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How do I apply for a nonimmigrant visa?
How do I get a visa to the United States?
Do I need a visa if I don't know my country?
Do I need a passport to enter the US?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries* to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, when they meet all requirements.
- Where to Apply
If you are in the United Kingdom, you may schedule an...
- Required Documents
One 5 x 5 cm (2” by 2”) color photograph taken within the...
- Nonimmigrant Visa FAQS
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of...
- Processing Times & Return of Passport
If a visa application is approved during a visa interview,...
- Overview
A B-2 visa is also appropriate if the program is...
- Visa Waiver Program (Vwp)
Travelers seeking to enter the United States for business or...
- Ineligibilities & Waivers Including Arrests, Cautions & Convictions
If you are found qualified, the visa will be issued after...
- U.S. Embassy London
American citizen services (Passports, SCS, Federal Benefits,...
- Where to Apply
- Passport Validity Requirements
- Visa Requirements
- Vaccine Requirements
- Customs Rules
- Global Entry Programme
To enter the US, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay. If you’re travelling through another country on your way to or from the US, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries will only allow entry if you have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport.
To enter or transit through the US, you must have either an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver or a visa. The US State Department has more information on visas.
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s US guide.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the US. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
The US Customs and Border Protection programme Global Entry allows pre-approved travellers through border control faster at some US airports. If you’re a British citizen, you can register to get a UK background check. If you pass the background checks, you’ll be invited to apply for Global Entry.
In general, a citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States temporarily must first obtain a U.S. nonimmigrant visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport. For information regarding the new VWP/ESTA eligibility requirements, click here.
- I have an emergency, how can I schedule an appointment? Please note, appointment availability is extremely limited and we cannot guarantee that an expedited appointment will be available for you.
- My passport containing a valid U.S. visa has been lost or stolen. What should I do? If your passport containing a valid visa has been lost or stolen, click here to find out how to report the loss or theft to the Embassy before you apply for a new visa (unless you qualify to travel under the terms of the Visa Waiver Program and obtain an approved ESTA).
- Is the U.S. visa in my expired/replaced/renewed passport still valid? Is my visa still valid if my name has changed? Please click here to find out more.
- Is my damaged visa still valid? If your passport has been damaged by liquid, or if the text or photo on the visa or the biographical data page of your passport has been damaged, you should apply for a new visa (unless you qualify to travel under the terms of the Visa Waiver Program and obtain an approved ESTA).
If you visit the U.S. for tourism or business, you may need a visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa. Learn how to get and renew this type of nonimmigrant visa.
- Check to see if your country participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If it does, you can get a waiver and will not need a visa. If you...
- The visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa, is a type of nonimmigrant visa for people who wish to temporarily enter the U.S. There are two cate...
- You must renew your visitor visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Only diplomatic visa holders and their dependents can renew their visas wit...
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to travel to the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence.
If you are entering the US for non-business or tourism purposes, then you will need to apply for a visa to USA even if you are a citizen of a VWP country. The US immigration authorities have established a number of visas depending on the reason behind one’s purpose to enter the country.
