If you’re a British citizen planning a holiday, business trip or stopover in the United States, you’ll almost certainly need an ESTA. It’s widely called an “ESTA visa”, although it isn’t technically a visa. It’s an online travel authorisation that lets eligible UK travellers visit the USA for up to 90 days without going to the US Embassy.
Most UK citizens don’t need a US visa for tourism, short business trips or transit. They need an approved ESTA. It costs $40.27 (about £30), rising to $40.62 from 16 October 2026. You apply on the US government’s official ESTA website or the ESTA Mobile app, and an approved ESTA normally lasts two years.
The details still matter. A wrong answer on the form, an old caution, a new passport or a holiday in Cuba can all affect your ESTA application. This guide covers everything you need to get an ESTA visa for America from the UK first time. It’s based on official guidance from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
ESTA Visa UK at a Glance
| What it is | Electronic travel authorisation for the US Visa Waiver Program |
| Who needs it | British citizens visiting the USA for up to 90 days for tourism, business or transit |
| Official fee | $40.27 (about £30); $40.62 from 16 October 2026 |
| If refused | You’re still charged about $10 |
| Where to apply | esta.cbp.dhs.gov or the ESTA Mobile app (publisher: U.S. Customs and Border Protection) |
| Approval time | Usually minutes; up to 72 hours |
| Validity | 2 years, or until your passport expires if sooner |
| Maximum stay per visit | 90 days |
| Multiple trips | Yes, while it’s valid |
| Passport | British citizen e-passport (not an emergency travel document) |
| Print it? | Not required, but keep a copy |
What Is an ESTA Visa?
ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It’s an automated online system run by US Customs and Border Protection. It checks whether you’re eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program before you board a plane or ship.
You answer questions about your identity, your trip and your background. CBP checks your answers against security and law-enforcement databases and decides whether you can travel without a visa. ESTA has been mandatory for Visa Waiver Program travellers since January 2009.
Is an ESTA a visa?
No. An ESTA is an electronic travel authorisation, not a visa:
- A visa is issued by a US embassy or consulate, usually after an interview, and is placed in your passport.
- An ESTA is granted online and linked digitally to your passport. Nothing is stamped or printed.
An ESTA lets you board a flight or ship to the USA. It doesn’t guarantee entry. The final decision is made by a CBP officer when you arrive.
What is the Visa Waiver Program?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) lets citizens of 42 countries, including the United Kingdom, visit the USA for up to 90 days without a visa. Under the programme, you can visit for:
- tourism: holidays, sightseeing, visiting friends and family
- business: meetings, conferences, trade shows, negotiating contracts
- transit: changing planes in the USA on the way to another country
- medical treatment
- short recreational courses that don’t count towards a qualification
Who needs an ESTA Visa?
You need an approved ESTA if you:
- hold a British citizen passport
- are travelling for one of the purposes above for 90 days or less
- don’t already hold a valid US visa
Everyone in your party needs their own ESTA, including babies and children. An ESTA is required whether you arrive by air, by sea (including cruises) or by land from Canada or Mexico.
Do UK Citizens Need a Visa for the USA?
Most UK citizens don’t need a visa for the USA for short visits. If you hold a British citizen passport and you’re visiting for tourism, business or transit for up to 90 days, an approved ESTA is enough.
When an ESTA is enough
- A family holiday to Florida, New York, Las Vegas or California
- Visiting friends or relatives
- Business meetings, conferences and trade shows
- A cruise that starts, ends or calls at a US port
- Changing planes in the USA on the way to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America
- A road trip into the USA from Canada
When UK citizens need a US visa
You’ll need a visa, usually the B1/B2 visitor visa, if any of the following apply:
- You want to stay longer than 90 days.
- You plan to work in the USA, including paid jobs and internships.
- You’re studying for academic credit.
- You’re a journalist travelling for work (this needs an I visa).
- You have certain arrests, cautions or convictions (see the criminal records section below).
- You’ve been refused an ESTA, refused entry to the USA, or deported.
- You’ve overstayed a previous ESTA or visa, even by one day.
- You’ve visited Cuba on or after 12 January 2021.
- You’ve visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011. There are limited exceptions for official military or government duty, but these don’t apply to Cuba.
- You’re also a national of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan or Syria.
- Your passport isn’t a British citizen passport, for example a British National (Overseas) or British Overseas Territories Citizen passport.Only British citizens with the right of abode in the UK qualify for the Visa Waiver Program on a British passport.
