us tourist visa from london

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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.

To enter the U.S., you must bring a passport issued by your country of citizenship along with your visa. Officials at your port of entry into the U.S. will also issue you a Form I-94, which electronically records your arrival and departure dates. Learn more about Form I-94 and how to apply .

Find out if you need a visa to visit the U.S.

Check to see if your country participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) . If it does, you can get a waiver and will not need a visa. If you do not see your country listed, you will need a visitor visa.

Visitor (tourist) visa

The visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa, is a type of nonimmigrant visa for people who wish to temporarily enter the U.S. There are two categories:

• B-1 for business travel
• B-2 for tourism and medical treatment

Learn about B-1 and B-2 visas , including:

• Reasons you would need each type of visitor visa
• How to apply
• What documents you will need
• Application fees
• How to prepare for your interview at your U.S. embassy or consulate

How to renew a visitor visa

You must renew your visitor visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Only diplomatic visa holders and their dependents can renew their visas within the U.S.

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

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B-1 Business Visitor Visa

Our london us visa office provides expert advice and support with your usa visitor visa application..

The B Visitor visa category allows visitors to travel to the USA for the purpose of business or tourism. The B-1 Visitor visa is for those who wish to enter the US solely for business and the B-2 visa is for those entering the USA solely for tourism. Often, a person’s activity in the US will involve a mix of business and tourism and therefore a Consular Officer may issue the visa as a combined B-1/B-2 visa so the applicant can engage in both business and tourism activities.

Please note:

Most British, Irish and European country passport holders may enter the US for up to 90 days a trip for the purpose of business or tourism under the  Visa Waiver Program . For information about how to obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization or an “ESTA” to travel visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program please refer to the US Customs and Border Protection website and the basic information about the Visa Waiver Program in the following paragraphs.

If you wish to apply for a B-1/B-2 Visitor visa and only require basic information regarding the requirements and procedures for this US visa, please contact your local US Embassy or Consulate . If you have a complex issue relating to traveling to the US, one of our US visa lawyers can provide advice.

In general, a person will need a B Visitor visa to enter the US if one of the following applies:

• You hold a passport from a country that does not participate in the US Visa Waiver Program, or
• You are a national of a Visa Waiver Program but you cannot enter the US because: 1) you have a criminal conviction for certain offences or are a drug abuser or addict, 2) you have violated US immigration law, 3) you have been refused entry into the US or 4) you have been denied travel authorization via ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).

If you are a national of the Visa Waiver Program and are applying for a B Visitor visa and are not restricted from traveling under ESTA, you will be required to demonstrate to a Consular Officer that your proposed activity in the United States is solely for short business trips or tourism (ie that you do not intend to work in the USA), you have substantial ties to your home country and financial ability to support your trip to the United States. The personal interview at the embassy or consulate bears a lot of weight on the Consular Officer’s decision.

B Visitor Visa and E-2 Investors: Often, those who wish to travel to the US on a B Visitor visa to investigate the development or purchase of a business in the US that would serve as the basis of a future E-2 Treaty Investor visa application should travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program as that period of 90 days per visit should provide ample amount of time to research businesses and markets in the United States. This is particularly true for B Visitor visa applicants applying at the Embassy in London or the US Consulate in Belfast.

Various Types of B-1 Business Visitor Visas

There are many types of B-1 Business visas that allow foreign nationals to enter the US to engage in various activities. The B-1 in Lieu of H-1B visa is an example of a type of B-1 Business Visitor visa.

B-1 in Lieu of H-1B: This visa allows certain employees of foreign countries to enter the US who would otherwise qualify for the H-1B Professional Worker visa but do not have a US employer. An applicant for this type of US visa will need to show they are employed by a foreign employer and must go to the US to provide professional services to a customer or client in the US and that the person has the equivalent of a minimum of a US bachelor’s degree in a specific field. The applicant may not receive a salary or remuneration other than an expense or allowance or other reimbursements from a US company.

The information above is for informational purposes only and is no indication of the likelihood of success or whether a person is admissible to the US.  For more information on applying for a US visa from the UK, get in touch with our American visa agency today.

CALL US: +44 (0)20 8004 3492

Applying for a us visa from london.

• December 28, 2018

Making a US visa application at the US Embassy in London

Most British passport holders can visit the US for up to 90 days for tourism or business-related purposes under the US Visa Waiver Program. The VWP  allows citizens of 38 countries (including the UK) to enter the US without a visa.

UK residents who do not hold citizenship of a country eligible under the VWP and who are not citizens of Canada or Bermuda, are required to obtain a visa to travel to the United States.

