Last reviewed: June 2026
UK citizens travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program must obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization before departure. For World Cup travel to US host cities, an ESTA is required for every UK passport holder making the journey.
Key points
- UK citizens need an ESTA to enter the USA under the Visa Waiver Program - not a visa.
- ESTA costs 21 USD per application and is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
- Apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov - the sole official US government site. Third-party sites charge higher fees for the identical process.
- ESTA can be refused - if refused you must apply for a B-2 tourist visa at a US Embassy, which takes longer.
- For Canadian host cities: UK citizens need a Canada eTA, not a US ESTA. These are different systems.
- For Mexican host cities: no pre-travel authorisation is required for UK citizens for stays up to 180 days.
What Is an ESTA and Who Needs One?
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization is a pre-travel screening system operated by US Customs and Border Protection as part of the US Visa Waiver Program. The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of eligible countries, including the United Kingdom, to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a traditional visa. In place of a visa, VWP travellers must obtain ESTA authorisation before boarding their flight or ship to the USA.
ESTA is required for every UK passport holder travelling to a US World Cup host city, regardless of age. Children, including infants, require their own ESTA linked to their own individual passport. If a child is travelling on a parent's emergency travel document rather than their own passport, seek guidance from the US Embassy before travel as the rules differ for emergency travel documents.
An approved ESTA is an authorisation to board a carrier to the USA, not a guarantee of entry. A US Customs and Border Protection officer at the US port of entry retains the authority to refuse admission to any traveller, including those with a valid ESTA. Having a valid ESTA simply means you have passed the pre-screening process.
How to Apply: The Official Process
The only official ESTA application portal is esta.cbp.dhs.gov, operated directly by US Customs and Border Protection. This is the sole legitimate US government site for ESTA applications. There is no other official application channel.
A significant number of third-party commercial websites offer ESTA application services at substantially higher fees, typically charging 50 to 100 pounds or more for the same process that costs 21 USD directly through the official site. These sites are not affiliated with the US government. They submit applications on your behalf through the official system and add their own fee margin. The application itself goes to exactly the same US CBP system and the result is identical. Using a third-party site does not improve your chances of approval or speed up processing.
To complete the official ESTA application you need a valid UK biometric passport with a machine-readable chip, your travel itinerary details including destination addresses in the USA, contact information and employment details, answers to eligibility questions covering criminal history, communicable diseases, and prior visa or ESTA refusals, and payment by credit or debit card.
The application typically takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete. Most applications receive a decision within 72 hours. Some applications are placed under further review, which can extend to several days. The US CBP advises applying at least 72 hours before departure, but for World Cup travel where flights cannot easily be rescheduled, applying several weeks in advance provides a much larger safety margin.
Cost and Validity Period
The ESTA fee is set by the US government and is payable at the time of application. As at 2026, the fee is 21 USD per application. Of this, 4 USD covers processing costs and 17 USD funds the Travel Promotion Act fund that finances US tourism promotion internationally. The fee is non-refundable if the application is refused or if you choose not to travel after approval.
An approved ESTA is valid for two years from the date of approval, or until the expiry date of the passport linked to the ESTA, whichever comes first. Within the validity period, an ESTA covers multiple trips to the USA, each for up to 90 consecutive days. You do not need to apply for a new ESTA for each separate trip during the validity period.
If you have already obtained an ESTA for previous US travel and it remains valid and is linked to your current passport, you do not need to apply again for World Cup travel. Check your existing ESTA status at the CBP website using your passport number. If your passport has been renewed or replaced since your previous ESTA was issued, the old ESTA is not valid for the new passport and a new application is required.
If Your ESTA Is Refused
ESTA refusal does not permanently prevent travel to the USA. It means you must apply for a B-2 non-immigrant tourist visa instead of using the Visa Waiver Program. The visa application process is more involved, takes longer, and involves a mandatory interview at a US Embassy or Consulate.
Common reasons for ESTA refusal include prior travel to certain countries within a specified timeframe, certain criminal convictions, previous US visa or ESTA refusals, and certain responses to the health and background eligibility questions. The ESTA system does not explain the specific reason for a refusal in most cases.
If your ESTA is refused, visit the US Embassy in London website at uk.usembassy.gov for guidance on applying for a B-2 tourist visa. The visa application involves completing the DS-160 online form, paying the visa application fee, scheduling and attending an interview, and waiting for visa processing. Processing times vary. For World Cup travel with fixed match dates, a visa refusal followed by a visa application could be a very tight timeline. Apply for your ESTA as early as possible to give maximum time to obtain a visa if needed.
