us visit 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.

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U.S. Embassy London, United Kingdom - LND

Please follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in London, United Kingdom.

Step 1: Register online

Before your interview, you must register a delivery address for your passport’s return with the embassy’s online service. Registration is free. Click the “Register” button below to register.

If you want to cancel or reschedule your appointment, you will be able to do so after this.

Register >>

Step 2: Get a medical exam in the United Kingdom

As soon as you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam in the United Kingdom. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for information on the embassy’s designated medical practitioner. Please schedule and attend a medical exam at this clinic before your interview.

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 3: Complete your pre-interview checklist

It is important that you bring all required original documents listed in the pre-interview checklist below to your interview. Please print the checklist and bring it to your interview along with the listed documents.

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review interview guidelines

Read our interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Embassy can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with the clinic listed below before your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. Medical examination results from another medical practitioner will not be accepted. View a  map to this Medical Office .

VisaMedicals

Tel: 020-7486-7822 (you must provide your case number when you call)

Location: 4 Bentinck Mansions London W1U 2ER (near the Bond Street Station)

Items to bring to your medical examination

Each person attending the medical examination is required to furnish the following:

• Your visa interview letter,
• Photo identification: passport or driving license,
• Four (4) recently taken passport-sized color photographs,
• A copy of your immunization records,
• Police certificate issued by ACPO (applicants aged 16 years of age and older only),
• A completed medical questionnaire for each person attending an exam, including babies,
• Referral from general practitioner (GP) regarding any ongoing medical issues or treatments, and
• All medical and specialist reports relating to the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB).
• DS-260 Confirmation page.

Any medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician in cash or by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) only. The basic fee for adults (age 15 years and older) is 290 British pounds. The fee for children age 14 years and younger is 125 British pounds. There is a charge of 95 British pounds for missed appointments and changes/cancellations with less than three working days’ notice.

During the medical exam

The medical examination will include a medical history review, physical examination, chest X-ray, gonorrhea testing, blood tests, and a urine sample (for applicants 15 years of age or older). The United States also requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for all applicants two years of age and older. Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, medications you are taking, and current treatments you are undergoing. More information on medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available here .

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant visa vaccination requirements are available here (note the varicella vaccination is unavailable in the United Kingdom). You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical examination requirements online .

Please be advised that pregnant women are required to undergo an X-ray. You will have the opportunity to discuss this with the physician on the day of the appointment. A chaperone will be provided, if requested, for any applicant.

After the medical exam

When your examination is completed, the doctor will send the report directly to the U.S. Embassy. IF GIVEN AN ENVELOPE TO CARRY TO YOUR INTERVIEW, DO NOT OPEN THIS ENVELOPE . Instead, bring it to your visa interview. Regardless of the expected arrival of the report, do not cancel the scheduled interview. The medical report must be less than six months old when you enter the United States as an immigrant.

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Pre-Interview checklist

Please use the list below to determine the items that every applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview:

A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé(e), adoptive, or asylee/refugee applicants).

Unexpired passport valid for six months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States.

Two (2) color passport-size photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm, or 2 inch x 2 inch). Please review our online photo requirements .

Confirmation page from the Form DS-260 Application for an Immigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/iv .

Your original birth certificate or certified copy provided by the issuing authority, English translation, and a photocopy. The certificate must list both parents’ names. Short form versions of the UK birth certificate are unacceptable.

Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying) .

Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should bring these additional documents:

For family-based visa applications:

• The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s.
• Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card).
• Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails).

If you are married: Your original marriage certificate, English translation, and a photocopy. A certified copy from the issuing authority is acceptable.

If you were previously married: Your original divorce or spouse’s death certificate, English translation, and a photocopy. A certified copy from the issuing authority is acceptable.

If you are 16 years of age or older: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and countries of previous residence. UK police certificates can be obtained from the Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO) . If the three items below are all true, you must bring a more recent police certificate to the interview.

• You are 16 years of age or older;
• You obtained a police certificate more than one year ago; and
• You still live in the country that issued the police certificate.