To travel visa-free, you will first need to apply online for ESTA travel authorization.

If you are refused ESTA authorization, or are otherwise ineligible for visa-free travel because:

• you are a national of a country which is not covered by the VWP;
• you have a criminal conviction for certain offences;
• you have violated US immigration law; or
• you have previously been refused entry into the US

to travel to the US for a short-term stay, you will need to apply for a B visa .

Choosing a US visa

UK residents travelling to the US for reasons other than tourism or business-related activities, or for a period of more than 90 days, or who are otherwise ineligible for ESTA authorization, will need to apply to the UK Embassy in London for the relevant US visa.

The US immigration system provides a number of visas depending on your reason for travel to the US. These includes temporary and permanent visas, and are generally based on entry by reason of work or employment, education or training, or family life.

Common visas include the B visitor visa and the spouse-based immigrant visa , which permits US citizens to sponsor their spouse to move back to the US with them.

US citizen spouse who have been living in the UK under a British visa or with a British or European passport can be at a significant processing advantage. Processing time to obtain the spouse visa is generally reduced to around 3-4 months since the application can begin at the USCIS field office in the US Embassy in London

The US Embassy in London also handles applications for renunciation of US citizenship.

Making your US visa application in London

Once you have identified the relevant visa category , you can proceed with the application process. This will generally involve:

• Gathering the supporting documents and information
• Completing the relevant application form and filing it at the US Consulate in your country of residence (US Embassy in London or Belfast for UK residents)
• Paying the relevant application fee(s)
• Attending the visa interview at the US Embassy in London, if you are between the ages of 14 and 79
• Decision – visa granted, further information requested or visa denied

US visa interview at the Embassy in London

An important stage in the visa application process is the visa interview. If you filed your application at the Embassy in London, you will need to attend an interview there.

Schedule around 3 hours for the visit as a whole. Visitor visa interviews generally last around 20 minutes, where the application is straightforward and the applicant is well prepared. While at the Embassy, you will also have your biometric data taken.

During the interview, you will be asked to explain the purpose of the proposed trip to the USA and answer questions on your application, the information you have already provided and many be asked to present documents to evidence your application. Being prepared is essential – it takes the pressure off, and improves your prospects of the visa being granted promptly.

B visitor visa applicants will need to evidence their intention to leave the US at the end of their trip. Proof of your ties to your country of residence could include recent mortgage statements, details of your continued employment in the UK. You will also need to prove you have access to sufficient funds to maintain you during the trip.

It will be at the adjudicator’s discretion. If you are unable to answer a question or provide evidence on a specific point during the interview, the adjudicator may request that you submit the outstanding information following the interview. This will delay visa processing.

Visa processing times can vary. A decision may be given straightaway, and you can submit your passport at the end of your interview to be stamped and the visa issued, or may take a few working days. Some visas or applications take considerably longer, up to 6 months, due to the complexity of the case.

Refused US visa application?

If your application is refused, you will lose your application fee(s).

Take professional advice to understand why you were denied, starting a new application will necessitate addressing the issues that failed your initial application. It may be that an alternative visa or immigration route is more appropriate for your circumstances, needs and eligibility.

This article does not constitute direct legal advice and is for informational purposes only.

• Last updated December 28, 2018

By Nita Nicole Upadhye

Nita Nicole Upadhye is the Founder & Principal Attorney at NNU Immigration. A recognized leader in the field of US immigration law, Nita successfully acts for individuals and companies from across the globe, providing expert guidance on all aspects of US visa and nationality applications.

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Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait time for an interview using the tool below. Not all visa applications can be completed on the day of the interview; please read the information below for more details .

Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Note: Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Global Visa Wait Times

Wait Time for Interview

The estimated wait time to receive a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate and is based on workload and staffing and can vary from week to week. The information provided is an estimate and does not guarantee the availability of an appointment.

Wait Time for Interview Waiver

Wait times for applicants eligible for Interview Waiver are applicable only for locations where applicants schedule appointments to submit their passport and any required documents to a U.S. embassy or consulate. The wait time estimate does not account for the time required for a consular officer to adjudicate the application nor mailing time of passports or other documents. Refer to the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will apply to determine your eligibility for Interview Waiver and for instructions for submitting a nonimmigrant visa application. Note that applicants must be a national or resident of the country where they are applying to be eligible to apply via Interview Waiver.

Qualifications for an Expedited Interview Appointment

Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section  where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment.

In all cases : You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment.

Note: Travel for the purpose of attending weddings and graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives, participating in an annual business/academic/professional conference, or enjoying last-minute tourism does not qualify for expedited appointments. For such travel, please schedule a regular visa appointment well in advance.

