Foreign travel advice

USA

Entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full 바카라 사이트˜British citizen바카라 사이트™ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government바카라 사이트™s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel. 

You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest, detention, or removal if you violate the rules or break the law. Even if you have a visa or visa waiver, the final decision on entry is made at the border by a US border official. If you바카라 사이트™re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the .

The US may change entry conditions at any time without prior notice.

Passport validity requirements

To enter the US, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay.

If you바카라 사이트™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 for more information.

Visa requirements

To enter or transit through the US, you must have either an  or a .

The US State Department has .

Travellers whose sex on their passport differs from their sex recorded at birth should contact  in the UK for further advice.

Applying for an ESTA

ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You can apply for an ESTA via the or using the or .

All Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travellers intending to enter the US by land, sea and air will be required to obtain an approved ESTA prior to application for admission at land border ports of entry. Individuals who are not eligible to travel under the VWP may apply for a visa at any .

You may not be able to 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

Information on whether you are eligible for an ESTA visa waiver can be found in the help section of the .

You cannot normally apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you were in the following countries on or after March 2011: 

  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Libya
  • North Korea
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Yemen

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 .

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 Embassy바카라 사이트™s appointment service provider.

The US Embassy has more .

Children and young people

Anyone aged 17 and under must:

  • have a valid visa or ESTA on arrival
  • be able to provide evidence about the purpose, location and length of their visit if asked by immigration officials
  • have a letter of consent, preferably in English and notarised 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 FCDO cannot speed up the return of British nationals aged 17 and under from the US.

The US government has . If you have questions, contact the .

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see .

Electronic devices

Officials may ask to inspect your electronic devices, emails, text messages, and social media activity. If you refuse, they can delay or deny your entry. US Customs and Border Protection has .

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Global Entry

The US Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveller Program (TTP) allows pre-approved, low-risk travellers expedited clearance at some US airports. If you바카라 사이트™re a British citizen, you can register to get a UK background check. If you pass the background checks, you바카라 사이트™ll be invited to apply for .