United States visa

United States visa from UK,
handled with confidence.

Expert assistance with your United States visa application, from document preparation to appointment support.

For people living in the UK whose passport needs a visa for United States. British citizens usually don’t; see who needs one below.

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  • Expert guidance
  • Secure document handling
  • Appointment support

United States visa assistance · B1/B2 visitor visa · UK based support

The Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan skyline at dusk
New York, USA
United StatesVisitor visa

Application support

  1. Documents
  2. Interview
  3. Decision

United States visa at a glance

Checked against official sources · Rules can change

  • The right visa depends on why you’re travelling. Choose your purpose below to see an overview.

    Visa type

    B1/B2 visitor visa

  • Processing times can vary depending on season and application volume. *Indicative figure.

    Typical processing

    Varies by case*

  • Interview appointments are scheduled through the official system, which sets its own availability.

    Appointment

    Interview

  • Indicative sample pricing for Flyinbird’s service. Government fees are separate.

    Flyinbird support

    From £99

  • Issued asEmbassy visaIssued through the embassy or its official visa application centre.
  • EntryMultiple*Typical for a tourist visa. The embassy decides the visa you receive, and it can differ by nationality.
  • Max stayUp to 6 months*The embassy issues the visa, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) decides how long you may stay, at the border when you arrive. That permitted stay is recorded in your I-94 admission record. A visa’s validity and the length of each permitted stay are different things.
  • Currency$ US dollar
  • LanguageEnglish

Application overview

  1. Documents
  2. Interview
  3. Assessment
  4. Decision

Processing times and appointment availability can vary.

Service packages

Choose your level of support.

Every package is handled by the same expert team. Pick the amount of help that suits you.

Flyinbird Start

Appointment assistance

For confident applicants who want a steady hand around the appointment.

From£199

  • Appointment guidance
  • Basic preparation support
  • Process information
Explore package

Flyinbird Advance

Start for £99

End to end visa assistance

For applicants who’d like one team beside them from first question to decision.

From£299

Start with just £99 today, pay the rest later

  • Application preparation
  • Document support
  • Application review
  • Appointment assistance
  • Travel insurance
  • Progress guidance
Start application

Flyinbird Prepare

Application & document assistance

For applicants who want their paperwork prepared and checked properly.

From£99

  • Document checklist
  • Application assistance
  • Document review
  • Appointment guidance
Explore package

Applying from the UK

United States visa: the official route.

Who needs one, what it costs and how long it takes. Checked against official sources on 30 Sep 2026.

Who needs this visa

  • You live in the UK and your passport isn’t in the Visa Waiver Program, for example an Indian, Pakistani, Nigerian or Chinese passport.
  • Visa Waiver nationals who can’t use ESTA, for instance because of a previous refusal or travel to certain countries.
  • Your trip is for tourism, visiting family or short business: the B1/B2 visitor visa.

Who usually doesn’t

  • British citizens and other Visa Waiver Program nationals visiting for up to 90 days, who apply online for an ESTA instead.
  • Canadian citizens, who generally don’t need a visa to visit.

Your UK residence and nationality

  • US visas for UK residents are handled by the U.S. Embassy in London and the Consulate General in Belfast.
  • You’ll be asked about your UK status and ties at the interview, so bring your eVisa share code or residence permit.
  • Your nationality can affect the visa’s validity and whether you pay an extra issuance fee.

What it costs

Visa application fee (official)
About £140 (US$185)Set in US dollars, so the pound figure is approximate. Paid before booking. Not refunded if the visa is refused.
Other official fees
Depend on nationalitySome nationalities also pay an issuance fee if approved. Check the State Department’s fee list.
Flyinbird service fee
From £99 per traveller£99 document help, £199 appointment help or £299 full support. Full support can start with a £99 deposit.

Two different waits

Getting an appointment

Interview waits in London change week to week. The State Department publishes a current estimate for each embassy.

Processing after you apply

Many applicants hear at the end of the interview. Some cases go through administrative processing, which has no set timescale. Passport return by courier adds a few more days.

Official sources

Always check the official pages before you apply. They take priority over this guide.

Visa types

What are you travelling to United States for?

Choose your travel purpose to see the relevant visa information.

Tourist · United States

For holidays, sightseeing and short leisure trips to United States on a B1/B2 visitor visa.

Get help with this visa

Typically suited for

  • Holidays and city breaks
  • Sightseeing and touring
  • Short leisure stays

Documents often requested

  • Travel itinerary
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Proof of funds
  • Evidence of ties to home

An overview only. Your consultant confirms what applies to your trip.

Not sure which visa applies to you?

Answer 3 quick questions and we’ll help you understand which category fits your trip.

Why Flyinbird

United States applications, without the guesswork.

From documents to appointments, our team helps you understand each stage of the application.

  1. 01

    Document guidance

    Understand the documents relevant to your application.

  2. 02

    Application review

    Review your application before submission.

  3. 03

    Appointment assistance

    Support through the appointment process.

  4. 04

    Application tracking

    Stay informed throughout the process.

Your United States visa journey

Six steps.
One clear path.

Every application follows a similar route. We move through it with you, so you always know what’s done, what’s next and what we need from you.

