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United States of America Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | Yes | Yes | No |
| Canadian | Yes | No | No |
| EU | Yes | Yes | See below |
| British | Yes | Yes | No |
| USA | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Passports
To enter the United States, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay for some nationalities. For others, the U.S. requires that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date.
Visas
Nationals of the following 43 countries can travel to the United States for tourism or business without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):
Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
Asia: Israel, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan.
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
South America: Chile.
Middle East: Qatar.
Types and Cost
Tourist, business, transit and student visas: US$185.
For ESTA, it costs US $40 if you apply directly on the ESTA website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov).
Validity
An ESTA is valid for two years from the date of authorisation, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
The validity of a U.S. visa depends on its type, as different visas come with different durations and conditions.
If you have a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport, you can still use it for travel to the United States as long as the visa is unexpired, undamaged, and matches your intended purpose of travel. Both your expired and new passports must be from the same country. When travelling, you should carry both passports (the expired one containing the valid visa and your new, valid passport). Do not remove the visa from the expired passport, as doing so will render it invalid.
Transit
Travellers eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) do not need a transit visa (C visa) but must obtain ESTA approval before their trip. When completing the ESTA application, they should select "In Transit" as their purpose of travel and specify their final destination outside the United States.
For travellers not eligible for the VWP, a C visa (Transit Visa) is required and must be obtained from a U.S. embassy or consulate before travel. This applies to those whose nationality is not part of the Visa Waiver Program or who do not qualify for ESTA.
If a traveller intends to leave the airport or has a long layover, a B-1/B-2 visa (Visitor Visa) may be required instead of a C visa, depending on their circumstances. As visa rules can vary, it is always advisable to check with a U.S. embassy or consulate before making travel arrangements.
Application to
For ESTA, you can apply directly on the ESTA website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov).
For other types of visas, visit or contact an embassy or consulate near you.
Temporary residence
In most cases, applications for temporary residence in the U.S. must be submitted from the applicant's home country at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Some visa types may require an interview, and certain extensions or status changes can be processed within the U.S.
Working days
If you're an ESTA applicant, you will get an answer within 72 hours.
For other visa types, the length of time it takes to process your visa varies widely. At the U.S. Embassy in the UK, you are advised to allow 3-5 working days from the date of the visa interview for your application to be processed. In some cases, the application process can take up to six months or even longer.
Sufficient Funds
The U.S. consulate may require proof of sufficient funds to support your visa application. For more information, check the U.S. Embassy website (usembassy.gov).
Extension of stay
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries cannot apply to extend their stay beyond the 90-day limit. Travellers on other visa types may request an extension by filing Form I-539 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before their authorised stay expires. Approval is subject to eligibility and supporting documentation.
Entry with pets
Travellers bringing pets into the United States must comply with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulations. The requirements vary depending on the type of animal:
• Dogs: Must meet vaccination and health certificate requirements. Dogs arriving from countries classified as high risk for rabies must have additional documentation and may be subject to quarantine.
• Cats: Generally do not require a rabies vaccination certificate but must be in good health upon arrival.
• Birds: Require a special import permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and may be subject to quarantine.
• Other Animals: Requirements vary by species. Some exotic pets (e.g., turtles, rodents, and certain reptiles) may have restrictions.
It is strongly recommended to check with the airline, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and CDC well in advance of travel. For the most up-to-date requirements, visit www.cdc.gov and www.aphis.usda.gov.
This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.
Embassies and tourist offices
Telephone: (020) 7499 9000 or 0904 245 0100.
Website: http://www.usembassy.org.uk
Address: , 24 Grosvenor Square, , W1A 1AE,
Opening times:
