From the UK to the US: Do UK citizens need a US visa or ESTA?

If you are a British citizen planning to visit the United States, you may wonder about the visa requirements. The good news is that UK citizens can travel to the US without needing a traditional visa. Instead, you will need to obtain a US ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) under the American Visa Waiver Program.

What is the US ESTA?

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an electronic system that helps determine eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This program allows travelers to visit the US without obtaining a visa.

Entry type: The ESTA permits multiple entries into the US.
Duration of stay: Travelers can stay in the US for up to 90 days per entry.
Validity: The ESTA remains valid for 2 years after issuance.

For more details, read our complete ESTA guide.

Difficulty rating: 15/100

"People assume that just because they're from a country like the UK, they're safe. But the ESTA system is designed to flag risks quickly," says Christa Byker. "If your answers aren’t perfectly aligned or you’ve overlooked something minor, it can trigger an automatic denial."

The difficulty rating for getting your US ESTA with us is 15 out of 100, hinting that it is a relatively simple process. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Time to complete form: Approximately 8 minutes.
Government response time: Usually within 65 minutes.
Documents required: Only 1 document is needed (your passport page).
A question that may prevent you from applying is, "Have you been denied a US ESTA in the last 6 months?" If yes, we recommend contacting our customer service team for guidance.

Our approval rate for the US ESTA is over 99%, reflecting our commitment to helping UK citizens travel smoothly to the United States.

How to apply for a US ESTA as a UK citizen

To apply for an ESTA, you will need your passport page and may be asked for additional details regarding your travel plans. The form we provide is broken down into three easy steps:

Complete your application form online using our website or mobile app.

“The system is designed to move quickly, not ask follow-up questions,” Christa explains. “If something’s off, even slightly, the automated check might reject you without a chance to clarify.”

Choose the processing option and make payment.
Upload your additional documents (if required).

Once you complete all three steps, just submit your application and wait for it to arrive via email. When you choose our services, your ESTA can be ready in as fast as 2 hours, perfect for anyone in a rush.

Apply now

Cost of a USA ESTA for UK citizens

If you apply for an ESTA with us, the price of your Electronic System for Travel Authorization will depend on the processing time you choose. The ESTA isn’t free, but it’s inexpensive. Check the options below:

Standard Processing: Ready in 24 hours for USD $69.99.
Rush Processing: A quicker option available with a waiting time of just 6 hours for USD $99.99.
Super Rush Processing: Available in 3 hours for USD $129.99.

The ESTA also charges a government fee of USD $21.00, which you pay with the processing fees when you apply on our site.

"Applying for my ESTA was a breeze with iVisa! I had my approval in just a few hours, making my travel plans much easier. The price was worth it for the peace of mind and quick processing," James from London

Is ESTA guaranteed entry into the US?

Even with an approved ESTA, you’re not guaranteed entry into the United States. Border officials make the final call and may refuse entry for several reasons.

“Even if you have an approved ESTA, that doesn't mean you're guaranteed to walk right into the U.S. The officer at the border still has the authority to deny entry if something looks off or doesn’t match what you put on your application,” says Christa. “They’re trained to look for inconsistencies, and if they find one, you could be on the next flight back.”

Common reasons for denial at the U.S. border:

Your answers at the border don’t match what you submitted on your ESTA
You can’t clearly explain the purpose of your trip
You have a past visa overstay or immigration violation
You’ve visited countries flagged by U.S. immigration (e.g., Iran, North Korea)
You’re suspected of planning to work, study, or stay longer than 90 days

Always travel with supporting documents, know your return plans, and stay consistent with what you wrote in your application.

If you have more questions about the US ESTA, who can you contact?

If you need help or have questions about your ESTA application, our customer service team is ready to help. Contact us anytime via WhatsApp or iVisa chat.

You can also read more about the ESTA here: