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United States visa for British passport holders

Entry requirements for a typical one-week tourist stay. Plan your trip with your exact dates for a personalised result.

Checklist for a tourist trip

• ESTA authorisation required

  mandatory stepDoneVerified on Oct 28, 2026

  Apply for ESTA on the official US government website before departure (at least 72 hours ahead is recommended). An e-passport is required.

  Details

  Apply for ESTA on the official US government website before departure (at least 72 hours ahead is recommended). An e-passport is required.

  Apply for ESTA on the official website· esta.cbp.dhs.gov(opens in a new tab)

  The official website is esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Intermediary sites imitate official ones and add fees: if the address is not exactly this one, do not enter any information.

  Step by step

  1. Open the official ESTA website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
  2. Enter your biographic information and answer the Visa Waiver Program eligibility questions.
  3. Apply as soon as you start planning the trip, ideally before buying your ticket: it can be submitted at any time before departure.

  Expected cost:$41 · ESTAEstimate

  Adjusted every year; the official site shows the exact amount at payment.

  Indicative amount, not confirmed by an official source as of this date: check the exact fee on the official website before paying.

  Official fee not confirmed: check with the embassy or consulate of the country before paying.

  Why this result?

  This requirement is based on the rule “ESTA authorisation required”. Verified on Oct 28, 2026

  3 sources

  • États-Unis (Customs and Border Protection)(opens in a new tab) · checked on Oct 25, 2026
  • États-Unis (Department of State)(opens in a new tab) · checked on Oct 25, 2026
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)(opens in a new tab) · checked on Oct 28, 2026

  * TripWise adds no service fee: you only pay the official fees, to the authority.

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• When ESTA is not possible

  to prepareDoneVerified on Oct 27, 2026

  A stay in Cuba (since 2021), Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen (since 2011), or certain dual nationalities, make ESTA impossible. A visa is then required.

  Details

  A stay in Cuba (since 2021), Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen (since 2011), or certain dual nationalities, make ESTA impossible. A visa is then required.

  Why this result?

  This requirement is based on the rule “When ESTA is not possible”. Verified on Oct 27, 2026

  1 source

  • États-Unis (Department of State)(opens in a new tab) · checked on Oct 25, 2026

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• Passport valid for the whole stay

  to prepareDoneVerified on Oct 28, 2026

  Travel with a passport valid for your entire stay.

  Details

  Travel with a passport valid for your entire stay.

  Why this result?

  This requirement is based on the rule “Passport valid for the whole stay”. Verified on Oct 28, 2026

  1 source

  • États-Unis (Department of State)(opens in a new tab) · checked on Oct 25, 2026

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• International driving permit (1949 type) to drive in the United States

  to prepareDoneVerified on Oct 28, 2026

  The UK government states that a 1949-type international driving permit is needed to drive in the United States with a UK licence, to be obtained before you leave. Also check with the state authority and the car hire company: it may be requested with your national licence, and by your insurer after an accident. Not needed if you do not drive. Source: GOV.UK, for UK licence holders. According to Gouvernement du Royaume-Uni (GOV.UK): "You should check if the individual state authority says you need an IDP . If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP . You may need both your driving licence and an IDP to hire a car in the US. If you have a paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident."

  Details

  Driving permit

  The UK government states that a 1949-type international driving permit is needed to drive in the United States with a UK licence, to be obtained before you leave. Also check with the state authority and the car hire company: it may be requested with your national licence, and by your insurer after an accident. Not needed if you do not drive. Source: GOV.UK, for UK licence holders. According to Gouvernement du Royaume-Uni (GOV.UK): "You should check if the individual state authority says you need an IDP . If you’re hiring a car, you should check if the car hire company says you need an IDP . You may need both your driving licence and an IDP to hire a car in the US. If you have a paper UK driving licence, you must take another form of photographic ID, such as your passport. You may need to show an IDP to your insurance company if you’re involved in an accident."

  Why this result?

  This requirement is based on the rule “International driving permit (1949 type) to drive in the United States”. Verified on Oct 28, 2026

  1 source

  • Gouvernement du Royaume-Uni (GOV.UK)(opens in a new tab) · checked on Oct 28, 2026

  Report an error

• Declare more than $10,000 in cash or monetary instruments on arrival

  to prepareDoneVerified on Oct 28, 2026

  When you enter the United States, federal law requires you to report to customs (CBP) any amount over $10,000 in cash or monetary instruments. Carrying it is not forbidden: failing to declare it is what is penalised. If you carry no such sum, there is nothing to do.

  Details

  When you enter the United States, federal law requires you to report to customs (CBP) any amount over $10,000 in cash or monetary instruments. Carrying it is not forbidden: failing to declare it is what is penalised. If you carry no such sum, there is nothing to do.

  Why this result?

  This requirement is based on the rule “Declare more than $10,000 in cash or monetary instruments on arrival”. Verified on Oct 28, 2026

  1 source

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)(opens in a new tab) · checked on Oct 28, 2026

  Report an error

Guidance based on the cited official sources; only the competent authorities are authoritative.