British citizens moving to United States of America
UK nationals are eligible for the E-2 Investor Treaty visa (unlimited renewals, typically $100k+ active business investment). H-1B, L-1 intra-company, and O-1 routes are widely used. ESTA visa-waiver covers short-term tourism/business.
Notable: The UK has both E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor eligibility with the US.
Tourist entry
Yes. British nationals can enter United States of America without a visa for tourism, typically up to 90 days. This does not confer the right to work, study long-term, or establish residence.
Treaty & bilateral memberships
- US E-1/E-2 Treaty
Consular processing: London (US Embassy) / Belfast
Treaty and bilateral routes
These routes are available to British applicants under specific bilateral agreements.
Routes with nationality-specific notes
L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Executive or Manager)
Intracompany transfer for executives or managers moving to a US office of a related multinational employer.
UK-based executives at US-affiliated companies commonly use L-1A for 1-year new-office or 3-year established-office transfers. Blanket L petitions (for qualifying multinational groups) eliminate the USCIS adjudication bottleneck at the consular stage.
O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, athletics (O-1A) or the arts/film/television (O-1B).
UK applicants in the arts (O-1B), academia, and entertainment industries are a substantial O-1 cohort. Consulate processing at London is generally efficient; consular officers focus on the petitioning employer/agent's credibility and the specific engagements listed.
All United States of America routes
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Employer-sponsored non-immigrant visa for specialty occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.
L-1B Intracompany Transferee (Specialised Knowledge)
Intracompany transfer for employees with specialised knowledge of the employer’s products, services, or processes.
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (Immigrant)
Employment-based first-preference green card for individuals with extraordinary ability — self-petitionable.
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
Second-preference green card with a waiver of the job offer and PERM labor certification, where the beneficiary’s work is in the US national interest.
EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers
Third-preference employment-based green card requiring employer sponsorship and PERM labor certification.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Permanent residence through investment in a new US commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs.
F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT)
Non-immigrant student visa for academic study at a SEVP-certified institution, with post-study OPT employment authorisation.
J-1 Exchange Visitor
Exchange visitor visa covering academic scholars, students, trainees, interns, researchers, au pairs, and other exchange programs.
TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico)
Non-immigrant work visa under USMCA for Canadian and Mexican citizens in listed professions.
K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen
Non-immigrant visa allowing the fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the US to marry within 90 days and then apply for a green card.
Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A)
Permanent residence for the spouse of a US citizen (IR1/CR1) or lawful permanent resident (F2A preference).
Frequently asked questions
Can British citizens enter United States of America without a visa?
Yes. British nationals can enter United States of America without a visa for tourism, typically up to 90 days. This does not confer the right to work, study long-term, or establish residence.
Which United States of America visa routes are best suited to British applicants?
Treaty routes (E-2 Treaty Investor) apply specifically to British nationals. Common general routes used by British applicants include L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Executive or Manager), O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement. UK nationals are eligible for the E-2 Investor Treaty visa (unlimited renewals, typically $100k+ active business investment). H-1B, L-1 intra-company, and O-1 routes are widely used. ESTA visa-waiver covers short-term tourism/business.
Where do British applicants typically apply for a United States of America visa?
Applications are typically processed at London (US Embassy) / Belfast. Some digital and in-country applications can be filed directly with United States of America's immigration authority without a consular visit.