When you’re putting together international travel plans, you need to get your ducks — and your documents — in a row.
This means making sure you satisfy all visa requirements. If you’re interested in getting a US visa for UK citizens, you’ll need to handle the logistics and put together an application.
Consider the tips below so you can get started.
1. Learn About US Visas and Whether You Need One as a UK Citizen
First off, do you even need a visa to enter the United States?
While you don’t need to get a traditional visa, you do need an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) visa. This is an issue you can handle online and should be done prior to booking your travel.
2. Understand What an ESTA Visa Is and Who Needs It
An ESTA visa is a form of global authorization that lets you travel into the United States without setback.
This is a Visa Waiver Program that was put into place in 2009 that involves a number of participating countries. You will be able to travel to and stay within the United States for about 90 days before you need to come back to the United Kingdom.
The process of getting an ESTA visa is pretty straightforward and will ease your travel obligations.
3. Check Out the Requirements For an ESTA Visa
If you’re going to apply for an ESTA visa, you’ll need to make sure that you satisfy all the requirements.
Since you are registering for a waiver, you can’t currently be in possession of a valid visa if you are going to apply for an ESTA. You’ll also need to be certain that you won’t be in the United States longer than 90 days if you want the waiver to be valid.
The need for a waiver applies whether you are traveling to the United States for business or pleasure. It applies for all 50 states, and United States territories, such as Puerto Rico.
4. Make Sure to Understand the Parameters and Keep the ESTA Visa Valid
If you are going to get an ESTA visa, keep in mind that it has to be filled out online. You’ll need to make sure that you fill out the forms specific to British citizens.
Be sure that you are ready to answer a few security questions so that you don’t invalidate your application or accidentally get a freeze put on it. When you get an ESTA waiver, it’ll be good for the next two years.
It’s important to get a visa, even if you simply have a layover in an airport on American soil.
Thankfully, applying for an ESTA waiver and getting an answer shouldn’t take any longer than 10 minutes or so.
5. Apply For an ESTA Visa
When you are going to apply for an ESTA waiver, be sure that you have a valid debit card so that you can pay any fees online. You’ll need to provide a valid email address for confirmation and should be certain that your passport is up to date.
Since you’re applying for the ESTA based on specific travel plans, be sure that you are able to show a flight itinerary, hotel confirmation, travel voucher or other proof of your plans.
Once you are ready to apply, you’ll need to punch in your passport number and be ready to answer all of the questions related to the ESTA and your intentions for using it.
When you fill out the application, you should expect an e-mail back from the United States Department of Homeland Security. Be sure that you get this confirmation before hitting the airport; you won’t be able to board your flight without it.
Always check ESTA status well before travel so that you don’t hit any snags.
6. Get Your Travel Dates and Passport Together
The earlier you book your travel, the better. Also, make certain that your passport is valid, or that you apply for a new one well in advance if you need a renewal or a brand new one.
Give yourself several weeks to apply for your passport so that you can get it back in time for your trip.
7. Confirm Your Application and Solidify Your Travel Plans
If you don’t immediately get an e-mail about your ESTA waiver, be sure that you take the time to follow up. Check your spam folder and ensure that the email address on file is the one that you used to apply.
Before applying for the ESTA, the system will ask you to confirm your email address to ensure that you have access to it. You will create a profile and account so that you can return to the application in case you need to close it out and finish later.
In the meantime, shore up your travel arrangements to be sure that you’re able to answer any questions on the application. You may also get a followup from an agent in case there’s any conflicting information.
Have all of your documents ready so that the application is a straightforward process.
Apply For a US Visa For UK Citizens
These are the tips you need to bear in mind when you are trying to apply for a US visa for UK citizens.
Whenever you are getting ready to travel, you need to do your due diligence. Let these tips help you so you can travel to and from the United States with no problem.
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