Although many nations throughout the world face rigorous entry restrictions from the United States of America, Britons are exempt from these criteria.
When it comes to visiting the US, British nationals enjoy privileges. They are included in the list of nations that the US honours the visa waiver programme for. Through this programme, travellers can apply online for a travel authorization that will allow them to travel to the US by land, air, or sea.
Do You Really Need a Visa to Enter the USA From the UK?
Since the UK is one of the 40 nations taking part in the Visa Waiver Program, UK citizens do not need to apply for a visa in order to enter the USA. Since 1988, this list has included British residents who have the unlimited right to live permanently in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
- All UK residents, however, who do not hold citizenship of a nation free from US visa requirements or who are not residents of Canada or Bermuda, must get a visa in order to travel to the US.
- Obtaining a US Visa in the UK
- It’s time to apply once you’ve determined which form of visa for the USA you require and gathered the necessary paperwork.
- You must follow these easy procedures in order to apply for a US visa in the UK:
- Finish the DS-160 form.
- Deposit the application cost.
- Set up your visa interview.
- assemble the US visa application file.
- Attend the interview for a visa.
- Requirements for Applying for an American Visa
After choosing the sort of visa you must apply for, you should begin gathering the paperwork needed for that US visa. The following are the typical documents needed to apply for an American visa in the UK:
application form DS-160 confirmation page. The DS-160 form may be submitted here. However, if you need help submitting this form, you could seek the assistance of a third-party business like VisaExpress.
Confirmation of appointment page (if applicable).
Passport. Valid for a minimum of 6 months after the date you want to stay in the US. To be able to attach a visa, the passport must have at least one blank page.
one photo for a US visa. five by five centimetres, taken during the last six months. You are not required to submit a second photo if you successfully uploaded one to the DS-160 application form.
Earlier US visas. If you have already been to the US with an older passport, you must bring it with you to the embassy or consulate on the day of the interview.
If you have ever been detained, warned, or found guilty, you must produce an ACRO, a police certificate.
If you have a medical issue that can affect your ability to obtain a visa, a letter from your doctor.
Letter of invitation, if for a B-2 visa.
You must also submit documentation if you have ever had an entry visa denied or been expelled from the US.
It is strongly advised that you purchase travel health insurance before your trip to the US, however it is not necessary. Visit the page for additional details on obtaining US visa insurance.
Attend the UK interview for a US visa.
When applying for a USA visa from the UK, every candidate between the ages of 14 and 79 is required to attend the interview in person at the US consulate or embassy. Under 14-year-olds and anyone over 80 can apply by courier.
Be on time since if you are late for your appointment, it may be cancelled. Due to the procedures, plan on spending two to three hours at the embassy or consulate where you apply. Have all of your documentation organised and on hand.
The embassy/consulate staff will gather, data enter, and review your application paperwork before you appear for the interview. After having your fingerprints taken, a consular officer will question you for a brief period of time.
Various Visas for the USA from the UK
Even if you are a national of a VWP country, you will need to apply for a visa to the US if you are entering for reasons other than business or tourism. Various visas have been established by the US immigration authorities depending on the rationale for an applicant’s intended entry. The following categories of visas are available for application by UK citizens:
How to obtain a B-1 visa From Uk?
- Residents of the United Kingdom who are not qualified to request a travel authorisation must request a B1 Visa. One must meet the requirements given below in order to be eligible for this visa:
- Your company must be legitimate in nature.
- You’re just going to be in the country for a short while.
- You have the means to support yourself while you are a visitor in the US.
- You don’t intend to leave the UK and remain in the US. US A-2 visa
- Your spouse and children cannot apply for a dependant visa on this visa.
How To Get Domestic Employee B-1 Visa
- This category of visa is for domestic or personal staff who are travelling to the US with their employer (cooks, nannies, butlers, chauffeurs, maids, gardeners, paid companions, etc.). The US authorities’ request for documentation of an appropriate wage for the employee is one of the most crucial conditions in this situation.
- B-2 Visa: Vacation Visa for the USA from the UK
- The B2 visa is designed for tourists who want to visit family, friends, or relatives, travel and experience the United States, go on vacation, or enter the nation for medical care.
- Those who apply for this kind of visa must provide proof that they do not intend to remain in the USA and have close ties to the United Kingdom.
- Utilize the services of VisaExpress to improve your chances of receiving a US visitor visa from the UK.
Transiting the United States with a C-1 Visa
- You must apply for a C-1 Transit Visa if you must travel via the United States on your way to another country but you are not qualified for a Travel Authorization. You may transit through the United States using a valid guest visa.
- D Visa – Crew Members on Aircraft or Ships
- If you are employed as a crew member by a ship or airline that operates between the UK and the USA, you must possess a C-1/D visa.
Diplomats & Foreign Government Officials: A-1/A-2 Visa.
- Diplomats and other foreign representatives of the British government who are travelling to the US to conduct official business are subject to this type of visa requirement.
- British nationals qualified for an A-1 visa:
- Ambassador or Consul of the United Kingdom embassy or consulate in the United States UK government cabinet member or minister travelling to the US with the intention of engaging in official activities
- British citizens serve as delegation representatives for the European Union
- family (spouse, unmarried sons and daughters) of a US citizen who is also a citizen of the United Kingdom A-1 visa
UK citizens may apply for an A-2 visa.
- a someone hired by the UK government on a full-time basis to operate in an embassy or consulate in the US
- travelling the US on official business is a representative of the UK government.
- UK service men stationed at a US military post or working at the UK embassy or consulate there
- UK citizens and representatives of a European Union delegation
- family members of a UK national with a US A-1 visa, including the husband and unmarried sons and daughters
- Remember that, other than the Head of the UK Government, no other government official travelling to the US for a non-official reason qualifies for this sort of visa. This kind of visa is also not available to representatives of local political entities by local government officials.
Domestic worker with an A-1/A-2 visa, A-3 visa
The personal employees, attendants, or domestic staff of diplomats and government officials who are in possession of a current A-1 or A-2 visa are eligible for this visa.
Application processing for US visas from the UK
Successful applications are often granted in three to five working days, but occasionally the application procedure might take up to six months or longer. While the embassy processes your application, your passport will remain there. Your passport will be delivered by the embassy or consulate following the approval or denial of your visa. You are unable to pick up your passport on your own.
What Should I Do If My US Visa Is Rejected?
You won’t be able to receive your fee money back if your application for a US visa is rejected. You may still reapply in the future, though, by filing a fresh application and paying the additional visa price.
In order to avoid having your application refused for the same reason again, you must provide evidence of changes in the situation since your first application was turned down.
For Detail Info Visit : https://uk.usembassy.gov/