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Visit the U.S.
Generally, if you want to visit ( and not live in ) the United States you must first obtain a visitor visa . Travelers from certain countries may be exempt from this requirement. For more information, please see the U.S. Department of State website .
If you want to travel to the United States for reasons other than business or pleasure, you must apply for a visa in the appropriate category. This includes if you want to study, work as a crew member or journalist, etc. You can get help determining which visa you need by using the Explore My Options page.
Extending Your Visit
If Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorizes your admission to the United States at the designated port of entry, you will receive a stamped Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure . If you wish to stay beyond the time indicated on the Form I-94, you may apply for an extension by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status , with USCIS.
If You Lose Form I-94
You may apply for a replacement Form I-94 by filing a Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record .
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- Passports, travel and living abroad
- Travel abroad
- Foreign travel advice
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the US Embassy or a consulate in the UK .
COVID-19 rules
There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering the US.
Passport validity requirements
To enter the US, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay.
If you’re travelling through another country on your way to or from the US, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries will only allow entry if you have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport.
Dual nationals
US law requires US citizens to enter and exit the US using a US passport. Contact the US Embassy or a consulate in the UK for more information.
Visa requirements
To enter or transit through the US, you must have either an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation ( ESTA ) visa waiver or a visa .
The US State Department has more information on visas .
Applying for an ESTA visa waiver
Apply for an ESTA visa waiver through US Customs and Border Protection. You can also apply using the ESTA Mobile app on android or on iOS .
You cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you have:
- been arrested (even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction)
- a criminal record
- been refused admission into, or have been deported from the US
- previously overstayed under an ESTA visa waiver
You cannot normally apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you were in the following countries on or after March 2011:
- North Korea
You cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you travelled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021.
If you are not eligible for an ESTA , you must instead apply for a US visa.
Applying for a visa
The US Embassy in London has information on how to apply for a visa .
US visa appointments
Visa appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited. Plan your application as far ahead as possible before travel. If you need to travel urgently, you can request an expedited interview through the US Embassy’s appointment service provider.
The US Embassy has more information on visa appointments .
Children and young people
Anyone aged 17 and under must:
- have a valid visa or ESTA visa waiver on arrival
- be able to provide evidence about the purpose, location and length of their visit if asked by immigration officials
- have written consent from one or both parents if travelling alone, with only one parent, or with someone who is not a parent or legal guardian
The US authorities can stop you entering the country if they have safeguarding concerns about a child. If this happens, the US authorities will take the child into their care, and their return from the US could take months. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot speed up the return of British nationals aged 17 and under from the US.
The US government has information about children travelling to the US . If you have questions, contact the US Embassy in the UK .
Vaccine requirements
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s US guide .
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the US . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Global Entry programme
The US Customs and Border Protection programme Global Entry allows pre-approved travellers through border control faster at some US airports. If you’re a British citizen, you can register to get a UK background check . If you pass the background checks, you’ll be invited to apply for Global Entry.
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IMAGES
VIDEO
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Learn how to apply for a visitor visa to enter the United States temporarily for tourism or business. Find out the requirements, fees, documents, and interview process for different visa categories and nationalities.
Find out if you need a visa to visit the U.S. for tourism or business, and how to apply or renew it. Learn about the B-1 and B-2 visa categories, application fees, and interview requirements.
Learn about U.S. visa types, requirements, fees, and application process for foreign citizens. Find out how to check visa wait times, visa waiver eligibility, and visa forms for your travel purpose.
Find out if you need a visa, ESTA, or visa waiver to enter the U.S. for tourism or business. Learn how to apply, renew, check, or extend your visa or travel document.
Learn about the different types of visas for visiting the United States, such as tourism, study, business, and employment. Find out how to apply, where to apply, and what documents you need.
Visit the U.S. Generally, if you want to visit ( and not live in) the United States you must first obtain a visitor visa. Travelers from certain countries may be exempt from this requirement. For more information, please see the U.S. Department of State website. If you want to travel to the United States for reasons other than business or ...
General Required Documents - For All Visa Types. The following documents are required for all visa types: The current passport valid for travel to the United States. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay (H-1B renewal application date) in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements).
How to apply for or renew a U.S. tourist visa. If you visit the U.S. for tourism or business, you may need a visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa. Learn how to get and renew this type of nonimmigrant visa.
Form DS-160 confirmation page and code. Receipt of paid visa fees. Interview confirmation page. A letter which describes the purpose of your trip. Proof of financial means. Financial or bank statements to prove you have the finances to stay in the US of at least $266 for each day of your planned stay.
You are a citizen or eligible national of a Visa Waiver Program country. You are currently not in possession of a visitor's visa. Your travel is for 90 days or less. You plan to travel to the United States for business or pleasure. You want to apply for a new authorization for one person or a group of applications for two or more persons.
Know Before You Visit. Almost a million individuals enter the U.S. daily. Everyone arriving at a port of entry to the U.S. is subject to inspection by Customs and Border Protection officers for compliance with immigration, customs and agriculture regulations. The more international travelers know about what to expect, the easier and quicker the ...
Learn what documents you need to apply for a US visa, such as passport, photo, fee, form DS-160, and more. Find out the specific requirements for different visa types and how to prepare for the interview.
The DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, is for temporary travel to the United States, and for K (fiancé (e)) visas. Form DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State website via the Internet. Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal ...
A passport or other travel document: Your passport or travel document must contain multiple pages. U.S. visas are printed into a passport or travel document, not as a separate document or card, which means that one blank page is required for a visa to be printed. In addition, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommend that at least one ...
When entering the United States, the I-94 form shows the arrival and departure records of nonimmigrant visitors with a visa to visit the United States. The I-94 form must be completed by everyone except United States citizens, returning resident aliens, aliens with immigrant visas, Canadian citizens visiting or in-transit, people who completed ...
Visa requirements for United States citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states that are imposed on citizens of the United States.. As of 2024, holders of a United States passport may travel to 188 countries and territories without a travel visa, or with a visa on arrival.The United States passport currently ranks 7th in terms of travel freedom, according ...
Passport validity requirements. To enter the US, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay. If you're travelling through another country on your way to or from the US ...
If you are a U.S. citizen planning to travel outside the U.S., you may need a visa to enter a foreign country. Learn how to find your destination's visa requirements. While not all countries require visas for American travelers, many do. Look up your destination using the U.S. State Department's Learn About Your Destination search tool.
If you are applying for a visa for the first time, or are applying to renew a visa, you are required to take the same steps. Step One: Complete the online DS-160 and print the confirmation page for each person applying for a visa, regardless of age. Answer the questions to the best of your ability; we cannot assist you in completing the form.
Home Home / Visas / Nonimmigrant Visas. In general, a citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States temporarily must first obtain a U.S. nonimmigrant visa, which is placed in the traveler's passport. For information regarding the new VWP/ESTA eligibility requirements, click here. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs ...
Once you have electronically submitted your DS-160 online application, you must contact the embassy or consulate at which you wish to apply to confirm whether you need to be interviewed by a consular officer, and to schedule an interview. You can find a list of U.S. embassies and consulates here, with links to their websites where you can find ...
The Visa section of this website is about U.S. visas for foreign citizens and nationals to travel to the United States. Visit Travel.State.gov for additional information. Note: U.S. citizens do not need a U.S. visa for travel to the United States. When planning travel abroad a U.S. citizen may need a visa issued by the embassy or consulate of ...
Non-immigrant Visa to the United States for citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia are processed at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and at the Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran. Please visit our Global Support Services (GSS) website for complete information on applying for a nonimmigrant U.S. visa, including a directory of nonimmigrant visa categories.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.
From 10 May 2024, the financial requirement that applies to Student and Student Guardian visas will be set at $29,710 for an individual student. The new financial requirement apply to any visas lodged on or after 10 May 2024. For more information visit the Department of Home Affairs website. 2.
[1] With respect to all references to "country" or "countries" in this document, it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that "[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan."
Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories.