British Citizen Need Visa For Usa
Visas For Tourists. If you will be travelling to the U.S. for a vacation or on business, there is a series of Visa requirements that you must meet before you can enter the United States. If your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you might be able to travel to the U.S. under that program but there are several important conditions that may prevent you from doing so. If you do not fit into any of these categories, then you need to apply for one of the non-immigrant Visas
If you are a British Citizen and you are looking to visit the United States, you will need to apply for a visa. There is a different process that you need to follow depending on your exact circumstances, thanks to the visa waiver program. This article provides general guidance, but it’s always advisable to get further information from the appropriate United State government agency website. The first, and most important thing that needs to be stated about applying for a visitor’s visa, is that you will have the option of applying for a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa.
Can British citizens apply for an ESTA?
British citizens can apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) visa waiver to travel to the United States. The ESTA allows citizens of Great Britain to visit the U.S. for tourism, business, transit, medical and short study purposes without a visa for up to 90 days per visit. Great Britain was added to the Visa Waiver Programme in 1988. However, security measures, intended to address terrorism threats, have necessitated the pre-screening of travellers prior their arrival to the United States.
What is ESTA?
The ESTA was established in 2009 for the purposes of streamlining the processing of visa waiver applicants and to provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the capability to pre-screen travellers against numerous no-fly, criminal, and terrorist list databases. Thus, since 2009 British citizens have been required to obtain an approved ESTA application to enter the United States. However, in the instance a British citizen is denied or ineligible for ESTA, or wishes to visit the United States for more than 90 days or for other travel purposes than those allowed under ESTA, then the British passport holder would need to apply for the relevant U.S. visa.
What’s the difference between an ESTA and a U.S. visa?
An approved ESTA application does not provide a British citizen the same level of rights as a U.S. visa holder. A U.S. visa applicant will need to file a more comprehensive application form, called the DS-160 and attend an interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy. Furthermore, depending on the type of visa, applicants may need to prepare additional documents to prove the genuineness of their U.S. travel plans and purposes before entering the country.
How can British citizens apply for an ESTA?
British citizens must apply online for ESTA. An ESTA is required prior to boarding the air or sea vessel to the United States, and should be applied for at least 72 hours before departure. A valid, un-expired electronic passport must be used for the ESTA application.
What are the ESTA requirements for British citizens?
The ESTA requirements are that the applicant has an electronic, full British citizen passport with a machine readable section. Furthermore, the purpose of travel to the United States must be for permitted business, tourism or transit visits of under 90 days and the applicant must arrive by air or sea. Applicants can review the detailed ESTA requirements as well as visit the ESTA FAQ for more information before starting on their application.
Are British Nationals eligible for an ESTA?
Travellers with a British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British National (Overseas) Citizen, or British Protected Person passport do not qualify to travel under the Visa Waiver Programme nor the ESTA. Similarly, a passport which grants an individual the “Right of Abode” or “Indefinite Leave to Remain” in the United Kingdom does not qualify the traveller under the Visa Waiver Programme nor the ESTA. Thus, these travellers will need to apply for a U.S. visa.