The US visa for UK citizens is applied for online (the DS-160 form), followed by an interview at the US Embassy in London or the US Consulate General in Belfast. The application fee for a B1/B2 visa is currently $185. A further $250 “visa integrity fee” became US law in 2025 but is not yet being collected, so check the current fee before applying. Interview waits are often several weeks, so apply early.
ESTA Visa Requirements for UK Travellers
Passport requirements
- You need a British citizen e-passport. Look for the chip symbol on the front cover. Every British passport issued since 2006 has a chip.
- Emergency travel documents can’t be used for ESTA. If your passport is lost or stolen, you’ll need a full replacement passport and a new ESTA before travelling to the USA.
- Your passport must be valid for your whole stay. The UK is exempt from the US “six months’ validity” rule, but airlines and countries you transit through may apply stricter rules. Six months’ validity is the safest option.
- Your ESTA is tied to one passport. If you renew or replace your passport, you need a new ESTA.
Other eligibility rules
You must:
- be travelling for 90 days or less, for an allowed purpose
- if arriving by air or sea, hold a return or onward ticket out of the USA. An onward ticket to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean usually only counts if you live there.
- have no disqualifying criminal, immigration or travel history
What you can’t do on an ESTA Visa
You can’t use an ESTA to:
- take a job or be paid by a US organisation for work done in the USA
- study for credit
- work as a foreign journalist
- live in the USA, or “reset” your 90 days by crossing into Canada or Mexico
Working remotely on holiday: checking emails or taking the odd call for your UK employer is generally treated as incidental. If doing your UK job is the main reason for the trip, or you’ll be working there for an extended period, get professional advice before you travel.
Dual nationality
- Dual nationals of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan or Syria aren’t eligible for ESTA, even if they’ve never visited that country.
- Dual British–American citizens must enter the USA on their US passport and shouldn’t apply for an ESTA.
- Dual nationals of another Visa Waiver Program country can use either passport, but the ESTA must match the passport you travel on.
For more on holding two nationalities, see our guide to dual citizenship in the UK.
Live in the UK but Not a British Citizen?
Whether you can use ESTA depends on your nationality, not where you live. If you live in the UK on a visa or with Indefinite Leave to Remain, you can only use ESTA if your own passport is from a Visa Waiver Program country. Otherwise, you’ll need a US visa.
If you hold ILR, also check how long you can stay outside the UK with ILR before planning long trips abroad. If you’re eligible, applying for British citizenship gives you a British passport and access to ESTA.
Criminal Records, Cautions and Drink-Driving: Can You Get an ESTA?
This is the area where UK travellers most often go wrong, because UK rules on spent convictions don’t apply to US immigration. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (and Scotland’s equivalent rules) may mean you don’t have to declare an old conviction to a UK employer. The US authorities still expect truthful answers, however long ago the offence was.
The ESTA form asks whether you’ve ever been arrested or convicted for a crime that resulted in serious damage to property, or serious harm to another person or government authority. It asks separately whether you’ve ever violated any law relating to illegal drugs.
| Situation | Usual ESTA position |
|---|---|
| Speeding, parking or other minor motoring offences | Generally don’t need to be declared |
| A single drink-driving conviction with no injury or aggravating factors | Usually not treated as serious enough to bar ESTA, but get advice if unsure |
| Drink-driving involving injury, or repeat offences | Likely to need a visa |
| Any drug offence, including a caution for possession | Usually ineligible for ESTA; apply for a visa |
| Theft, fraud, assault and other “crimes involving moral turpitude” | Usually ineligible for ESTA |
| An arrest without a charge or conviction | Depends on the offence; get advice |
Why cautions matter: since 2008, a police caution in England and Wales has required you to admit the offence. US authorities treat that as an admission of the crime, so a caution can count against you in the same way as a conviction.
If you’re unsure, don’t guess. Answering “No” when the answer should be “Yes” is treated as misrepresentation and can lead to a permanent ban from the USA. Getting an ESTA refused, or applying for a visa, doesn’t stop you travelling for good. Many people with old convictions travel on a visa, sometimes with a waiver. A US immigration lawyer can advise on your specific situation.
How to Apply for an ESTA From the UK: Step-by-Step
The ESTA application usually takes 20–30 minutes per person.
What you’ll need
- your British citizen e-passport
- a smartphone or computer with a camera
- a debit or credit card
- an email address
- your current or most recent employer’s details (if applicable)
- your parents’ full names
- an emergency contact
- your US address (a hotel is fine) and a US point of contact, if you have one
Step 1: Use the official ESTA website or app
Apply only through:
- the Official ESTA Application Website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov, or
- the ESTA Mobile app, published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the App Store and Google Play
The web address must end in .gov. Any other site is a private company (see “Avoid unofficial ESTA websites” below).
Step 2: Choose an individual or group application
A group application lets one person complete and pay for a family or party in one go. Each traveller is still assessed separately and gets their own ESTA. You can also apply on behalf of someone else, such as an elderly relative, but the answers must be theirs and accurate.
Step 3: Scan your passport and take a selfie
You’ll be asked to:
- photograph the photo page of your passport, which fills in many fields automatically
- take a live selfie, which CBP now requires on every application
Selfie tips:
- Use a plain, light background and good lighting.
- Remove hats and sunglasses, and don’t use filters.
- Take the photo during the application. Don’t upload an old photo or a scan of your passport picture. There have been reports of ESTAs being cancelled for this.
Step 4: Check your personal and passport details
Compare every field with your passport: name, date and place of birth, passport number, and issue and expiry dates. You’ll also be asked about other nationalities, past or present.
Common mistakes: mixing up the letter “O” and the number “0”, or entering the wrong expiry date. A passport-number error means a new application and a new fee.
Step 5: Contact, employment and social media details
You’ll enter your home address, phone number, email, parents’ names and employment details. There’s also a social media question. At the time of writing it’s optional, although the US government has proposed making five years of social media history mandatory.
Step 6: Travel details and US point of contact information
If you’re not travelling in transit, you’ll be asked for:
- US point of contact information: a person or organisation in the USA
- your address while in the USA
- an emergency contact, in the USA or at home
What to put for “US point of contact information” (one of the most searched ESTA questions):
- Staying in a hotel? Enter the hotel’s name, address and phone number.
- Visiting friends or family? Enter their details.
- On business? Enter the company you’re visiting.
- Not booked yet? You can enter “UNKNOWN”. This is accepted.
You don’t need flight details to apply, so you can apply before booking.
Step 7: Answer the ESTA eligibility questions
These ESTA questions decide most applications. In summary, they ask whether you:
- have a physical or mental disorder, drug abuse or addiction, or certain communicable diseases
- have been arrested or convicted for a crime causing serious damage to property, or serious harm to another person or government authority
- have violated any law related to illegal drugs
- have engaged in terrorism, espionage, sabotage or genocide
- have committed fraud or misrepresented yourself to obtain a visa or entry to the USA
- are seeking work in the USA, or have worked there without permission
- have been refused a US visa or refused entry to the USA, or withdrawn an application for entry at the border
- have stayed in the USA longer than permitted
- have travelled to the restricted countries listed earlier since the relevant dates
Answer every question honestly. A “Yes” usually means the ESTA is refused and you’ll need a visa. A false “No” risks a permanent ban.
Step 8: Review and pay
Check the summary page carefully. It’s your last chance to fix errors before paying. The official site accepts major debit and credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
Step 9: Save your application number
You’ll get an application number as soon as you submit. Screenshot or write it down. Most decisions appear on screen within minutes and are emailed to you.
ESTA Cost From the UK (2026)
How much is an ESTA?
| Period | Official ESTA fee | Approx. in GBP* |
|---|---|---|
| Before 30 September 2025 | $21 | – |
| 30 September – 31 December 2025 | $40 | – |
| 1 January – 15 October 2026 | $40.27 | about £30.40 |
| From 16 October 2026 | $40.62 | about £30.70 |
*Based on an exchange rate of about $1.32 to the pound in early October 2026. The amount on your statement depends on the rate your card provider uses.
If your ESTA is refused, you’re still charged the system operating part of the fee: about $10.27 (about £7.80), or $10.62 from 16 October 2026.
Example: a family of four applying after 16 October 2026 pays $162.48, or about £123.
Watch out for card fees
You’re charged in US dollars, so many UK debit and credit cards add a foreign transaction fee of about 2.75–2.99%. A travel card with no foreign transaction fees keeps the cost to the actual ESTA fee.
The ESTA price increase explained
The ESTA price increase comes from a US law passed in July 2025, known as HR-1 or the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”. It nearly doubled the fee from $21 to $40 on 30 September 2025, and the fee now rises with US inflation each year:
- 1 January 2026: $40 → $40.27 (first inflation adjustment)
- 16 October 2026: $40.27 → $40.62 (second inflation adjustment)
An ESTA approved at an older price stays valid until it expires. You don’t pay again because the fee changes.
Avoid unofficial ESTA websites
Search for “ESTA application UK” and you’ll find many sites designed to look official. These private companies typically charge £60–£100 or more for an ESTA you can get yourself for about £30. Some are outright scams that take your money and personal data.
