United Kingdom passport → United States

United States visa for British citizens

ETA

ETA · 90 days

British citizens don't need a visa for the United States, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) online before the trip. Stays of up to 90 days are allowed. Visitors either get an ESTA online before travel (Visa Waiver Program, up to 90 days) or a B1/B2 visa at a US consulate after an interview. The officer at the port of entry decides on admission and the length of stay.

Official details are shown in English.

Status
ETA
Max stay
90 days
Last checked
30 October 2026

What it means in practice

90 days is about three months. If you arrive on 1 November 2026, your last legal day is 29 January 2027, because the arrival day is day one. Use the stay calculator for your own dates.

How the United States counts your stay: Your permitted stay is the admit-until date on your electronic I-94 (check i94.cbp.dhs.gov after arrival), not the visa's expiry date. ESTA: up to 90 days, and short trips to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean do not restart the count.

For United Kingdom passports: Visa Waiver Program: ESTA required, up to 90 days.

Before you go

Official details are shown in English.

  • Visa Waiver Program with ESTA — Cost: USD 40.62; Processing: Usually quick; apply at least 72 hours before departure; Validity: 2 years or until the passport expires, multiple entries; Stay: Up to 90 days per visit; no extension and no change of status. Apply on the official site
  • ESTA travel authorization — As soon as you plan the trip; CBP recommends at least 72 hours before departure; USD 40.62 from mid-October 2026 (was USD 40.27); if denied, only the processing part is charged. Required for Visa Waiver Program travellers arriving by air or sea; you need an e-passport. Valid for multiple trips for 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first; a new passport needs a new ESTA. Apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov or the official ESTA Mobile app: third-party sites charge extra. ESTA approval is not a guarantee of entry. Official site
  • I-94 for land border arrivals (optional) — Up to 7 days before crossing from Canada or Mexico by land (optional pre-application); USD 30. Air and sea arrivals get an electronic I-94 automatically. At land crossings visitors pay for the I-94; applying in the CBP One app or on the I-94 website beforehand saves time at the border. After entry, check your admitted-until date on the I-94 website. Official site

At the border

Official details are shown in English.

  • Passport valid for the whole stay; nationals of many countries need it valid 6 months beyond the stay (VWP countries are exempt from the extra 6 months)
  • ESTA travellers: e-passport and a return or onward ticket
  • Fingerprints and a photo are taken at entry; officers may ask about the purpose, address and funds and may inspect phones
  • Declare cash and monetary instruments over USD 10,000 and all food, plant and animal products

How to avoid overstaying

  • Go by your stamp or visa. The date the officer gives you is the one that counts, even if it is shorter than the maximum.
  • Plan to leave a day or two early. With 90 days, book your exit before the last legal day so a cancelled flight doesn't push you over.
  • Extend before you run out. ESTA: no extension. B1/B2: file Form I-539 with USCIS before the I-94 date expires. Overstaying voids the visa and can bar future entry.
  • What overstaying costs. Overstaying voids the visa and can bar future entry.

Good to know

Official details are shown in English.

  • Dual nationals of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan or Syria cannot use ESTA even with a VWP passport and need a visa.

Staying longer

Visa-free days are for visits. For months or years in the United States, these are the long-stay routes in Bordr's guide (checked against official sources):

Official details are shown in English.

Costs, income thresholds and how to apply are in the Bordr guide.

Questions

Do British citizens need a visa for the United States?

British citizens don't need a visa for the United States, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) online before the trip. Stays of up to 90 days are allowed.

How long can British citizens stay in the United States?

Up to 90 days, according to Bordr's data. Your permitted stay is the admit-until date on your electronic I-94 (check i94.cbp.dhs.gov after arrival), not the visa's expiry date. ESTA: up to 90 days, and short trips to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean do not restart the count.

Can I extend my stay in the United States?

ESTA: no extension. B1/B2: file Form I-539 with USCIS before the I-94 date expires. Overstaying voids the visa and can bar future entry.

What do I need at the border in the United States?

Passport valid for the whole stay; nationals of many countries need it valid 6 months beyond the stay (VWP countries are exempt from the extra 6 months); ESTA travellers: e-passport and a return or onward ticket; Fingerprints and a photo are taken at entry; officers may ask about the purpose, address and funds and may inspect phones.

When was this checked?

Bordr last checked the entry rules for the United States against official sources on 30 October 2026. Rules change: confirm with the official source before you travel.

Sources and last check

Entry rules for this destination were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026. Visa-free days come from the passport matrix in the Bordr app, corrected where the official rules differ.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Entry rules change and border officers have the final say. Check the official government source for your destination before you travel.

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