For employment-based visa applications: Job offer letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.

If you have ever been convicted of a crime: Court and criminal records, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you have served in any country’s military: Military records, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you are the petitioner’s stepchild: The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, English translation, and a photocopy along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent.

Interview Guidelines

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please go to ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb/iv to select a new appointment date after the date of your NVC scheduled interview has passed. There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment, so please attempt to attend the date already assigned. For some family-based and employment preference visa categories, a visa became available within the month you have been scheduled by NVC. DV applicants should be aware that visas are numerically limited and must be issued by September 30 of the program year. There is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview. Please carefully consult the Visa Bulletin before you decide to reschedule your interview.

Please note: You need to register your original NVC/KCC appointment online before you can reschedule it. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after your assigned appointment.

Security screening procedures and accompanying persons

All visitors to the U.S. Embassy must follow certain security procedures. Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Embassy security personnel will be unable to enter the building. To avoid delaying your entry and that of those in line behind you, please bring only what is required for your interview. Large bags are not allowed in the embassy and there is no storage available on-site. You may bring a mobile phone, e-reader, or tablet computer. However, tablet keyboards are not allowed.

The following persons may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• Interpreter: Applicants may bring ONE interpreter if they do not speak English.
• Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.

You must use this link to notify the Embassy ahead of time of the name of the person who will accompany the applicant; otherwise they will not be admitted. They are required to bring photo identification with them.

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview.

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website, please be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview. All fees may be paid in U.S. dollars or British pounds. We accept cash, international money order, bankers drafts, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, American Express, or a debit card with a Visa logo only) . Please note that if you are found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded. A complete list of fees can be found here .

Do not make travel plans outside of the United Kingdom

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the embassy while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. We will return your passport via courier services within two weeks.

After Your Visa Interview

A consular officer can make a decision on a visa application only after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa.

If more information is needed

Sometimes a consular officer is unable to make a decision on a visa application because he/she needs to review additional documents or the case requires further administrative processing. When additional documents are requested, the consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents. The letter will include instructions on how to send those documents to the Embassy.

Some cases undergo administrative processing . -Administrative processing can take a long time and the Embassy is not able to provide an estimated completion time with any reasonable certainty.

What happens after visa approval

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet – We will place your immigrant visa on a page in your passport. Please review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors. We will also give you a sealed envelope containing documents that you must give to U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time. Do not open this envelope. You must carry it with you; do not put it in your checked luggage. If you receive X-rays during your medical examination, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities.

USCIS Immigrant Fee – All individuals who are issued immigrant visas overseas must pay a Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to traveling to the United States. This fee is for processing your residency status and printing your Permanent Resident Card. The only people exempt from paying this fee are: children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents, and people traveling on a K visa.

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, which is usually six months from the date of printing. Your visa cannot be extended and all fees are nonrefundable. The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. Children who turn 21 years old after visa issuance must enter the United States before they turn 21 years old; otherwise they will lose their immigrant status.

Getting a Green Card – Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, will be automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you write in your visa application form. This is a very important document that proves you have permission to reside in the United States. Do not travel outside of the United States until you receive your Permanent Resident Card. Once your card is issued, you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year. If you do, you will lose your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Children’s Issues – Children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school in the United States. Therefore, we recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. Additionally, if your child is adopted, you have full custody as a result of a divorce, or you share custody with the child’s other parent, we recommend that you bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custodial papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will likely need these papers (translated into English) in the United States for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants – Please visit the USCIS web page for helpful information on moving to the United States. You can read their publication “Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants” online.

Diversity Visa Applicants - Additional Information

If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all of the above instructions apply to you. Please schedule and attend a medical examination prior to your visa interview; enroll in the required courier service; and gather the required documents.

Below are additional instructions that apply only to DV applicants.

