Every Brit needs an ESTA before flying to the US. Here's exactly how to apply, what it costs, common mistakes that get people refused at JFK, and the timing that matters.
Quick answer: apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — the official US government site. Costs $21 (around £17). Approval usually takes minutes but can take up to 72 hours, so apply at least a week before flying. Valid for two years of multiple visits up to 90 days each. Never use a third-party site that charges a "service fee" — they're scams.
The ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is the United States' visa-waiver system for citizens of 41 countries, including the United Kingdom. If you have a British passport, you don't need a traditional US tourist visa — but you do need an approved ESTA before you can board a flight to the US. The airline will check your ESTA status before you board at Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, or wherever you're flying from. Without one, you don't get on the plane.
The ESTA is linked electronically to your passport. There's no document to print, no stamp in your passport — it's a database record. When you arrive at JFK or Newark, the immigration officer scans your passport and your ESTA approval comes up automatically.
The only legitimate site to apply on is esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The cost is $21 (around £17 depending on FX). Many third-party "ESTA application services" exist — they take your money, charge you £40-£90, and then submit the same form to the official site you could have used directly. Avoid them. Even the official-looking ones are not affiliated with the US government.
You'll need: your passport (the application asks for your passport number, country of issuance, and expiry — must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip), a credit/debit card, your travel itinerary if you have one (not strictly required, but speeds approval), and your contact details in the US — typically your hotel name and address (not yet booked? Use the hotel address you'll most likely book; you can update later if needed).
The form asks for personal details, passport information, travel plans, employment details, and a series of "eligibility questions" about criminal history, communicable diseases, drug use, and visa history. Answer truthfully — knowingly false answers are themselves grounds for refusal and a future visa ban.
$21 paid via credit/debit card. You'll get an application number — save this somewhere accessible.
Most applications are approved within minutes. The system can sometimes take up to 72 hours, particularly for applications with any complexity (previous visa refusals, similar names to people on watch lists, etc.). Approval status is checked on the same site using your application number and passport details.
Approximately 1-3% of UK applications are refused. Common reasons:
If refused, the alternative is to apply for a B1/B2 tourist visa via the US Embassy in London. This costs around £160, requires an in-person interview, and takes weeks or months. Most refused-ESTA applicants do get visas — the refusal isn't usually a ban, just a flag for further checking.
Even with an approved ESTA, you still go through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the airport. The officer can ask you questions about your trip purpose, where you're staying, who you're seeing, how long you're staying, and how much money you have. The questions are normally conversational and brief. Two pieces of advice: be relaxed, and don't joke. American immigration officers don't have a sense of humour about anything that sounds remotely like immigration intent (e.g. "yeah, I might just stay forever — ha ha"). Brief, factual answers, friendly demeanour — you're through in 30 seconds.
Two years from approval, or until your passport expires (whichever comes first). You can use it for multiple separate visits during this period, each up to 90 days.
Yes. Every traveller, regardless of age, needs their own ESTA on their own passport.
No. The maximum stay is 90 days. Overstaying is treated very seriously and can result in a long-term ban.
No. ESTA is strictly for tourism, business meetings, or visiting friends and family. To work or study you need a different visa.
Your ESTA is tied to your passport. When the passport expires, the ESTA becomes invalid — even if it had time left. You'll need to apply for a new ESTA against your new passport.
If your flight transits through the US (e.g. UK → Newark → onward to Caribbean), you still need an ESTA. There's no "transit-only" exemption for the visa waiver programme.
Yes — these and other personal details are mandatory fields. They're used for identity verification across CBP databases.
Time to book your hotel. UK-priced, free cancellation on most options.
Search New York Hotels →