The rules and regulations around entry to the United Kingdom for foreign nationals (including American citizens) are governed by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). Unlike the United States of America, the United Kingdom does not operate a ‘visa waiver programme’ and as such everyone who enters the UK (and who doesn’t have right of abode in the UK) will require a visa in order to stay in the UK.
The United States however, is included as one of the UK’s ‘designated countries’ and as such in many instances American citizens coming to the UK in a tourist or business visitor capacity will simply be able to apply for a visa upon arrival in the UK.
The UK has very precise definitions of tourism and business. American citizens seeking to enter the UK in any other capacity such as an intern (paid or unpaid), student, prospective student, spouse/fiancé/partner, parent, charity worker/religious worker, or American citizens coming to the UK to work (either paid or unpaid) or to marry, and all dependents in the preceding categories, are required to obtain UK entry clearance prior to entering the UK regardless of the duration of their stay.
Entry to the UK as a Tourist
UK Tourist Visas allow American citizens to enter the UK without the need for some of the more formal routes of immigration. Tourist visas are valid for any period of time up to a maximum of 6 months. To visit the UK in a tourist capacity you must be able to show that:
- you intend to visit the UK for no more than six months; and
- you have enough money to support yourself and live in the UK without working or needing any help from public 1funds.
Entry to the UK as Business Visitor
American business people seeking to come to the UK for short periods of time in order to carry out business related activities may be eligible to enter the UK as a Business Visitor. American citizens seeking to visit the UK as a Business Visitor should:
- be based abroad and not intend to transfer their base to the UK, even temporarily; and
- receive their salary from abroad, although it is acceptable for them to receive reasonable travel and subsistence expenses whilst in the UK; and
- not be involved in selling goods or services direct to members of the public; and
- not be replacing someone in the UK, including for temporary leave periods; and
- not be coming to the UK to do work placements or internships.
Entry to the UK for the Purpose of Marriage/Civil Partnership
If you are entering the UK for the purpose of marriage or forming a civil partnership, please see the following section of our site: ‘UK Partner Visas for American Citizens’.
Entry to the UK for the Purpose of Employment and Work
If you are entering the UK for the purpose of seeking employment or taking up work in the UK, you can find out more by visiting the section of our site titled ‘UK Work Visas for American Citizens’.
Entry to the UK for the purpose of study
If you are entering the UK for the purpose of study please see the section of our site titled ‘US Citizens and Studying in the UK'.
Routes for Settlement in the UK as a US Citizen
There are several UK visa categories that can lead to settlement in the UK for an American citizen. These include:
- Unmarried Partner visa
- Spouse visa
- Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa
- Tier 1 Investor visa
- Tier 2 Work Permit
- Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer
All of the above visa categories can lead towards Indefinite Leave to Remain - an immigration status that is granted to a person who does not hold right of abode in the UK, but who has been admitted to the UK without any time limit on their stay and who is free to seek and take up employment or study in the UK without any restrictions.
Identify Cards for American citizens
Under the provisions of the Immigration (Biometric Registration) Regulations 2008, the UKBA also has begun mandatory issuance of identity cards to American citizens who apply for an extension of their stay in the United Kingdom as students or as the husbands, wives, or partners of permanent residents. Detailed information regarding UK identity cards for foreign nationals is available here.
FAQs
Your application for a Standard Visitor visa should be made no earlier than 3 months before you intend to enter the UK, and it will generally take no more than 3 weeks for the visa application to be processed and a decision made after your appointment.
How difficult is it to get an UK visa? ›
How hard is it to get a UK tourist visa? It's not hard as long as you fulfill the requirements. You need to show that you have the finances to fund your trip and that you will return to your home country at the end of your trip. Also a brief outline of where you plan to stay.
What questions do they ask when applying for UK visa? ›
Following are few of the common questions asked during the Visa Interview:
- Why do you want to visit the UK? ...
- What is the duration of your stay in the UK? ...
- Who is covering your expenses? ...
- Have you been to the UK before? ...
- Do you intend to work in the UK? ...
- Do you have relatives/friends in the UK? ...
- What do you do?
For entry clearance applications submitted from outside the UK, the Home Office aims to process non-settlement applications within 15 working days (3 weeks) and settlement applications within 120 working days (24 weeks) under standard processing times.
How much is the UK visa fee in the USA? ›
Standard Visitor visa - for UK, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey
| Visa types | Visa application fee (USD) |
|---|
| Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) | 588 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) | 1050 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) | 1312 |
| Visiting academic - more than 6 months up to 12 months | 272 |
5 more rowsCommon Reasons for UK Visitor Visa Refusal
- Applicant's Lack of Funds.
- Lack of Ties to Home Country.
- Insufficient Evidence of Purpose.
- Criminal Record.
- Previous UK Visa Refusal.
- Submission of False Information.
- Health Grounds.
Did you know that the minimum rejection rate of UK visa applications is around 15%?
What is the fastest way to get a UK visa? ›
Using the priority service
Using the 'priority service' means you'll usually get a decision within 5 working days. Using the priority service usually takes up to 30 working days for Family visa applications from outside the UK if you're applying as a: partner or spouse. parent.
Do you go for interview when applying for UK visa? ›
If you've applied for a visa to visit, live, work, or study in the UK, you will first have to do an interview as part of the application process. This would require you, as the applicant, to make an appointment at a UK visa Application Centre in the country you have applied in.
How to pass an UK visa interview? ›
To help with this part of the interview, consider the following tips.
- Dress professionally. A visa interview is like a job interview. ...
- Greet the visa officer and introduce yourself. ...
- Listen carefully and answer clearly. ...
- Feel free to let the interviewer know if you're struggling. ...
- Be honest. ...
- Be real; do not exaggerate.
The interview is nothing to be concerned about - all you have to do is be confident, honest, and tell the truth. However, it helps to be as prepared as possible. During your interview, you will be asked a series of questions.
What not to do when applying for an UK visa? ›
Not Disclosing Relevant Information
Information that is worrisome but relevant for the visa authorities such as previous visa rejection details, criminal offences against the applicant, etc., should be compulsorily disclosed to avoid visa rejection and refusal.
What makes a UK visa application not straightforward? ›
It is likely that you have submitted a variety of documents with your applications, often including bank statements and other official documents from 3rd parties. If there is any difficulty with the verification of these documents, UKVI will require additional time to verify their legitimacy.
How do you know if your UK visa application was successful? ›
The visa decision email will have been sent to you via a gov.uk email account and will be sent to the email address you used as part of your visa application. It notifies you via email that your Student Route visa application has been successful.
How long does it take for the UK visa to be approved? ›
If you apply outside the UK using the standard service, your application may be processed faster (3 weeks) than for those applying in the UK using the standard service (8 weeks). If you would like to receive a faster decision, you can pay extra for the priority or super priority service.
How fast can you get a UK visa? ›
The UK visitor visa usually takes between 15 and 20 working days to determine if all of your information is correct and the application is completed properly.
Do US citizens need a visa for the UK? ›
Unlike the United States of America, the United Kingdom does not operate a 'visa waiver programme' and as such everyone who enters the UK (and who doesn't have right of abode in the UK) will require a visa in order to stay in the UK.
Do US citizens need a visa for the UK in 2024? ›
By the end of 2024, people who do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom will need to have an electronic travel authorisation, or ETA, before they visit. These 'non-visa nationals', including EU and US citizens, can currently travel to the UK without a visa if visiting for up to six months.