A hand tracing a route on a world map beside a passport, camera and coffee
Start with step one

  1. Step 01

    Tell us about your trip

    Share your destination, dates and travel purpose.

  2. Step 02

    Get your checklist

    Receive the documents relevant to your application.

  3. Step 03

    Prepare your application

    Complete the online application and gather your documents.

  4. Step 04

    Expert review

    Our team reviews the application and documents before it’s lodged.

  5. Step 05

    Interview

    Attend your appointment at the embassy or consulate.

  6. Step 06

    Track your application

    Follow the application through to the decision.

Document checklist

What you’ll typically need
for your application.

The official checklist from the United States authorities or their application centre always takes priority. This list shows what’s commonly asked for; your consultant adds what applies to you.

Get my personalised checklist

Everyone

8 documents

  • Valid passportGenerally valid for six months beyond the intended stay, unless a nationality-specific exemption applies
  • Proof of UK residenceYour eVisa share code or residence permit
  • Digital photographTo the required specification
  • Travel plansItinerary and accommodation
  • Bank statementsUsually the last 3 to 6 months
  • Previous passports and visasIf you have them
  • DS-160 confirmation page
  • Interview appointment confirmation

Interview & processing

From application to interview.

  1. Application preparation

    The online form completed and details checked for consistency.

    We help

  2. Document review

    Your supporting documents organised and checked against your checklist.

    We help

  3. Fee and appointment

    The visa fee paid and your interview appointment scheduled.

    We help

  4. Interview

    You attend the embassy or consulate; fingerprints are usually taken there.

    Handled by authorities

  5. Assessment

    The consular officer assesses your application.

    Handled by authorities

  6. Decision

    The authorities decide the outcome and return your passport.

    Handled by authorities

How we help

Interview assistance

Interviews are scheduled through the official appointment system, which sets its own availability. We help you reach that day organised and prepared.

  • Appointment guidanceHow scheduling works, and what to expect on the day.
  • Interview preparationThe questions commonly asked, and how to answer them clearly.
  • Document organisationYour file in a clear, logical order.
  • Application progress guidanceWhat each status update means.

Flyinbird doesn’t control interview availability or visa decisions. Slots are released by the embassy or consulate and can vary by season and location.

Speak to an expert

Before you apply

Avoid the
common mistakes.

Most application problems are avoidable. These are the ones we see most often, and how we help you steer clear of them.

  1. 01

    Incomplete documentation

    A single missing document can delay an application or raise questions about it.

    We check your file against the official checklist before you submit.

  2. 02

    Incorrect travel dates

    Dates that don’t line up across bookings, insurance and the form are easy to miss.

    We cross check dates across every document.

  3. 03

    Information inconsistencies

    Names, addresses or employment details that differ from one document to the next.

    We review your details for consistency, line by line.

  4. 04

    Missing supporting evidence

    A form on its own doesn’t always explain your circumstances or purpose of travel.

    We help you identify evidence that supports your trip.

  5. 05

    Poorly prepared application

    A disorganised file is harder to assess, however strong the application behind it.

    We help you present everything clearly and in order.

Good to know

United States visa
frequently asked questions.

Still have a question? Our team can talk through your trip and your circumstances.

Speak to an expert

Your passport and eligibility decide, not your UK residence. Eligible Visa Waiver Program travellers, including many British citizens, use ESTA for short visits. Others need a visitor visa. A UK visa or residence permit does not automatically make you eligible for ESTA.

You should normally apply in your country of nationality or residence. If you live in the UK, check the current instructions for the US mission handling your application and be ready to show your UK status. The right category for a holiday or family visit is usually B-2 or B1/B2.

Start with your passport, DS-160 confirmation, photo and any required payment receipt. You may also need evidence of your travel purpose, finances and reasons to return after the visit. Follow the embassy’s checklist; an invitation from someone in the US does not replace your own eligibility.

There are separate waits for the interview, the decision and passport return. Appointment availability changes, and some applications need administrative processing. Check the current embassy wait estimate before planning your dates. Do not assume the visa is ready to use just because an interview is booked.

Expect questions about why you are travelling, how long you plan to stay, who pays and your circumstances outside the US. Give clear, honest answers that match your DS-160. Preparation means understanding your own application, rather than memorising a script.

The State Department lists a US$185 application fee for a visitor visa. Other official charges may apply, including nationality-based issuance fees, so check the current total for your case. Flyinbird’s support fee is separate. The application fee is not a payment for guaranteed approval.

No. Visa validity is the period when you can use it to seek entry. The border officer decides how long you may stay on each visit; check your admission record. The validity offered also depends on nationality and the visa decision, so not everyone receives ten years.

The US authorities advise against buying tickets or making final travel plans before you have the visa. You can explain a proposed trip without committing to non-refundable flights. Leave room for passport return and any extra processing.

The next step depends on the refusal ground. For a 214(b) refusal, a new application is most useful when relevant circumstances have changed. Other cases may need documents or further processing rather than an immediate new application. Check the notice and official instructions before paying again.

Yes. We can help organise your documents, prepare the DS-160 and explain what to expect at the interview. You must check the information is accurate and provide honest answers. The consular officer makes the decision, and we cannot guarantee approval.

All visa guides

United States visa

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United States visa?

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