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Do United Kingdom citizens need a visa for the United States?

Yes, an authorisation — not a visa. British passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA), obtained before travel, for short tourism stays in the United States, per travel.state.gov (checked 2026-07-14). United Kingdom citizens can stay in the United States for up to 90 days. This answer is about short tourist visits.

Yes, an authorisation — not a visa. British passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA), obtained before travel, for short tourism stays in the United States, per travel.state.gov (checked 2026-07-14).

Official source · Checked 14 July 2026

What this answer covers

United Kingdom citizens can stay in the United States for up to 90 days. This answer is about short tourist visits.

It says what the official source states for a British passport on a short visit. Whether a traveller is admitted is decided at the border. The official page states the current conditions.

Conditions and stay length for this answer
  • The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The page's designated-country section lists United Kingdom as a VWP country. In order to travel without a visa on the VWP, the traveler must have valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to boarding a U.S.-bound air or sea carrier and meet all requirements stated on the page. The page requires a passport valid for at least 6 months after planned departure unless exempted by country-specific agreements, and an e-passport for VWP travel. The page states that certain VWP-country travel histories, dual nationalities and other listed categories require a visa before travel. The United Kingdom footnote states that British citizens must have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
  • Stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa under the VWP.

Stay: up to 90 days. The official page states the current conditions for United States. Open the official source (checked 2026-07-14).

This answer covers tourism only. Working or studying in United States is a different question with different rules — it is never answered by a tourism entry rule: work routes for United States · study routes for United States.

Every destination for this passport, and more about United States.

Official source

travel.state.govOfficial entry requirements · Checked 14 July 2026