A US visa is for people who do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. UK citizens who are eligible travel with an approved ESTA instead of a visa; they need a US visa if they are not eligible, for example after travel to Cuba on or after 12 January 2021, or to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 2011, or if they have an arrest or criminal record, a previous refusal or deportation, or a previous ESTA overstay. US citizens do not apply for a US visa at all: they enter on a US passport.
This guide follows the entry requirements published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for the United States (GOV.UK, updated 30 October 2026), read on 12 November 2026. The US government sites that carry the official visa procedure, fees and interview rules (travel.state.gov and the U.S. Embassy in London) refused automated access on that date, so this page does not quote fees, processing times or interview rules: read them on the official pages before you apply.
The US visa at a glance
- You need either a valid ESTA or a visa to enter or transit through the US (UK FCDO).
- ESTA applies under the Visa Waiver Program; apply on the Official ESTA Application Website or the ESTA Mobile app.
- If you are not eligible for an ESTA, you must apply for a US visa; travelling on an ESTA when ineligible can lead to detention and deportation.
- A valid ESTA or visa does not guarantee entry; officers can refuse you, for example if they think you plan to stay longer than permitted.
- Visa appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited: plan as far ahead as possible.
- Children aged 17 and under need a valid visa or ESTA too.
ESTA or visa: which do you need?
US citizens
A US citizen does not need a visa or an ESTA to enter the United States. The UK FCDO notes that US law requires US citizens, including British-US dual nationals, to enter and exit the US using a US passport. The rest of this page is for travellers of other nationalities, in particular UK citizens.
UK citizens
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 30 October 2026), you must have either an ESTA or a visa to enter or transit through the US, depending on your personal circumstances and purpose of travel. The FCDO says you may not be able to apply for an ESTA if you have been arrested (even without a conviction), have a criminal record, have been refused admission to or deported from the US, or have previously overstayed under an ESTA. The table below summarises when a visa is required instead.
| Your situation | Document | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, trip that fits ESTA rules (see our ESTA guide) | ESTA | UK FCDO |
| Not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program | US visa, applied for at a US embassy or consulate | UK FCDO |
| Travel to or presence in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021 | US visa (no ESTA) | UK FCDO |
| Presence in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 2011 | Normally a US visa (the FCDO says you cannot normally apply for an ESTA) | UK FCDO |
| Arrest, criminal record, previous refusal or deportation, previous ESTA overstay | You may not be able to apply for an ESTA: check eligibility, otherwise apply for a visa | UK FCDO |
| Business travel on behalf of a US company | An ESTA may not be enough: check the ESTA website rules carefully | UK FCDO |
| ESTA refused | Apply for a visa | UK FCDO |
How to apply for a visa
The UK FCDO sends UK citizens to the US Embassy in London for the procedure and says to check its guidance carefully. Visa appointments there are limited, so plan your application as far ahead as possible before travel; for an urgent trip you can request an expedited interview through the Embassy’s appointment service provider. Apply only through the official US government channels (the embassy and the U.S. Department of State): private websites charge fees to “help” fill in forms. The current visa categories, application form, fees and interview requirements are published on travel.state.gov and the U.S. Embassy in the UK site, which we could not read on 12 November 2026, so check them there.
Documents and rules at the border
- Passport valid for the length of your planned stay (UK FCDO). If you pass through another country on the way, check its rules: many require at least 6 months of validity.
- Your ESTA must contain the selfie photograph now required by US Customs and Border Protection; otherwise you may need to apply for a new ESTA (UK FCDO). Check your ESTA account before you fly.
- Children aged 17 and under: a valid visa or ESTA, evidence of the purpose, location and length of the visit if asked, and a letter of consent, preferably in English and notarised, if travelling alone, with one parent or with someone who is not a parent or legal guardian (UK FCDO).
- Be ready to show the purpose of your trip: the FCDO says officers can refuse entry if they think you will stay longer than permitted or if information is inaccurate or incomplete.
Common mistakes
- Travelling on an ESTA when you are not eligible: the FCDO warns of detention and deportation.
- Forgetting a past stay in Cuba or one of the listed countries when answering the ESTA questions.
- Booking a non-refundable ticket before your visa is approved: appointments are limited and a visa does not guarantee entry.
- Using an unofficial site for the ESTA or the visa form.
Planning the rest of your trip
Once your ESTA or visa is sorted, our United States guide presents the main regions; for a first trip, look at New York, California or Florida. For local time across the coasts, see the time difference with the United States. Medical costs are high, so travel insurance with a suitable medical limit is strongly advised.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to go to the United States?
US citizens do not. UK citizens need either an approved ESTA (if eligible for the Visa Waiver Program) or a visa, according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 30 October 2026).
What is the difference between an ESTA and a visa?
An ESTA is an automated authorisation applied for online under the Visa Waiver Program. A visa is applied for at a US embassy or consulate.
When must I apply for a visa instead of an ESTA?
When you are not eligible for an ESTA, for example after travel to Cuba on or after 12 January 2021, a stay in certain countries since March 2011, an arrest or criminal record, a previous refusal or deportation, or an earlier ESTA overstay.
How long does a US visa take?
We could not read the official processing times on 12 November 2026. The UK FCDO says appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited and advises applying as far ahead as possible.
I travelled to Cuba: can I still use an ESTA?
No. The UK FCDO says you cannot apply for an ESTA if you travelled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021; you must apply for a visa.
Our sources
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, “USA travel advice: entry requirements” (GOV.UK, updated 30 October 2026), read on 12 November 2026.
- Official ESTA Application Website (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) and U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov: referenced by the FCDO; their pages could not be read on 12 November 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.