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Visit the U.S.
Generally, if you want to visit ( and not live in ) the United States you must first obtain a visitor visa . Travelers from certain countries may be exempt from this requirement. For more information, please see the U.S. Department of State website .
If you want to travel to the United States for reasons other than business or pleasure, you must apply for a visa in the appropriate category. This includes if you want to study, work as a crew member or journalist, etc. You can get help determining which visa you need by using the Explore My Options page.
Extending Your Visit
If Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorizes your admission to the United States at the designated port of entry, you will receive a stamped Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure . If you wish to stay beyond the time indicated on the Form I-94, you may apply for an extension by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status , with USCIS.
If You Lose Form I-94
You may apply for a replacement Form I-94 by filing a Form I-102, Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record .
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Visas for U.S. citizens traveling abroad
If you are a U.S. citizen planning to travel abroad, you may need a visa to enter a foreign country. Learn how to find your destination's visa requirements.
While not all countries require visas for American travelers, many do. Look up your destination using the U.S. State Department's Learn About Your Destination search tool . On the country’s information page, you will find entry, exit, and visa requirements. You will also find travel advisories and a link to the country’s embassy.
LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023
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- Passports, travel and living abroad
- Travel abroad
- Foreign travel advice
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the US Embassy or a consulate in the UK .
COVID-19 rules
There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering the US.
Passport validity requirements
To enter the US, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay.
If you’re travelling through another country on your way to or from the US, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries will only allow entry if you have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport.
Dual nationals
US law requires US citizens to enter and exit the US using a US passport. Contact the US Embassy or a consulate in the UK for more information.
Visa requirements
To enter or transit through the US, you must have either an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation ( ESTA ) visa waiver or a visa .
The US State Department has more information on visas .
Applying for an ESTA visa waiver
Apply for an ESTA visa waiver through US Customs and Border Protection. You can also apply using the ESTA Mobile app on android or on iOS .
You cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you have:
- been arrested (even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction)
- a criminal record
- been refused admission into, or have been deported from the US
- previously overstayed under an ESTA visa waiver
You cannot normally apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you were in the following countries on or after March 2011:
- North Korea
You cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you travelled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021.
If you are not eligible for an ESTA , you must instead apply for a US visa.
Applying for a visa
The US Embassy in London has information on how to apply for a visa .
US visa appointments
Visa appointments at the US Embassy in London are limited. Plan your application as far ahead as possible before travel. If you need to travel urgently, you can request an expedited interview through the US Embassy’s appointment service provider.
The US Embassy has more information on visa appointments .
Children and young people
Anyone aged 17 and under must:
- have a valid visa or ESTA visa waiver on arrival
- be able to provide evidence about the purpose, location and length of their visit if asked by immigration officials
- have written consent from one or both parents if travelling alone, with only one parent, or with someone who is not a parent or legal guardian
The US authorities can stop you entering the country if they have safeguarding concerns about a child. If this happens, the US authorities will take the child into their care, and their return from the US could take months. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot speed up the return of British nationals aged 17 and under from the US.
The US government has information about children travelling to the US . If you have questions, contact the US Embassy in the UK .
Vaccine requirements
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s US guide .
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the US . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Global Entry programme
The US Customs and Border Protection programme Global Entry allows pre-approved travellers through border control faster at some US airports. If you’re a British citizen, you can register to get a UK background check . If you pass the background checks, you’ll be invited to apply for Global Entry.
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Update April 12, 2024
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Traveling abroad doesn’t have to be confusing if you know the right things before you go. This section provides information and a link to background and requirements for Americans traveling abroad. Click on the link below to access our alphabetical listing of countries to view specific entry requirements. The link below also includes information on passports, visas, immunizations, medical information, additional fees, and conditions abroad that may affect your safety and security.
Country Specific Information
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Canada to introduce new rules around off-campus work hours for international students
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
News release
International students enrich Canada’s social, cultural and economic fabric. That is why, in recent months, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced reforms to the International Students Program, to ensure system integrity while protecting students from fraud and financial vulnerability.
April 29, 2024—Ottawa— International students enrich Canada’s social, cultural and economic fabric. That is why, in recent months, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced reforms to the International Student Program, to ensure system integrity while protecting students from fraud and financial vulnerability.
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced today that the temporary policy allowing students to work more than 20 hours per week off campus will come to an end on April 30, 2024, and it will not be extended. This fall, we intend to change the number of hours students may work off campus per week to 24 hours.
Students who come to Canada must be here to study. As such, allowing students to work up to 24 hours per week will ensure they focus primarily on their studies, while having the option to work, if necessary.
As we head into the summer session, students who have a scheduled academic break can continue working unlimited hours.
In developing this change, we looked at the needs of students, policies in other countries, as well as research that has shown that academic outcomes suffer the more a student works while studying. It also strikes the appropriate balance so students have the option to work without compromising academic outcomes. More details will be shared in due course.
We also continue to develop the new Recognized Institutions Framework to reward postsecondary institutions that set high standards for selecting, supporting and retaining international students. We will continue to support and protect international students from financial vulnerability and keep protecting the integrity of the International Student Program.
“Working off campus helps international students gain work experience and offset some of their expenses. As international students arrive in Canada, we want them to be prepared for life here and have the support they need to succeed. However, first and foremost, people coming to Canada as students must be here to study, not work. We will continue working to protect the integrity of our student program.” – The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Quick facts
Recent studies conducted in the US and Canada have shown that there is a considerable decline in academic performance for students working more than 28 hours per week, and that working more than 24 hours per week increases the chances that a student will drop out of their program.