How to spot a fake ESTA website:
- The address doesn’t end in .gov. The only official website is esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
- The price is well above the official fee.
- It offers “fast track”, “priority” or “express” processing. There is no paid fast track for ESTA.
- It calls itself an “agency”, “service” or “processing centre”, or uses US flag imagery on a .com, .org or .co.uk address.
- An app claiming to be official isn’t published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Already paid a third-party site? Your ESTA may still be genuine. Check its status for free on the official website. If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank or card provider and report it to Action Fraud.
How Long Does ESTA Approval Take?
Most ESTA applications are approved within minutes. Some take up to 72 hours.
When should you apply?
CBP advises applying as soon as you start planning your trip, and at least 72 hours before departure. The best time is before you book flights. If your ESTA is refused, you’ll then have time to apply for a visa, which can take weeks.
What does “Authorization Pending” mean?
“Authorization Pending” means the system couldn’t make an automatic decision and a CBP officer is reviewing your application. It’s common and doesn’t mean you’ll be refused.
- Check your status again within 72 hours.
- Don’t submit a second application, as this can cause further delays.
- You can’t travel while your ESTA is pending.
Common reasons for delays
- Your name matches someone on a watchlist (common with frequent names)
- You answered “Yes” to an eligibility question
- A previous visa refusal or immigration issue
- Errors or inconsistencies in your answers
- Travel to a restricted country
- A problem with your selfie or passport image
How Long Does an ESTA Last?
An ESTA lasts two years from the date it’s approved, or until your passport expires if that’s sooner.
| Approved | Passport expires | ESTA valid until |
|---|---|---|
| 1 March 2026 | June 2031 | 1 March 2028 |
| 1 March 2026 | 1 December 2026 | 1 December 2026 |
Multiple trips and the 90-day rule
You can make as many trips as you like while your ESTA is valid, but:
- each visit is limited to 90 days, and you can’t extend it
- time spent in Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean islands after entering the USA usually counts towards your 90 days, so a quick border crossing doesn’t reset the clock
- overstaying, even by a day, makes you ineligible for future ESTAs
- very frequent or long visits can lead to questions at the border about whether you’re really a visitor
What if my ESTA expires during my trip?
That’s fine. Your ESTA only needs to be valid on the day you enter the USA. You’ll need a new one for your next trip.
When you need a new ESTA
Apply again if:
- you get a new passport (renewed, replaced, lost or stolen)
- you change your name
- you change your sex
- your citizenship changes
- your answer to any eligibility question changes, for example after an arrest or a trip to a restricted country
- your ESTA expires
How to Check Your ESTA Status
- Go to esta.cbp.dhs.gov or open the ESTA Mobile app.
- Choose “Check ESTA Status”, then individual or group.
- Enter your application number, passport number and date of birth. If you’ve lost your application number, you can search using your passport number, date of birth and passport issuing country.
- Your status and expiry date are shown on screen.
Checking your status on the official site is free.
What your ESTA status means
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Authorization Approved | You’re authorised to travel under the Visa Waiver Program | Note the expiry date |
| Authorization Pending | Under manual review | Check again within 72 hours; don’t travel yet |
| Travel Not Authorized | Your ESTA has been refused | Apply for a US visa |
| Unpaid or incomplete | The application hasn’t been completed or paid | Finish and pay, or it won’t be processed |
| Expired | No longer valid | Apply for a new ESTA |
What if your ESTA is refused?
- There’s no appeal. Reapplying with the same answers usually gives the same result.
- Never change your answers to get approved. This is treated as fraud.
- Apply for a B1/B2 visa at the US Embassy in London or the Consulate General in Belfast.
- If you think the refusal is a mistake or a case of mistaken identity, you can submit an inquiry to the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP).
Mistakes, Updates and ESTA Renewal
What you can update on an approved ESTA
Through “Check ESTA Status”, you can update only:
- your email address
- your address while in the USA
Mistakes that need a new application
You’ll need to submit a new application and pay the fee again if any of these are wrong or change:
- your name
- passport number or other passport details
- date of birth or other personal details
- your answers to the eligibility questions
ESTA renewal
An ESTA can’t be extended or renewed. When it expires, or you get a new passport, you submit a new application and pay the current fee.
ESTAs without a selfie: the FCDO warns that if your ESTA doesn’t include the selfie photograph CBP now requires, you may need to apply for a new ESTA. If yours was approved before selfies were introduced, check its status before you travel. If in doubt, reapply so you don’t have problems at check-in.