Bring to your interview

In addition to the documents listed on the Pre-Interview Checklist in this package, DV applicants should also bring the following items to your visa interview:

• Appointment information printed from the “Entrant Status Check” on the E-DV website .
• Documents showing that you have either a qualifying high school education OR have two years of qualifying work experience in the last five years immediately prior to application (for the principal applicant only; more information is available online ).
• Payment of the $330 Diversity Visa Application Fee. All fees may be paid in U.S. dollars or British pounds. We accept cash, international money order, bankers drafts, and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, American Express, or a debit card with a Visa logo only ).

Review your DV Lottery entry

Prior to your visa interview, we recommend that you review the data on your initial E-DV entry. On your initial E-DV application, you must have correctly entered your marital status. If you are legally married you must have listed your spouse, even if you are currently separated from him/her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Additionally, you must have listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old. This includes your natural children, your spouse’s children, or children you have formally adopted in accordance with the laws of your country.

Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery will result in the denial of your visa and visas for your family. Any fees paid to the U.S. government in support of your visa application(s) are nonrefundable. If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse to whom you were married when you entered the lottery, you should not proceed with the visa application. You can review the eligibility requirements online .

Last Updated: 9/24/2019

Contact Information

Nine Elms Lane London, SW11 7US United Kingdom

Other links

Diversity visa instructions After your interview Frequently asked questions Where to find Civil Documents

Interview Preparation

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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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US Visitor Visa for UK Citizens

If you are planning on visiting the United States from the UK temporarily, you will need a US Visitor Visa or some other form of immigration permission. Here is information on requirements and how to apply for a US Visitor visa from the UK.

Call us on 0333 305 9375 for assistance with applying. We provide immigration services that help UK citizens acquire US Visas.

Request a call back from our immigration experts

Page contents.

• What is ESTA?
• Types of the US Visit Visa?
• Requirements for UK citizens
• Required and supporting documents
• How to apply from the UK
• Cost and Processing times
• US Visitor Visa help

Frequently Asked Questions

Visiting the united states from the uk.

If you wish to travel to the United States temporarily, you can apply for a visitor visa. A US Visitor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows people from the UK and other countries to enter the United States for six months.

This visa is a temporary visa that allows holders to travel to the United States and stay for up to 180 days at most in a year. This non-immigrant visa is typically valid for up to 120 months.

British citizens can travel to the US for leisure or certain business purposes on visitor nonimmigrant visas for 180 days at a time. However, if you are staying for 90 days or less, you can visit the US on ESTA instead of a visa because the UK participates in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

If you need more information or help with successfully applying to come to the US on a valid visa as a temporary visitor, contact our immigration lawyers. Call us on 0333 305 9375 today

Take the first step. Request a Fact Finding + Expert Consultation Contact Us

What Is An ESTA?

ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. The US ESTA allows citizens of the UK to visit the US for tourism, transit or business. It’s easier and quicker as you can get it within 24 hours after submitting the ESTA online application form.

The US ESTA is valid for 2 years and allows UK nationals to stay in the UK for up to 90 days without a visa. Also, it can be used for return visits.

Along with the UK, 38 countries are also in the VWP. Citizens of those countries can apply for an ESTA as well.

The application process is easy; once you begin, you must complete it in seven days or your progress will be deleted. To apply, you will:

• Accept the disclaimers
• Provide your valid passport
• Provide biographical and other information
• List travel arrangements
• Answer yes/no eligibility questions
• Review and confirm provided information
• Pay the $14 processing fee
• Submit your application
• Await decision

You can print or download a PDF version of the above for your records.

If you change your name, gender, citizenship, passport, or answers in the ESTA form, you must apply for a new ESTA.

