The US Customs and Border Protection process doesn't have to be stressful. In fact, if you know what to expect and you've done a bit of preparation, it's really quite straightforward. Here's everything you need to know.
Before You Depart
You should always check out the official UK government travel advice website for the most up-to-date entry requirements. The rules do change from time to time which could catch you off-guard. For example, you cannot apply for an ESTA visa waiver if you travelled to or were in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021.
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Valid Passport
This might seem obvious, but you need a valid passport. Your passport needs to be valid for the duration of your stay. Unlike some countries, the US does not require six months' validity beyond your travel dates - but it must not expire while you're there. Check it now.
ESTA
An ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) is mandatory for most British tourists visiting the US. The exceptions include travellers who hold a valid US visa, have dual US nationality, or hold nationality of a country not covered by the Visa Waiver Programme. If none of those apply to you, you need an ESTA. If you've ever been arrested (even without conviction), have a criminal record, or have previously been refused entry to the US, you cannot use ESTA - you will need to apply for a visa.
Apply at least 72 hours before travel. Although most are approved within minutes, it can and does take longer. If yours is denied, you'll need to apply for a visa instead - which is a whole other process that takes days or weeks. We strongly advise you submit your ESTA application before even booking your holiday, though we appreciate most people don't.
An ESTA currently costs $40 per traveller and must be applied for online. It takes around 10 minutes to complete and is valid for two years. Apply only via the official US government website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Do not, under any circumstances, use one of the many third-party websites that charge you double and add a "processing fee" for the privilege of filling in a form on your behalf. Not only that, if they make a mistake, it's you that will that will be responsible, not them.
Printed Copies
Take printed copies of everything. Your passports, your ESTAs, your travel insurance, your hotel or villa booking confirmation, and your return flight details. You may be asked to show evidence of your accommodation and onward travel, and depending on the officer, they may not allow you to use your phone at the booth.
Landing At The US Airport
Face The Queue
After you get off the plane, follow the signs to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Depending on your airport and terminal, this could be a short walk or something that feels considerably longer than a loop around World Showcase Lagoon. Orlando, being the Disney gateway it is, is fairly well set up.
Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control (MPC)
If you travel to the US regularly, it's worth knowing about two programmes that can speed up the border process considerably.
Global Entry is a trusted traveller programme that allows pre-approved travellers to bypass the standard queue and use dedicated kiosks. It requires a background check and an interview, and costs $120 for five years. As a British citizen you are eligible to apply, though the process takes time, so it's not something you can sort last minute.
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Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free app available to eligible travellers - including some visa waiver visitors - that allows you to submit your passport and customs declaration digitally before reaching the officer. This can significantly cut your wait time at certain airports. Check the US Customs and Border Protection website for the latest details on eligibility.
The CBP Officer
This is the bit people panic about unnecessarily. You'll approach a booth, hand over your passport, and be asked a few questions. The officer will also take your fingerprints (all four fingers and your thumb, both hands) and a photo, if you're not already on file.
What The Officer May Ask You
No two officers are quite the same. Some will be thorough and serious, others more casual - there's no way to know until you get there, so it's best to be prepared for every possible question. Keep answers as short as possible, but don't volunteer information unnecessarily. If they need more information, they'll ask for it. Have answers - and any relevant evidence - ready for the following:
- What is the purpose of your visit? - Stick with something simple and natural like "holiday" or "vacation". Some guides tell you to say "tourism" but nobody really talks like that, and you don't want to sound like you've rehearsed from a script.
- How long are you staying? - Be honest, and have your return flight dates in mind so you can answer without hesitation.
- Where will you be staying? - Don't overthink this. If you have multiple stays, just tell them where you're going first.
- What is the address? - This one catches people out. On one trip, we were staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and said as much, but the officer wanted the full street address. Luckily we had the printed confirmation to hand. Don't assume a hotel name will be enough.
- Do you have a return flight booked? - If the answer isn't yes, you may find yourself in a difficult conversation.
- Who are you travelling with? - Mention anyone you're travelling with, including those not physically present at the booth with you.
