British, Australian, and most Western European travellers do not need a B1/B2 visa to visit the United States for tourism or short business up to 90 days. The Visa Waiver Program covers it via the ESTA — an online electronic authorisation costing USD 21. In 2026, the system stays robust, but small details cause 3% of applications to be refused. This guide shows the real process: online registration, documents to have ready, questions at boarding, and what to do if the ESTA is denied.
18 min read
UK citizens, Australians, and most Western Europeans enter the United States easily in 2026. You do not need a B1/B2 visa, you do not need a consular interview, you do not need to pay USD 185 in MRV fees. You need the ESTA — Electronic System for Travel Authorization — the online authorisation tied to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which has covered the UK since 1989, Australia since 1996, and most of Western Europe since the 1990s-2000s.
What changed in 2024-2026 was a tightening of some restrictions: anyone who travelled to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, or Somalia after March 2011 auto-loses ESTA eligibility. Dual citizenship of those countries also disqualifies. In either case, the path is a traditional B1/B2 visa with interview at the US Embassy (London for UK, Sydney/Melbourne/Perth for Australia).
This guide is what I wish I had read before my first ESTA. No "guaranteed approval" claim — but the process is simple and clear when handled right.
ESTA vs B1/B2: which you need
For 95% of UK and Australian travellers the answer is ESTA. Worth knowing the difference:
| Type | What it covers | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESTA (VWP) | Tourism or short business (up to 90 days) | USD 21 | 2 years, multiple entries |
| B1/B2 | When ESTA does not apply or has been refused | USD 185 + interview | 10 years, multiple entries |
| F1 | Student at school, college, or language course | USD 185 + SEVIS USD 350 | Course duration |
| J1 | Exchange: au pair, academic work, visiting professor | USD 185 + SEVIS USD 220 | Varies by programme |
| H/L/O | Paid work with employer sponsorship | USD 185 + employer costs | 1-3 years renewable |
Important: ESTA does not allow work in the US. B1 covers business without US compensation (meetings, conferences, visiting a factory). B2 covers tourism, family visits, medical treatment. ESTA covers both for trips up to 90 days.
ESTA fee: USD 21 in 2026 and how to pay
The ESTA fee has been USD 21 since May 2022 (up from USD 14). Paid at the time of registration on the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov. In sterling at the May 2026 rate, that is approximately GBP 17. In Australian dollars, around AUD 32.
Accepted payment methods:
- Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
- International debit card (with 3D Secure)
- PayPal (added in 2024)
The fee is non-refundable, even if ESTA is denied. If denied and you then need a B1/B2, you pay an additional USD 185 MRV fee.
The ESTA authorisation expires after 2 years or when your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you renew the passport, you have to file a new ESTA.
About the author
Curadoria Voyspark
2 years in the Voyspark editorial team
Time editorial da Voyspark — escritores, repórteres, fotógrafos e fixers em Lisboa, Tóquio, Nova York, Cidade do México e Marrakech. Coletivo. Sem voz corporativa. Cada peça com checagem cruzada por um editor regional e um chef ou curador local.
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