These estimates do not include time required for administrative processing, which may affect some applications. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.

There are only two possible outcomes for U.S. visa applications. The consular officer will either issue or refuse the visa. If a visa applicant has not established that he or she is eligible for a visa, the consular officer must refuse that application. However, some refused visa applications may require further administrative processing. When administrative processing is required, the consular officer will inform the applicant at the end of the interview. The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case. At the conclusion of the administrative processing period, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. The officer may also conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa. Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visas, well in advance of the anticipated travel date.

Important Notice:   Except in cases of emergency travel (i.e. serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.

About Visa Processing Wait Times – Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Information about nonimmigrant visa wait times for interviews and visa processing time frames are shown on this website, as well as on U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites worldwide. It should be noted that the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be Processed” information by country does not include time required for administrative processing. Processing wait time also does not include the time required to return the passport to applicants, by either courier services or the local mail system.

In addition, it is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific  Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website  for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Embassy and Consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.

About Wait Times

* Calendar days refers to every day of the week, including days when embassies are closed (such as weekends and holidays).

† Work days refers only to days when the embassy is open and does not include weekends and holidays.      

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U.S. Travelers Will Soon Have to Pay to Enter the U.K.

By Sarah James

U.S. visitors—as well as visitors from Europe , Australia and Canada —will soon be required to apply for permission to enter the U.K. through a new scheme known as Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

The U.K. government is in the process of fully digitizing U.K. borders by the end of 2025—and the ETA scheme will play its part, allowing “individuals, and carriers, with more assurance at an earlier point in time about their ability to travel to the U.K.,” the government said.

The scheme will be in place by the end of this year (2023), and visitors will be required to fill out an online application granting them permission to travel. There will be a small fee included in the application—similar to how the U.S.'s own ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) system works for U.K. travelers.

Here's everything we know.

Will I need a visa to enter the U.K.?

This isn't technically a visa—the ETA system will grant travelers permission to enter the country. You will need to apply for an ETA prior to arrival. If you haven't received permission to travel before arrival, you may get fined.

Travelers from the U.S. will soon need to apply for permission to enter the U.K.

How long will it take to get an ETA?

Travelers will be advised to apply for an ETA at least a few days before their journey. Approval should be granted within 72 hours of application.

How long will an ETA last?

After your ETA has been approved, visitors will be granted permission to stay in the U.K. for six months, whether for business or tourism reasons.

The U.K. government is yet to confirm how often visitors will need to apply for a new ETA, but it's likely to be valid for two years—meaning there's no need to apply for a new one every time you visit within the valid time period.

Visitors with valid ETAs can stay—and travel—in U.K. for up to six months.

How much will an ETA cost?

We don't know yet—but the government has said that the cost will be small. The EU implemented a similar system in 2022, which costs €7. A U.S. ESTA, meanwhile, costs $21.

Who will need to apply for an ETA?

The full list of nations included hasn't been announced yet. We do know that U.S. citizens who don't hold a visa will need to apply for an ETA, as will other visa-exempt nations such as Canada and Australia. European countries are likely to be included, too.  Those traveling from nationalities without a visa-free agreement with the UK will still need to apply for another applicable type of UK visa.

What will I need to apply for an ETA?

You'll need a valid passport , an email address to register with, and to supply the details of your travel, as well as a valid debit or credit card to pay any fees to apply.

To keep up to date with the latest information on the ETA scheme, check the official website for more details as they become available.

This article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller U.K.  

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• Visas and immigration
• What you need to do

How to apply for a visa to come to the UK

Choose a visa.

You may need a visa to come to the UK to study, work, visit or join family.

There are different visas depending on:

• where you come from
• why you want to come to the UK
• how long you want to stay for
• your personal circumstances and skills

Before you apply, you must check if you need a visa and what type you need. Depending on your nationality, you might not need a visa to visit or transit through the UK.

Your application must be approved before you travel.

You do not need to apply for a visa if you’re an Irish citizen.

If you want to visit the UK

Apply for a Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months. For example:

• for a holiday or to see family and friends
• for a business trip or meeting
• to do a short course of study

You must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if you want to visit the UK to get married or register a civil partnership.

If you have a visitor visa you cannot take a job in the UK.

If you’re travelling through the UK

You might need a visa if you’re travelling through the UK on your way to another country, for example if you have a layover between flights.

Apply for a visa to travel through the UK .

If you want to study in the UK

Your course length, type and place of study affect which visa to apply for.

A Standard Visitor visa lets you do a short course of study that lasts no longer than 6 months.

