Do I need an Esta to travel to the US? Everything you need to know
Google 'Esta application' and you'll find there are many copycat sites willing to apply for one on your behalf; make sure you always use the official site (esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta). Here's what you need to know.
Broadly, if you're a Brit travelling to the US for holiday, to see friends and family or for short-term work for fewer than 90 days, then yes. The 42 countries that must apply for an Esta include most of Europe, plus nations including Singapore, New Zealand and South Korea. All children must have an Esta, regardless of their age or whether they're accompanied by their parent or guardian.
The exceptions are if you've travelled to a country on the US' so-called 'red list', which includes Yemen and Syria after 2011, or Cuba after 2021. In this case, you'll need to apply for a proper visa, which will involve a visit to the US embassy in London, or the consulates in Belfast and Edinburgh.
Note that you will need an Esta even if your flight just transits through an American airport — all connecting passengers are required to go through immigration and recheck their bags.
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Yes, even if you don't get off the ship. The cruise company will check all documents are correct before you board, so apply for an Esta in advance of your departure date — do not wait until the date your ship will eventually call at the US.
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Typically applications are approved in a few hours, but the official guidance is to apply at least three days before you're due to depart. Airline staff in the country you're leaving will check for a valid Esta before you're due to board, so make sure it's in place before you fly (or cross the land border).
Two years, or when you get a new passport — whichever is sooner — and you can make as many trips during that time as you like, as long as no one visit lasts for more than 90 days. You can check the expiry date by logging into the official Esta site and clicking 'check individual status'.
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An Esta is $21 (£15) through official channels. However, there are also plenty of unofficial websites that will happily charge an inflated price to apply for one on your behalf; an easy way to tell is to check the price you're quoted.
One of the recommendations of President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' is to raise the price of the Esta to $40 (£30), but it's not yet known when this might come into effect.
The Esta form will ask you for a 'point of contact' in the US. This could either be a friend or family member you're visiting, or the name and number of the hotel/apartment you've booked.
Myriad reasons — but a large number are turned down due to incorrect information being entered, so take extra care when filling in your passport number and personal information. Other reasons could include having a criminal record, previously overstaying a visa or lying on the application about your travel history. If your Esta is rejected, you will likely need to apply for a proper visa.
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