Travelling Between Host Countries
A World Cup spread across the USA, Canada and Mexico means some fans may wish to attend matches in more than one country. Each country has its own entry requirements for UK citizens.
For the United States, a valid ESTA is required as described above. For Canada, UK citizens require a Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization, not the US ESTA. The Canadian eTA is a separate system issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. It costs 7 Canadian dollars and is applied for at canada.ca. The eTA must be linked to your passport before boarding any flight to Canada. It is not required if crossing from the USA into Canada by land or sea at a border crossing.
For Mexico, UK citizens travelling for tourism do not require a visa or any pre-travel electronic authorisation for stays of up to 180 days. On arrival in Mexico you will be issued a Forma Migratoria Multiple, a visitor permit. This document must be kept safely throughout your stay and surrendered when departing Mexico. Losing it can create administrative complications when leaving the country.
If your World Cup itinerary involves travel between all three countries, you need both a US ESTA and a Canadian eTA. Obtain both well in advance of travel. Allow sufficient time at land border crossings between countries as processing times can be longer during major events with high passenger volumes.
Travel Authorisation Is Not a Ticket to Entry
Having a valid ESTA for the USA or eTA for Canada does not guarantee admission at the border. US Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency officers retain discretionary authority to refuse admission. In practice, straightforward tourist travel for a legitimate event such as the World Cup presents no unusual admission risk for the vast majority of UK travellers. However, it is worth being aware that ESTA and eTA are screening authorisations rather than absolute entry entitlements.
At the US port of entry, CBP officers may ask questions about the purpose of your visit, your accommodation, how long you plan to stay, and what financial resources you have available. These are standard questions. Answer them honestly and concisely. Having your match ticket bookings, hotel confirmations, and return flight details available on your phone can assist with any questions about the purpose and duration of your stay.
ESTA and Criminal Records
The ESTA application asks several eligibility questions including whether you have been arrested or convicted of certain criminal offences. The questions are specific and use legal definitions that differ from everyday usage. A caution in the UK, for example, may need to be disclosed as an arrest even if it did not result in a conviction in the formal sense. The US Embassy in London publishes guidance on how UK police records translate to the ESTA eligibility questions. If you have any criminal history, review this guidance carefully before completing the ESTA application to ensure accurate disclosure.
Certain types of conviction result in ESTA ineligibility regardless of how old the offence is. These typically include violent crime convictions and controlled drugs offences. If you fall into an ineligible category, you must apply for a B-2 visa and may be required to demonstrate rehabilitation or obtain a waiver. The US Embassy provides specific guidance for these circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a visa to enter the USA for the World Cup?
No. UK citizens travel under the Visa Waiver Program and need an ESTA, not a traditional visa. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. An ESTA costs 21 USD and is valid for two years. If your ESTA application is refused, you must apply for a B-2 tourist visa through the US Embassy in London.
How long does an ESTA take to process?
Most ESTA applications receive a decision within 72 hours. Some are placed under further review and can take several days. US CBP advises applying at least 72 hours before departure. For World Cup travel where match dates and flights are fixed, apply several weeks in advance.
Can I use an existing ESTA for World Cup travel?
Yes, if it remains valid - within two years of approval and linked to your current passport. Check the validity and passport linkage at the CBP website before making travel arrangements. If you have renewed your passport since the ESTA was issued, you need a new ESTA for the new passport.
Do I need an ESTA for Canada as well as the USA?
No. Canada has its own separate entry authorisation system called the eTA, issued by Canadian immigration authorities. It is a different system from the US ESTA. If your World Cup itinerary includes matches in both US and Canadian host cities, you need both a US ESTA and a Canadian eTA, applied for separately.
What happens if my ESTA is refused close to the tournament?
You must apply for a B-2 tourist visa through the US Embassy in London. The visa application involves an online form, a fee, an interview, and a processing period. If your ESTA is refused close to fixed match dates, contact the US Embassy immediately and explain the circumstances. The Embassy cannot guarantee expedited processing but may be able to advise on options. This is why applying for ESTA early is strongly advisable.
Does ESTA cover the whole World Cup duration?
An ESTA allows stays of up to 90 consecutive days in the USA under the Visa Waiver Program. The World Cup tournament runs for under 40 days. A standard ESTA is therefore sufficient for a tournament-length stay, subject to it remaining valid throughout.
