the corrected or additional information. Consulting with a visa specialist or an immigration attorney can also help you understand your next steps and improve your chances of approval on reapplication.
If you lose your visa while in the United States, immediately contact the nearest embassy or consulate for assistance. They can guide you on the steps to take, which may include obtaining a replacement visa or emergency travel documents. It's also advisable to keep digital copies of your important travel documents, including your visa and passport, to expedite the replacement process.
Yes, you can easily apply for an eVisa using the form above. British citizens can apply for both single entry and multiple entry eVisas online. The process involves filling out an application form, submitting the required documents, and paying the visa fee. Once approved, the eVisa will be sent to your email, making the application process convenient and efficient.
Generally, no specific health checks or vaccinations are required when applying for a United States visa. However, you should be aware of the following health-related regulations in place while in the United States:
  • Health screening: While not always required, officials might ask for a health certificate or a medical exam upon arrival. This is more likely if you're coming from an area with a health outbreak or if you show signs of illness.
While these are the current regulations, it is always advisable to check for any updates or changes to health requirements closer to your travel date.