American Visa For British Citizens

Every year, thousands of British citizens travel to the United States for sightseeing and business purposes.   The country is seen as a great destination and people often travel back and forth on a frequent basis.   While many people would be interested in staying in the country, very few people know how to obtain an American Visa.   The good news is that it isn’t difficult when you know what steps to take. As with most things in life, there are some rules and regulations that must be met before going into the process. Let’s look at some of these key factors first.

The A-1 visa is an excellent option for the British business man or woman wishing to relocate permanently to the United States. It is a non-immigrant visa issued outside of the US and allows an individual to be accompanied by their spouse and children under the age of 21. The great benefit of this visa is that it can be easily converted to a green card allowing permanent residency, and if you are still employed for 5 years then your children will no longer need visas if they accompany you on business trips back to the UK .  

As relations between the UK and the US become more strained and anti-American sentiment spreads across various levels of British society, it may seem unthinkable for a US visa to be issued to a British citizen. However, a visa loophole exists which will allow a Brit with an American ex-partner to obtain an American visa if certain steps are taken – even though the ex-partner is no longer in the picture.

What Is a US ESTA for UK Citizens?

The US ESTA for British citizens is an online visa waiver that permits holders to travel to the United States without having to apply for a visa.

The ESTA was introduced in 2009 by the US Visa Waiver Program. Citizens of eligible countries, such as the United Kingdom, must complete the ESTA application form ahead of their leisure or business trip to the United States.

It is valid for entry by air, land or sea and must be held by British passport holders arriving in the US at any border crossing.

British nationals can use the ESTA to visit the United States of America multiple times during the waiver’s 2 years of validity, or until the associated passport expires.

Upon entering the United States with an ESTA, visitors from the UK can stay for a maximum of 90 days per visit.

Is an ESTA Obligatory for British Nationals?

British nationals are required to must have an ESTA travel authorization in order to enter the United States without a visa for tourism, business, or transit.

Citizens of the United Kingdom who wish to travel to the USA for other reasons, such as to work or study, must contact a United States embassy or consulate in their country of residence.

For citizens of the United Kingdom who are moving to the United States or seeking permission to work legally in the country, an ESTA travel authorization is not obligatory. Instead, individuals in these situations must apply for a residence visa and/or work visa, in accordance with US visa policy.

Additionally, if a British traveler wishes to stay in the US for longer than 90 days, they are required to obtain a US visa instead of the ESTA.

How Can I Apply for the US ESTA from the United Kingdom?

British travelers must complete the quick ESTA online application form. It takes just a few minutes to fill in the form with personal and passport information.

Applicants must enter the following data:

• Basic personal information
• Passport details
• Email address

British applicants must also answer a few straightforward questions related to security and health matters. This allows the US Department of Homeland Security to pre-screen travelers before they enter the United States.

Before submitting the form, it is necessary to make sure that all the information entered is correct and accurate. Even small errors can lead to delays in processing or even a rejection of the ESTA application.