Most countries that welcome international students set limits on the number of hours they may work while they study. Australia recently changed its policy to allow a student to work 48 hours every 2 weeks. In the US, students must meet additional criteria before being permitted to work off campus at all.
In December 2023, the Government of Canada raised the cost-of-living threshold that students must meet to be approved for a study permit so they are financially prepared for life in Canada and are not as dependent on working.
International students who begin a college program delivered through a public-private curriculum licensing arrangement on or after May 15, 2024, will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit when they graduate. Those who already started this type of program prior to May 15, 2024, will still be able to access a post-graduation work permit, provided they meet all other criteria .
The new letter of acceptance (LOA) verification process has been a success. Since its launch on December 1, 2023, through April 1, 2024, IRCC has
- received almost 162,000 LOAs for verification
- confirmed nearly 142,000 LOAs as valid directly with designated learning institutions (DLIs)
- identified almost 9,000 LOAs that didn’t match any LOA issued by a DLI or that the DLI had already cancelled before the foreign national applied for a study permit
Associated links
- Statement: Minister Miller issues statement on international student allocations for provinces and territories
- Notice: Update on public-private college partnership programs for international students
- Notice: Additional information about International Student Program reforms
- News release: Canada to stabilize growth and decrease number of new study permits issued
- News release: Revised requirements to better protect international students
- News release: Changes to International Student Program aim to protect students
- Website: Work off campus as an international student
Aissa Diop Director of Communications Minister’s Office Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [email protected]
Media Relations Communications Sector Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 613-952-1650 [email protected]
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Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both ...
The process to renew a visitor visa is the same as getting one for the first time. Follow the process to apply for a visitor visa from the Department of State. Find the contact information for your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and contact them for visa renewal information. LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023.
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler's passport, a travel document issued by the traveler's country of citizenship. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the ...
The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa. How to apply for or renew a U.S. tourist visa If you visit the U.S. for tourism or business, you may need a visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa.
Visit the U.S. Generally, if you want to visit ( and not live in) the United States you must first obtain a visitor visa. Travelers from certain countries may be exempt from this requirement. For more information, please see the U.S. Department of State website. If you want to travel to the United States for reasons other than business or ...
How to apply for or renew a U.S. tourist visa. If you visit the U.S. for tourism or business, you may need a visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa. Learn how to get and renew this type of nonimmigrant visa.
Nonimmigrant visas allow people to visit the United States for short periods and for specific purposes. If you want to move here permanently, please see the information below on immigrant visas. A foreign national traveling to the United States for tourism needs a visitor visa (B-2) unless qualifying for entry under the Visa Waiver Program.
Form DS-160 confirmation page and code. Receipt of paid visa fees. Interview confirmation page. A letter which describes the purpose of your trip. Proof of financial means. Financial or bank statements to prove you have the finances to stay in the US of at least $266 for each day of your planned stay.
US Visa Requirements. Here are the required documents for a US visa: An online nonimmigrant DS-160 application form. You can file the form DS-160 here. Your valid passport. It must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in the United States.
A passport or other travel document: Your passport or travel document must contain multiple pages. U.S. visas are printed into a passport or travel document, not as a separate document or card, which means that one blank page is required for a visa to be printed. In addition, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommend that at least one ...
Note: U.S. citizens do not need a U.S. visa for travel to the United States, but when planning travel abroad a U.S. citizen may need a visa issued by the embassy or consulate of the country they wish to visit. For nonimmigrant visas, you can go directly to the online application for the DS-160 ; or for immigrant visas, directly to the USCIS ...
If you are applying for a visa for the first time, or are applying to renew a visa, you are required to take the same steps. Step One: Complete the online DS-160 and print the confirmation page for each person applying for a visa, regardless of age. Answer the questions to the best of your ability; we cannot assist you in completing the form.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.
The DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, is for temporary travel to the United States, and for K (fiancé (e)) visas. Form DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State website via the Internet. Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal ...
If you are a U.S. citizen planning to travel abroad, you may need a visa to enter a foreign country. Learn how to find your destination's visa requirements. While not all countries require visas for American travelers, many do. Look up your destination using the U.S. State Department's Learn About Your Destination search tool.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States. (Note: U.S. citizens don't need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad ...
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States. (Note: U.S. citizens don't need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad ...
Visa requirements To enter or transit through the US, you must have either an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation ( ESTA ) visa waiver or a visa . The US State Department has more ...
For immigrant visas, which are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live and work permanently in the United States, you can visit the U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services site for the relevant forms. If you are unsure what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Wizard below. Tourism & Visit.
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler's passport. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, which is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) .
Fingerprint/Photo Requirements for Entry to Japan All foreign nationals entering Japan, with the exemption of certain categories listed below, are required to provide fingerprint scans and be photographed at the port of entry. This requirement does not replace any existing visa or passport requirements. Foreign nationals exempt from this new requirement include special permanent residents ...
The REAL ID Act was introduced in 2005 in an effort to tighten the nation's air travel security in the wake of the September 11 attacks. The deadline for REAL ID compliance has been repeatedly ...
This section provides information and a link to background and requirements for Americans traveling abroad. Click on the link below to access our alphabetical listing of countries to view specific entry requirements. The link below also includes information on passports, visas, immunizations, medical information, additional fees, and conditions ...
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced today that the temporary policy allowing students to work more than 20 hours per week off campus will come to an end on April 30, 2024, and it will not be extended. This fall, we intend to change the number of hours students may work off campus per week to ...