Types Of US Visitor Visa

If you wish to travel to the United States on a nonimmigrant Visitor visa, there are three categories:

B1 Business Visitor Visa

The B1 Visitor visa is a nonimmigrant visa that permits holders to visit the US temporarily for some business activities. The permitted activities for business travellers visiting the US include:

• Attending business, educational, scientific or professional conventions, conferences, or seminars
• Negotiating contracts
• Attending business meetings
• Attending sessions/handling disputes in court
• Consulting with business associates
• Engaging in unpaid voluntary work

B2 Visa or Tourist Visitor Visa

The B2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows you to travel to the US for tourism, pleasure, medical treatment, or visiting. These are some of the permitted activities on the B2 visa:

• Visiting friends or relatives
• Receiving medical treatment (where there’s a confirmed diagnosis and a letter from a medical facility in the US treatment).
• Unpaid amateurs participating in musical, sports and similar events or contests

A B1/B2 Visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits the visa holders to partake in both the permitted activities under the B-1 and B2 visas.

If you are unsure if your activity is covered under any of the US visitor visas, contact an immigration lawyer for assistance. Call us on 0333 305 9375 .

Visitor Visa Requirements

Each visitor visa category has specific requirements that you must meet to demonstrate your eligibility. However, there are some general requirements, they include that you:

• Must have a legitimate reason to enter the U.S
• Have enough money to cover your activities and support yourself throughout the duration of your stay
• Intent to leave the US after a limited period of stay
• Have strong ties with the UK and have plans to go back home
• You aren’t planning on giving birth in the U.S (birth tourism)

In addition, the US Visitor nonimmigrant visas do not permit holders to earn a degree while in the US or be employed. Although you can take on some short voluntary activities, you cannot take on paid work. If you are to study, it must not be the main reason for your coming and it must be a short recreational course, for example, a 1-day cooking class while on vacation.

Required Documents For The US Visitor Visa

Like with applying for any US Visas, UK citizens must provide some required documents to demonstrate that they meet the eligibility requirements. They include the following documents:

• A valid British passport
• A passport-sized photograph
• Filled form DS-160
• Evidence of your ties and intention to return to the UK, for example, letters from your employer or property ownership documents)
• Proof that you can support yourself and cover all your expenses during your visit
• Documents detailing the purpose of your travel to the US

You may need to present additional documents depending on your reason for applying for a US visitor visa from the UK. For example, if you are applying for a b2 visa because you’re seeking medical treatment, then you must provide evidence of a medical diagnosis from a licensed physician that proves your need for treatment in the US, a letter from the facility in the US that is to treat you with details on your treatment and hospitalization fees, and proof of financial support, including to cover the medical-related expenses.

Get in touch with our expert immigration lawyers to learn how to apply for a US visitor visa. Contact us

How To Apply For A US Visitor Visa From The UK

To apply for any of the US visitor visas from the UK, you must begin by completing the online visa application form (Form DS-160). After you have submitted that, ensure you print the confirmation page as you will need that for your interview.

Upload your photograph and pay the visa application fee. After you have paid visa fees, you can schedule an interview with a consular officer in the U.S. Embassy in London or the Consulate General in Belfast. The visa interview is compulsory for visa applicants between the ages of 14 and 79.

Take the confirmation page of your DS-160 and the required and supporting documents with you for your interview. At the embassy or consulate, a staff will collect, enter, and review your visa application and your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph).

Afterwards, you will meet with a consular officer who will ask you a few questions to determine your eligibility.

Cost And Processing Times Of The US Visitor Visas

Cost of a b1/b2 visa.

The B1 and B2 visitor visas cost $160. This fee is not refundable and must be paid during the visa application process.

Processing times of the B1 & B2 Visa?

Successful B1 & B2 applications from the UK take 3-5 workdays to process. After your business or tourist visa interview, expect a 5-7 work-day window to allow for delivery via courier.

There’s no way to accelerate the processing of your visa for a faster time. If you are in a hurry, apply for an ESTA.

If your application is successful, you will get your UK passport back and your B1/B2 visa. If your application is denied, you will get your UK passport back along with notification of refusal, and you can reapply.

How Can Total Law Help UK Citizens Visit The United States?

Our team of immigration lawyers are experienced in assisting UK citizens and residents with obtaining a United States visitor visa. We are ready to assist you with any visa or immigration matter.