A Short-term study visa lets you come to the UK to study an English language course that is over 6 months and up to 11 months.

A Student visa is usually for a longer course. You must be sponsored by a licensed college or university and have a confirmed place. On this visa, you may be able to do some work.

A Child Student visa is for 4 to 17 year olds who want to study at an independent school. If you’re 16 or over, this visa lets you do some work.

If you want to work in the UK

You can work in the UK on a short or long-term basis with a work visa. There are many types of work visa .

The visa you need depends upon:

• your skills and qualifications
• if you have a job offer and sponsorship
• if you want to bring your family with you
• what you’ll be doing - for example sporting, charitable or religious work

You can set up a business with an Innovator Founder visa .

If you want to join family in the UK

If you’re a spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or settlement in the UK, you can apply for a family visa to join them. They may need to show that they can support you financially.

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain ( ILR ) after a set amount of time living in the UK.

If your family member is in the UK on a visa

You may be able to apply for a visa to join a family member who’s in the UK on a visa. They must be either:

• your spouse or partner
• your parent if you’re 18 or under

Check what visa you’ll need to join them.

Family reunion visas for refugees

If you were separated from your partner or child when you were forced to leave your country, they can apply to join you in the UK.

Your family members can apply if you have been given asylum or 5 years’ humanitarian protection, and not have British citizenship.

If your family member is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

You can apply for a free EU Settlement Scheme family permit to come to the UK if you have a close family member who:

• was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
• has pre-settled or settled status
• you had a relationship with by 31 December 2020 (unless you’re applying for a child who was born or adopted after this date)

Close family members include your spouse or civil partner, child, grandchild, parent or grandparent.

A family permit lets you live, work and study in the UK for up to 6 months. You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to stay in the UK after your family permit expires. You usually need to apply within 3 months of arriving in the UK.

Other ways to get permission to live in the UK

If you’re from the eu, switzerland, norway, iceland or liechtenstein.

If you started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme instead of applying for a visa. The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021, but you can still apply if you can show reasonable grounds for the delay in applying.

Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme .

You can only apply from outside the UK if you have a valid passport or national identity card with a biometric chip.

Commonwealth citizens

You can apply for an Ancestry visa to work in the UK if you have a British grandparent and meet other eligibility criteria.

You may have right of abode to live in the UK.

If you’re a Commonwealth citizen and cannot prove your right to be in the UK, read about the Windrush scheme .

Returning residents

You’ll need to apply for a returning resident visa to come back to the UK if one of the following is true:

you had indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme (‘settled status’) and left the UK for more than 5 continuous years (or 4 continuous years if you’re a Swiss citizen or their family member)

you had permanent permission to stay in the UK (‘indefinite leave to remain’) but it was not under the EU Settlement Scheme and you left the UK for more than 2 years

Other visas

There may be another visa that’s right for you based on your circumstances. Check if you need a visa and what other visas you’re eligible for.

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Fly to London for Only $299 on This New Route From the U.S.

Norse Atlantic Airways is launching a new route from Las Vegas to London in the fall.

johnkellerman/Getty Images

It will soon be easier and cheaper to fly from Las Vegas to London.  Norse Atlantic Airways is launching a new route from London’s Gatwick Airport to Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport, the airline shared with Travel + Leisure on Thursday. The service will begin on Sept. 12, and operate three times per week. In a nod to the luck that visitors aim to have when visiting Las Vegas, the flight will operate with Norse’s lucky number seven as flight ‘Z0777’. The 9-hour and 50-minute direct route will depart Las Vegas at 4:45pm, and arrive in London Gatwick at 10:35am the following day, local time. The flight will operate on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. “We are excited to introduce this new route from London Gatwick to Las Vegas, a unique city that offers unparalleled diversity, boasting an abundance of entertainment, dining, and recreational options to suit every taste,” Norse Atlantic Airways CEO and Founder Bjorn Tore Larsen said in a statement.

The airline is celebrating with one-way introductory fares at $299. The return flight from London to Las Vegas is also discounted, as low as $205.  The discounted fares are for Norse's Economy Light cabin, which includes only one personal item, and has an added fee for any changes. The airline has a premium cabin available for additional cost, which includes checked bags, priority boarding, and more.  Travelers should be advised that the flight operates from London's Gatwick Airport, and not London Heathrow. Gatwick provides direct train access to 120 train stations , including London's Victoria station via the Gatwick Express. With recent events such as Formula 1 Racing , the Super Bowl, and the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Las Vegas has seen a surge in tourism and business travelers. The Las Vegas airport set a new record of 57.6 million passengers in 2023.