Skip to content

British passport · United States

Do British citizens need a visa for the US?

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 1 Nov 2026

In brief

No visa, but an online authorisation: British passport holders need an online travel authorisation before they travel to the US for up to 90 days.

ESTA fee for British citizens: The ESTA fee is US$40.62 per application: US$10.62 for processing, plus US$30 charged only if the ESTA is approved. US$40.62 ≈ GBP 30, US$10.62 ≈ GBP 7.93, US$30 ≈ GBP 22 at the ECB rate of . Official fee. Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, checked .

Conditions: e-passport required.

Eligible citizens or nationals from VWP countries must obtain approval through ESTA prior to traveling to the United States under the VWP.U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityApply only at esta.cbp.dhs.govReport a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. At a glance
  3. Do British citizens need a visa?
  4. Visa types
  5. How to apply
  6. Apply from the UK
  7. Fee
  8. Processing time
  9. Documents
  10. What changed
  11. FAQ
  12. Sources

At a glance

AccessETA · 90 dayse-passport required
StayUp to 90 days
Validity and entriesAn approved ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers multiple trips.2
Official feeThe ESTA fee is US$40.62 per application: US$10.62 for processing, plus US$30 charged only if the ESTA is approved.2The ESTA fee rose from US$21 to US$40 from 30 September 2025, under the 2025 budget law (HR-1).31 more below
Official processingNot stated by the official sources we read
Where to applyYou can apply for an ESTA at any time before travel; CBP recommends applying as soon as you start planning, or before buying airline tickets.6Official site: esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Do British citizens need a visa for the US?

U.S. Department of Homeland Security lists the UK among the countries whose nationals need an online travel authorisation before they travel. Stay: 90 days. Conditions: e-passport required.

“Eligible citizens or nationals from VWP countries must obtain approval through ESTA prior to traveling to the United States under the VWP.”

U.S. Department of Homeland Security · checked

Conditions and exceptions

  • You need an e-Passport (with an embedded chip) to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.

    You must have an e-Passport to use the VWP. An e-Passport is an enhanced secure passport with an embedded electronic chip.U.S. Customs and Border Protection · checked

  • The UK's place in the Visa Waiver Program covers only British citizens with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

    The United Kingdom refers only to British citizens who have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man)U.S. Department of Homeland Security · checked

US visa types for British citizens

How to apply

  1. You can apply for an ESTA at any time before travel; CBP recommends applying as soon as you start planning, or before buying airline tickets.

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection · checked

How to apply from the UK

  1. If the ESTA is refused, you can still travel only on a US visitor visa applied for at a US embassy or consulate.

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection · checked

Fee

These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.

Processing time

The official sources we read state no processing time.

Documents and entry checks

Not stated by the official sources we read, beyond a valid passport.

What changed

  1. The ESTA fee rose from US$21 to US$40 from 30 September 2025, under the 2025 budget law (HR-1). U.S. Customs and Border Protection · checked
  2. Since 16 October 2026 the ESTA fee has been US$40.62 after the yearly inflation adjustment; a refused application costs US$10.62. U.S. Department of Homeland Security · checked
  3. Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.

FAQ

Is the US visa-free for British citizens now?

There is no visa, but British citizens need an online travel authorisation before they travel for up to 90 days. Conditions: e-passport required.

How much does a US visa cost for British citizens?

The ESTA fee is US$40.62 per application: US$10.62 for processing, plus US$30 charged only if the ESTA is approved. The ESTA fee rose from US$21 to US$40 from 30 September 2025, under the 2025 budget law (HR-1). Since 16 October 2026 the ESTA fee has been US$40.62 after the yearly inflation adjustment; a refused application costs US$10.62.

Can I get a US visa in 7 days?

The official sources we read state no processing time.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. U.S. Department of Homeland Security: entry rule and entry conditionsdhs.gov · checked
  2. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): fees and visa typesesta.cbp.dhs.gov · checked
  3. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Federal Register notice 2025-16453, 28 August 2025): changesfederalregister.gov · checked
  4. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Federal Register notice 2026-20185, 1 October 2026): changesfederalregister.gov · checked
  5. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): visa types and how to applycbp.gov · checked
  6. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): entry conditions and how to applycbp.gov · checked
Was this page helpful?Report a change

Visa Almanac is an independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.