Whether you want assistance with applying for a visa or advice on the right visa route for your particular circumstances, we can help you through custom immigration packages that meet your exact needs. We provide support and advice in these aspects:

• Immigration to the US from the UK
• Assessing your eligibility for a visitor visa
• Providing advice on your visitor and other immigration options
• Filing a visa application for you
• Ensuring that all your documentation and forms are submitted with the highest of standards
• Helping with gathering documents and evidence of eligibility
• Guiding you through a visa interview
• Liaising with the USCIS on your behalf

For more information about how we can help you travel to and visit the United States from the United Kingdom, please give us a call or contact us online. You can call us on 0333 305 9375 or send an email to [email protected] .

Advice Package

Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.

Application Package

Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Fast Track Package

Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.

Appeal Package

Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.

The Advice Package

During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.

The Application Package

With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.

The Fast Track Package

Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.

The Appeal Package

By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.

If you wish to find out which of the U.S. family visas is best for you, the Total Law team is happy to assist. Learn more

Related pages for your continued reading.

K4 child visa, k1 fiance visa, family based green cards, spouse immigrant visa, us citizenship, do i need a visa to travel to the usa from the uk.

You don’t need a visa to visit the USA from the UK. The UK is part of the US visa waiver program, so you can apply for an ESTA online and travel to the US with that. An ESTA allows you to stay in the US for up to 90 days.

However, UK visitors that want to stay in the United States for more than 90 days will have to apply for a visa. Depending on your intentions, tourist visas or family visas may be appropriate. You can check this website for more visas.

For advice on the best immigration route for your circumstances, contact us today. Call us on 0333 305 9375 .

Can I switch from a US Visitor Visa to another visa?

You may be able to apply for a change in your nonimmigrant status if your situation changes. For example, if you marry a US citizen, you may be eligible for a K3 Spouse visa .

If you make an application while in the US to the USCIS, you will not need to apply for a new visa, but must do so once you leave the US. The United States government does not allow foreign citizens to return without a valid visa.

How can I pass my visa interview?

The following tips may be you pass your visa interview during your interview appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country:

• Prove your ties to the UK
• Prove that you will return to the UK
• Provide all necessary and supporting documents
• Ensure you don’t and haven’t gone against immigration laws

In addition, be concise, truthful, and confident when answering the interview questions.

What visa interview questions should I expect?

The US visa interview questions you may be asked will depend on the consular officers. They may include:

• Do you have family or friends living in the US?
• What plans have you made for travelling to the US?
• What’s the nature of your visit?
• How will you pay for your trip?
• What do you do for a living?
• How much money do you earn?
• What family do you have in your home country?
• What assurances can you give that you won’t overstay your visa in the US?

Disclaimer: Total Law operates under different capacities in the various countries we cover, including as immigration consultants or lawyers; We connect clients with our network of immigration lawyers if we are not registered as a law firm in a particular country

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US to impose new visa curbs on Hong Kong officials over rights crackdown

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Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Kanishka Singh; Additional reporting by Farah Master and Jessie Pang in Hong Kong, and Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Kim Coghill and William Mallard

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Thomson Reuters

Kanishka Singh is a breaking news reporter for Reuters in Washington DC, who primarily covers US politics and national affairs in his current role. His past breaking news coverage has spanned across a range of topics like the Black Lives Matter movement; the US elections; the 2021 Capitol riots and their follow up probes; the Brexit deal; US-China trade tensions; the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan; the COVID-19 pandemic; and a 2019 Supreme Court verdict on a religious dispute site in his native India.

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Migrant workers at greater risk of modern slavery after Brexit, research finds

Exclusive: Visas created hastily to solve labour shortages expose people to ‘hyper-precarity’ and exploitation

Visas created hastily to solve labour shortages as a result of Brexit have put workers at greater risk of modern slavery and exploitation, research has found.

Strict conditions on agricultural and care visas created after Britain left the EU expose workers to “hyper-precarity” and increase their vulnerability to exploitation, a study by a coalition of leading universities and charities has concluded. Since Brexit, farm workers and care home workers have had a route to Britain on time-limited visas with stringent conditions.

