United States: visa, passport and entry requirements
Passport · Passport validity: for the length of your planned stay
Entry document
- ✓Passport
- ✕National ID card
Passport validity
for the length of your planned stay
Must be valid for the length of your planned stay. For specific categories or returning residents, other documents may apply. Dual nationals must use a US passport to enter/exit the US.
Visa
Electronic travel authorisation required
Either an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) or a visa is required. ESTA is for eligible travellers under the Visa Waiver Program. Individuals not eligible for ESTA must apply for a US visa. Information on applying for an ESTA or visa can be found on the official ESTA Application Website or from the US Embassy in London. Specific conditions apply for individuals who have been arrested, have a criminal record, or have previously overstayed, or travelled to certain countries. Expedited interviews for visa appointments may be requested for urgent travel. Information on bringing medicines into the US is available from the US Food and Drug Administration. TravelHealthPro explains best practice when travelling with medicines. — Varies depending on visa type or ESTA authorization. Immigration status and terms of entry must be adhered to. Overstaying can lead to detention and future bans on re-entry. — Varies depending on visa type. ESTA application has a fee.
Your whole journey
Stopovers aren’t in our pages yet: the Sherpa link checks them for your nationality.
Passport, visa and stopovers: check on Sherpa ↗Free tool, pre-filled for a British passport: change the nationality if needed.
Recommended vaccinations
Recommended vaccinations
Check the latest vaccine recommendations for the US (or the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands)