US ESTA for UK citizens

Yes, all British passport holders must get an ESTA to travel to the USA for tourism, business, or transit purposes. It allows you to travel visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of specific countries, including the UK, to travel to the USA for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa, provided they have an approved travel authorisation.

No, an ESTA is not a visa. It’s an authorisation to travel to the USA under the VWP. If you need to stay for longer than 90 days, or want to work, study, or live in the United States, you must apply for a visa.

Yes, all UK nationals, regardless of age, need an individual travel authorisation to travel to the USA. You can apply on your child’s behalf through our site.

UK citizens with a criminal record can apply for a US travel authorisation. You’ll be asked to declare your criminal history when answering a series of eligibility questions. Depending on the nature of your offence, you may need to apply for a visa instead.

We charge an additional fee for services not offered by the ESTA application official site. OnTrailVisa’s application fees start at £93.

Apply with us to benefit from our simplified application form and error-checking service.

You’re recommended to apply for your travel authorisation at least 72 hours before you fly. UK citizens using OnTrailVisa’s application service can submit their details in advance — we’ll process your form at the right time for your travel dates.

To complete the US travel authorisation application, you’ll need your UK passport details, contact information and travel itinerary. You must also answer a series of eligibility questions.

If you notice a mistake on your application, contact us as soon as possible. If your form has not yet been processed, we’ll help you make the necessary amendments.

We’re confident that your travel authorisation will be approved when you apply through our site. If your application is denied, you can request a refund of your fees. You’ll need to apply for an embassy visa to travel to the US.

Your travel permit is valid for 2 years or until the expiration of your passport, whichever comes first. If your passport is due to expire soon, you should renew it before applying for your ESTA.

Yes, you can make multiple trips to the USA with your travel authorisation within the two-year validity period. You can stay for up to 90 days at a time.

To check your ESTA status, look at the original confirmation of your travel authorisation. You’ll find the expiry date, and all the details you used to apply.

Border officials will not ask to see a printed copy of your visa-waiver when you arrive in the United States. It’ll be visible when your passport is scanned, as it’s linked electronically. You’re advised to print and keep a copy for your records.

If your travel permit expires while you’re in the USA, your departure will not be affected. However, you’ll need to apply for a new ESTA for future travel.