Quick facts
Visa needed?
No
Visa Waiver Program member
ESTA needed?
Yes — mandatory
Before boarding any US flight
ESTA cost
~$21–40
Fee changed recently — verify on official site
ESTA validity
2 years
Or until passport expires
Max stay
90 days
Per visit — strictly enforced
Passport type
Biometric
e-passport with chip required
Your pre-departure checklist
Essential — Before booking
✓
Biometric British Citizen passport
Must be an e-passport with the chip symbol on the cover (all UK passports issued after 2006). Must be valid for your entire stay — the US doesn't require 6 months' extra validity for UK passports.
✓
Apply for your ESTA
Apply ONLY via the official esta.cbp.dhs.gov website or the official ESTA app. Copycat sites charge 3–5x the official fee. Most approvals are instant, but apply at least 72 hours before travel.
✓
ESTA for every traveller — children and babies included
Each passenger needs their own approved ESTA regardless of age.
✓
Confirm approval — payment is not approval
Check your application status shows "Authorization Approved" before travelling. Note your application number.
Before you fly
✓
US point of contact / accommodation address
You'll need the address where you're staying for both the ESTA form and the CBP officer on arrival. "Touring — first hotel" is acceptable if road-tripping.
✓
Travel insurance — genuinely non-negotiable for the US
There is no NHS in America. A simple A&E visit can cost thousands of dollars; a hospital stay can reach six figures. Never fly to the US uninsured.
✓
Proof of return travel & funds
CBP officers can ask for your return ticket and evidence you can support yourself. Have both accessible.
✓
Notify your bank & sort your money
Most UK cards charge ~3% foreign transaction fees. Contactless is accepted almost everywhere in the US. Consider a fee-free travel card.
✓
Driving? Bring your UK licence
Your UK licence is valid for up to 90 days in most states. An International Driving Permit is recommended but rarely required. Remember: they drive on the right.
On arrival
✓
CBP interview — answer honestly and simply
You'll be asked the purpose of your visit, where you're staying, and how long. Fingerprints and photo are standard for all UK travellers. Keep answers short and truthful.
✓
Track your 90 days
Your permitted stay is stamped/recorded by CBP — check your I-94 record online if unsure. Do not rely on memory.
How to apply for your ESTA — step by step
01
Go to the official ESTA website or app
Only use esta.cbp.dhs.gov or the official "ESTA Mobile" app (iOS/Android). You can apply for one person or a group in a single application.
02
Complete the form with your passport in hand
Personal details, passport details, US contact address, emergency contact, plus ~20 yes/no eligibility questions covering criminal history and prior US immigration record. Answer honestly — false answers can lead to permanent bans.
03
Pay the fee by card
The fee has changed recently under new US legislation — check the current amount on the official site before paying. If any site asks for significantly more, it's a copycat.
04
Save your application number & confirm approval
Most decisions are instant, but allow 72 hours. Nothing to print — approval links digitally to your passport and transmits to your airline automatically.
Mistakes that catch Brits out
The 90-day rule has no mercy. Overstay by one day and you lose Visa Waiver privileges permanently. All future trips would require an embassy-issued visa.
New passport = new ESTA. Renewed your passport since your last trip? Your old ESTA is dead — apply again with the new passport number.
Copycat websites everywhere. Unofficial sites appear above the real one in search results and charge 3–5x the fee. Only use esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
Dual nationality restrictions. UK citizens who are also nationals of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan or Syria — or who have visited certain countries since 2011 — cannot use ESTA and must apply for a full US visa.
ESTA is not for work or study. A one-week cooking class is fine; a formal academic course or any paid work is not. Misuse leads to denial of entry and future visa problems.
Cruises count too. Arriving by cruise ship? You still need an approved ESTA — the cruise line verifies before boarding.
Smart traveller essentials
Travel insurance — the single most important thing for the US
American healthcare is the most expensive in the world. Comprehensive cover including medical repatriation is essential, not optional.
Compare US travel insurance →
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Dodge the 3% card fees
A multi-currency card gives you real exchange rates in dollars — standard UK bank cards quietly add ~3% to every single purchase.
Get a Wise card →
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US data without the roaming bill
UK roaming in the US can cost £5–8/day. An eSIM installed before you fly gives you data the moment you land.
Browse US eSIMs →
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Official sources
This checklist is compiled from
- → US Customs & Border Protection — Official ESTA portal
- → GOV.UK — USA travel advice for British citizens
- → U.S. Embassy London — Visa Waiver Program guidance
- → CBP — Check your I-94 arrival record
✓ Last verified: July 2026 · The ESTA fee changed recently — always confirm the current fee on the official site