🇺🇸 United States visa requirements for British citizens
British citizens need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for United States — a quick online approval, not a full visa.
Entry rules for United Kingdom passport holders
United States requires British visitors to register online for an electronic travel authorization before departure. An eTA is lighter than a visa — approval is usually issued within minutes to hours — but airlines will deny boarding without it, so complete it before heading to the airport.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official United States immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
How this compares
The British passport ranks #20 worldwide, opening 162 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (118 visa-free, 36 with a visa on arrival and 8 with an eTA). United States is one of them.
The arrangement is reciprocal: American citizens traveling to United Kingdom face the same requirement (eta required).
North America is fully open to British travelers — all 3 destinations in the region can be entered without arranging a visa first.
About United States
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Region
- North America
- Currency
- United States dollar ($)
- Languages
- English
Planning a trip to United States?
- Compare flights →
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- City attraction passes →
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Frequently asked questions
Do British citizens need a visa for United States?
British citizens need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for United States — a quick online approval, not a full visa.
Can British citizens apply online for entry to United States?
Yes. United States offers an online electronic travel authorization (eTA) for United Kingdom passport holders. Apply through the official government portal before your trip.
What currency is used in United States?
The currency in United States is the United States dollar ($). The capital city is Washington, D.C..
Is this information up to date?
Current status: eTA required for British citizens traveling to United States. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the United States embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Americas for British passport holders
Going the other way? United Kingdom visa requirements for American citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.