- What do you do for work? - Answer honestly. They want to establish you're here on holiday, not looking for work.
- How much cash do you have on you? - No, they're not asking for a bribe. You cannot bring more than $10,000 in cash into the US without declaring it, so make sure you know roughly how much you're carrying.
How To Treat The Officer
CBP officers are federal law enforcement. They have a great deal of power, and they're not always in the mood for banter having processed hundreds of people already that day. Treat them accordingly.
- Be polite and answer clearly - A simple "hello, how are you" goes a long way.
- Do not make jokes - Especially anything that could be read as suspicious. American border humour is not a genre that exists.
- Put your phone away - Do not be on your phone when you approach the booth. It's rude and often strictly prohibited.
- Do not lie - People lie about the silliest things out of nerves. Honesty is genuinely the best policy here.
- Don't ramble - Answer what's asked, nothing more. Remain calm and concise.
- If you didn't hear the question, say so - "Could you repeat that please?" is perfectly acceptable. Guessing and getting it wrong is not.
Common Mistakes British Tourists Make
- Getting nervous for no reason - The officer is not trying to catch you out if you're an ordinary tourist with nothing to hide. Treat it like a slightly officious passport check and you'll be absolutely fine.
- Not having hotel details to hand - "I've got it in my email somewhere" while frantically unlocking your phone is not a good look. Print it, or at the very least write it down before you land.
- Oversharing - "I'm here for two weeks, well, nearly - we arrive on the 6th but fly back on the 20th, though we were thinking of maybe extending but we haven't confirmed, and my brother was supposed to come but he couldn't get the time off..." Stop. They don't need or want your life story.
- Assuming your ESTA guarantees entry - An ESTA gives you authorisation to travel to the US and board a flight. The CBP officer at the border makes the final call on whether you're actually allowed in. They can turn you away even with a valid ESTA (as unlikely as that is).
What Happens if You're Denied Entry?
It's very, very rare for straightforward tourists to be denied entry, but it does happen. Common reasons include:
- Previous overstays or immigration violations
- A criminal record not disclosed on the ESTA
- The officer has concerns about the purpose or length of your visit
- Issues with your documentation
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What Happens If You're Pulled For a Secondary Inspection?
Being sent to secondary screening does not mean you're being denied entry. It means someone wants to ask a few more questions or check something further. Stay calm, be cooperative, answer honestly, and don't volunteer unnecessary information. The vast majority of secondary inspections end with the person being admitted without issue. Do not argue, raise your voice, or demand your rights loudly. You are not on British turf, and US CBP officers have broad authority at the border. Cooperation is absolutely your best strategy.
In rare cases where the officer suspects something, they may ask to see your phone. You are not legally obligated to hand it over, but it's worth knowing that refusing makes a difficult situation considerably harder - and approval for entry significantly less likely. CBP officers have always had the authority to inspect you and your belongings without a warrant - that's nothing new. Phone searches and secondary inspections have been making headlines lately, but this isn't new. It's been this way since smartphones became a thing. The headlines are louder, not the rules.
A Few Final Tips
- Have your documents ready before you reach the booth - Passport, ESTA confirmation, hotel details, return flight information. Don't be that person rummaging through their carry-on at the booth.
- Bring your travel insurance documents - Don't be smug about the NHS when you're 5,000 miles away from it.
- Keep your cool in the queue - If you're rude to another passenger or causing a scene while waiting, CBP officers will notice long before you reach the booth. Everyone is tired and just wants to get through - stay calm and collected.
To Summarise
Apply for your ESTA in advance, have your hotel details ready, be polite and brief with the officer, and don't make jokes. That's genuinely it.
There's plenty of scaremongering in the news about stricter border controls, and while yes, the US is clamping down on illegal immigration, as regular British tourists the process is no different to how it's always been. Millions of British visitors pass through US customs every single year without incident.
Do your preparation, keep your wits about you, and you'll be standing in the Florida sunshine before you know it - ready to hand over the remainder of your savings to the big cheese himself.
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