Visa checks · updated 2026-08-17

United States visa for British citizens

eTA (travel authorization)
🇬🇧 British passport → 🇺🇸 United States: no visa, but an eta (online authorisation) is required.

How it works

Register online before you fly (minutes, small fee). It links to your passport electronically — airlines check it at check-in, so don't leave it to the airport.

Heads-up: United States commonly asks for proof of onward travel (airline check-in (Visa Waiver / ESTA)).

Before the airport: run the "Will I board?" checklist for this route →

Beyond United States: the United Kingdom passport

The 🇬🇧 United Kingdom passport ranks #20 of 199 worldwide, entering 162 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (see the world ranking).

Also visa-free on the United Kingdom passport: 🇲🇽 Mexico (180 days), 🇧🇷 Brazil (90 days), 🇧🇸 Bahamas (240 days) — all 162 open destinations.

Going the other way? American citizens visiting the United Kingdom need no visa, but an eTA (online authorisation) is required.

Never get caught out

Visa rules change with little notice. Get one email when United States changes its entry rules for British passports.

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Capital Washington D.C. · Currency United States dollar ($) · Dialling +1

Before you travel

Sorting your United States trip on the United Kingdom passport:

See the whole picture

Every destination for the United Kingdom passport, and everyone who can enter United States.

British passport: all destinations Who can enter United States Plan the trip