ESTA vs US Visa: Which Do You Need?
| ESTA | US visitor visa (B1/B2) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Eligible Visa Waiver Program citizens | Anyone not eligible for ESTA, or needing longer stays |
| How to apply | Online or via the app | DS-160 form + interview in London or Belfast |
| Cost | $40.27 ($40.62 from 16 Oct 2026) | $185 (a $250 integrity fee is pending) |
| Processing time | Minutes, up to 72 hours | Usually weeks, depending on interview slots |
| Validity | 2 years or until passport expiry | Usually up to 10 years for UK citizens |
| Stay per visit | Up to 90 days | Usually up to 6 months, as decided at the border |
| Extend stay in the USA? | No | Possibly, via USCIS |
| Interview | No | Usually yes |
In short: if you’re eligible, an ESTA is quicker, cheaper and easier. If you have a relevant criminal or immigration history, have visited a restricted country, or need more than 90 days, apply for a visa.
Arriving in the USA: What Happens at the Border
An approved ESTA gets you on the plane. At the airport in the USA:
- Passport control: a CBP officer checks your passport, may take your fingerprints and photo, and may ask about your trip, accommodation, return flight and ties to the UK. Have your return ticket and accommodation details ready.
- Electronic devices may be inspected, including phones and laptops.
- Your I-94 record: your arrival record is created electronically. You can view it on the official I-94 website (i94.cbp.dhs.gov) to confirm the date by which you must leave.
- Admission isn’t automatic. The officer can refuse entry even with an approved ESTA.
Travelling on to Canada or US territories?
- Canada: British citizens flying to Canada need Canada’s own eTA, which is separate from ESTA.
- Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands: your ESTA covers these.
- Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands: you can visit under a separate Guam–CNMI visa waiver scheme or with an ESTA. Check the rules before booking.
Don’t confuse ESTA with the UK ETA
The UK has its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visitors coming into the UK, including Americans. British citizens don’t need a UK ETA. For travel to America, you need an ESTA.
New ESTA Rules Coming in 2026–27
ESTA is changing, and the following proposals could affect your next application:
- Mandatory social media history: CBP has proposed requiring applicants to list social media accounts used in the past five years. It wasn’t in force at the time of writing.
- App-only applications: CBP plans to move all new applications to the ESTA Mobile app and keep the website for status checks and information.
- Annual fee rises: the fee now rises with US inflation each year.
We’ll update this guide as these changes take effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for the USA?
Not usually. British citizens visiting for tourism, business or transit for up to 90 days need an approved ESTA rather than a visa. A visa is needed for longer stays, work, study, or if you’re ineligible for ESTA.
How much is an ESTA from the UK?
The official fee is $40.27 (about £30), rising to $40.62 on 16 October 2026. If you’re refused, about $10 is still charged. Sites charging more are private companies.
How long does it take to get an ESTA?
Usually a few minutes, but up to 72 hours. Apply as soon as you start planning, ideally before booking flights.
How long does an ESTA last?
Two years from approval, or until your passport expires if sooner. You can make multiple trips of up to 90 days each.
Is ESTA a visa?
No. It’s an electronic travel authorisation under the Visa Waiver Program. A visa is issued by a US embassy or consulate after a separate application.
Do I need to print my ESTA?
No. It’s linked electronically to your passport and checked by your airline. It’s still sensible to keep a copy of your approval and application number.
Do I need an ESTA to transit through the USA?
Yes. US airports have no international transit areas, so you pass through US immigration even when changing planes. Select “in transit” on your application.
How long can I stay in America with an ESTA?
Up to 90 days per visit, with no extensions. Time spent in Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean islands after entering the USA usually counts towards the 90 days.
Can I travel to the USA with a criminal record?
Sometimes. Minor motoring offences usually don’t matter. Drug offences (including cautions) and crimes involving dishonesty or violence usually mean you need a visa. Spent convictions still count. See the criminal records section above.
How do I check if my ESTA is still valid?
Use “Check ESTA Status” on esta.cbp.dhs.gov or the ESTA Mobile app. Enter your passport details, and the status and expiry date are shown free of charge.
Do babies and children need an ESTA?
Yes. Every traveller needs their own ESTA, whatever their age. A parent or guardian can apply for them.
I’ve got a new passport. Is my old ESTA still valid?
No. An ESTA is linked to one passport. Apply for a new ESTA with your new passport details.
Can I get an ESTA if I’ve been to Cuba?
Not if you visited on or after 12 January 2021. You’ll need to apply for a US visa instead.
I already have a valid US visa. Do I need an ESTA?
No. Travel on your visa instead.