Workers on the schemes faced significant issues of debt and deductions from wages because of illegal recruitment fees as well as costs incurred from travel, training, accommodation and high visa charges, researchers found. They also described deception by intermediaries, who misled workers about the conditions and length of employment they could expect.

Migrant workers’ vulnerability to exploitation was compounded by the hostile environment as fears of immigration enforcement action deterred them from reporting mistreatment or exploitation to the authorities, researchers found. The risks were increased by the fact that government agencies charged with enforcing employment rights were underfunded and did not have capacity to audit workplaces proactively, the study said.

Dr Inga Thiemann at the University of Leicester, who led the research team, said there was a high risk of “labour exploitation and debt bondage” under both visas. She said Brexit had made workers more vulnerable because those coming from Europe had previously “had the possibility to make complaints and to talk about labour exploitation because they wouldn’t risk their status automatically if their employer revoked the sponsorship”.

Thiemann added: “What we see a lot of in the care sector is that people aren’t willing to come forward even if they are experiencing severe labour abuse because they are not sure that they can find another sponsor within the timeframe that the Home Office gives them to do so. So they’re more afraid of losing their job and having to go back home and having all this debt they have incurred than they are of continuing with the exploitation they are experiencing.”

She said it needed to be easier for workers to change employers, so that moving jobs was “an actual possibility”, adding: “It cannot stay in this hypothetical state because otherwise workers are just too vulnerable.”

One man who came to Britain from the Philippines under a care worker visa in 2022 said he often had to work 12-hour shifts without breaks looking after residents with dementia for minimum wage. The man, 30, who previously worked as a teacher, said he paid more than £3,000 for flights for him and his wife to come at less than two weeks’ notice and was still paying his sister back for the flight.

He told the Guardian: “Everything just goes on whatever you’re paying for and nothing is left. I tried my luck here but right now I have more debt than before and I’ve been here a year and a half.”

He said he was also being charged almost £300a month in unclear fees from the agents who brought him to Britain. “They say it’s for processing of our visas, but in my opinion they’re trying to get money from us,” he said.

He had been expecting accommodation to be included with the job but had to rent a room in a shared house with his wife and new baby, which uses up most of his income. “I came here to give my family a good chance of living and provide for them and it’s a scary feeling to be in this spot.

“Some of my colleagues had to pay job-finding fees of thousands of pounds to get here … I’m continuously looking for another job. My colleagues even sold land and cars back home just to come here. I need to be strong for my kid and my wife but it’s very stressful.”

Care worker visas have also come under criticism from the former chief inspector of borders and immigration, whose inspection of immigration in the care sector was published this week. In his foreword, David Neal wrote that the Home Office had used a visa model based on one for highly skilled workers sponsored by multinationals and “applied it to a high-risk area – migration into an atomised and poorly paid sector”.

Neal noted: “Its control measures to mitigate the risk were totally inadequate. There is just one compliance officer for every 1,600 employers licensed to sponsor migrant workers.”

The seasonal worker visa has faced similar criticism and was rolled out before a pilot of the plan was reviewed. The report noted that the Home Office continued to expand the scheme despite strong evidence of worker exploitation and mistreatment.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We do not tolerate illegal activity in the labour market and will always take decisive action where we believe abusive practices are taking place. To address concerns about abuse within the health and care worker sector, providers in England are now only able to sponsor migrant workers if they are undertaking activities regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

“The seasonal workers route has been running for four years and each year improvements have been made to stop exploitation and clamp down on poor working conditions while people are in the UK.”

• Modern slavery
• Home Office
• Workers' rights

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• Visas and immigration
• Work in the UK

Investor visa (Tier 1)

You can no longer apply for a new Tier 1 (Investor) visa.

If you already have a Tier 1 (Investor) visa

If you already have this visa (or had one in the last 12 months and it was your most recent visa), you can still apply:

• to settle in the UK (indefinite leave to remain)
• to extend your visa for 2 years
• for family members to join you

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