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US ESTA for British Citizens

British citizens need an ESTA, not a visa, to visit the USA for up to 90 days. We prepare and submit your application.

From $51.62

$11 Visarun service + $40.62 government fee

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Visa information

US ESTA for British citizens

For tourism, business meetings and transit of up to 90 days without a visa.

e visa

British citizens can visit under the Visa Waiver Program, but they need an approved ESTA first.

ESTA fee

$40.62

Since 16 October 2026. $10.62 if the application is refused.

Stay per visit

Up to 90 days

Tourism, business meetings or transit.

Valid for

2 years

Or until your passport expires, if that is sooner.

Passport

E-passport with chip

Required for every Visa Waiver Program traveller.

When to apply

Before you buy tickets

Airlines check your ESTA status before boarding.

Where to apply

Official ESTA website

Third-party sites are not linked to the US government.

Children

Own ESTA needed

Every traveller needs an approval, babies included.

Not eligible

After Iran or Cuba trips

Also Iraq, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, Libya, Somalia, Yemen.

Start Your US ESTA Application

We prepare, check and submit your ESTA. Have your e-passport and a new selfie ready.

Get started for free

Start with a free eligibility check. You pay after you fill in the application form.

Last checked in October 2026. Sources: Electronic System for Travel Authorization (CBP), Visa Waiver Program and ESTA: frequently asked questions (CBP), ESTA, EVUS and parole fees for fiscal year 2027 (Federal Register)

US ESTA documents for British citizens

E-Passport With a Chip

An e-passport with a chip that shows British citizenship. Other British nationality types, such as BN(O), need a B1/B2 visa.

Passport Photo and Selfie

A photo of your passport data page and a selfie. The selfie must be a new photo, not a copy of your passport photo.

Verified Email Address

The application needs a verified email address. Every traveller, including infants and children, needs their own ESTA.

Travel History Check

No ESTA if you were in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since 1 March 2011, or in Cuba since 12 January 2021.

Return or Onward Ticket

You need a return or onward ticket. Arriving by air or sea, you must travel with a carrier signed up to the Visa Waiver Program.

US ESTA application steps for British citizens

Your journey to the United States in 4 easy steps.

Fill Application

Answer a few questions about you, your trip and your travel history. We turn your answers into your ESTA application.

Passport and Selfie

Upload a photo of your passport data page and a new selfie. We check both before anything is submitted.

Pay Securely

Pay our service fee and the official ESTA fee. We submit your application on the official ESTA website for you.

ESTA by Email

Most answers come in real time, and we email you the result. Your ESTA is linked to your passport, so travel on that passport.

US ESTA cost for British citizens

No hidden fees. Pay only for what you need.

We are not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made solely by the consulate.

Estimates only - not legal advice or a guarantee. Total cost may include third-party fees beyond the government fee and our services.

ESTA Application

$51.62

Government fee

$40.62

Service fee

$11

Decision usually in real time, sometimes up to 72 hours
Application prepared and submitted for you
Passport photo and selfie checked first
Email support until your decision arrives

Apply for US ESTA

What happens after you pay?

Order Confirmation

You get an email with your order details and a link to follow your ESTA application.

Application Check

We check your answers, passport photo and selfie against the ESTA rules and ask you to fix anything that does not match.

Submission to CBP

We submit your application on the official ESTA website, esta.cbp.dhs.gov, and pay the official fee on your behalf.

Decision by Email

We email you the CBP decision. Most answers come in real time; a pending one can take up to 72 hours. Travel only once approved.

In Progress

Application Form✓ Completed

Passport and Selfie✓ Checked

CBP ReviewIn progress

ESTA DecisionAwaiting

Which US ESTA do you need?

ESTA (Visa Waiver Program)

Costs $40.62 and is usually valid for 2 years or until your passport expires. You can use it for trips of up to 90 days for tourism, business meetings or transit.

B-1/B-2 visitor visa

For longer stays or if your ESTA is refused. The application fee is $185, and an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate is usually required.

Transit through the US

ESTA also covers transit. Enter "In Transit" and your final destination as your address in the United States.

Work or study

ESTA covers tourism and business visits only. Paid work or study needs a different visa.

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Individual results may vary. The consulate makes the final decision.

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Approval Chances

Answer a few questions to see how ready you are to apply for your US ESTA.

Passport

British

Destination

United States

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Get a data-driven prediction based on your profile, passport, and travel history.

Individual results may vary. The consulate makes the final decision.

US ESTA FAQ for British passport holders

Do British citizens need a visa for the USA?

No, not for a short visit. British citizens can visit the USA for up to 90 days without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, but they need an approved ESTA before they travel. Only British citizens with the unrestricted right of abode qualify: British Overseas Territories citizens, British Overseas citizens, British Nationals (Overseas), British subjects and British protected persons need a B1/B2 visa. ESTA covers tourism, visiting, business meetings and transit, but not work or study. For a stay longer than 90 days, apply for a B1/B2 visa instead.

How much does an ESTA cost?

The official fee is USD 40.27 per application. USD 10.27 is charged for processing every application and USD 30 is added only if the ESTA is approved, so a denied application costs USD 10.27. From 16 October 2026 the fee rises to USD 40.62, or USD 10.62 if denied. You can also apply yourself on esta.cbp.dhs.gov or in the official ESTA Mobile app. Asking your bank or PayPal for a refund leads to automatic denial. Visarun's service fee is separate and shown before you pay.

How long does it take to get an ESTA?

In most cases CBP answers in real time. If your status shows Authorization Pending, CBP notifies you when a decision is made, and the State Department has said this can take up to 72 hours. CBP recommends applying when you book your trip. Applying through Visarun or any other private service does not speed up the CBP decision. What we add is a checked application that matches your passport, submitted for you.

How long is an ESTA valid?

An approved ESTA is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers multiple trips. Each visit can last up to 90 days, and side trips to Canada, Mexico or nearby islands count towards the 90 days. You cannot extend your stay or change status in the USA. A new passport, a name change, a change of citizenship or a changed answer to an eligibility question means you need a new ESTA.

What do British citizens need to apply for an ESTA?

You need an e-passport with a chip issued by a Visa Waiver Program country, a photo of its data page, a new selfie and a verified email address. You cannot use ESTA if you were in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011, or in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021, with limited exceptions for official or military duty, or if you are also a national of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan or Syria. You then need a B1/B2 visa. ESTA is not a visa, and the CBP officer decides on admission. Under a current CDC order, travellers who are not US citizens and were in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days cannot enter the USA.

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