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Visa Requirements for UK Citizens

ESTA, eTA, and Mexico tourist card requirements for UK passport holders travelling to the 2026 international football tournament.

Entry Requirements for UK Passport Holders

You'll need different documentation depending on which host country you're visiting. Here's the breakdown for British passport holders.

United States — ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)

Required for: All UK citizens visiting the USA for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program.

How to apply:

  1. Go to the official ESTA website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov
  2. Complete the online application (takes ~20 minutes)
  3. Pay the $21 fee (as of 2026)
  4. Most applications are approved within 72 hours

Important details:

  • Valid for 2 years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first)
  • Allows multiple entries — you don't need a new ESTA for each trip
  • Must be approved before you board your flight
  • If you have certain criminal convictions or have previously been denied entry, you may need a full visa instead

Warning: Only use the official .gov website. Third-party sites charge inflated fees for the same application.

Canada — eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Required for: UK citizens flying to Canada. Not required if entering by land or sea.

How to apply:

  1. Visit the official Government of Canada eTA site: canada.ca/eta
  2. Complete the online form (takes ~10 minutes)
  3. Pay CAD $7 (~£4)
  4. Usually approved within minutes

Important details:

  • Valid for 5 years or until your passport expires
  • Allows stays of up to 6 months
  • Linked electronically to your passport — no printout needed

Mexico — No Visa Required

UK citizens do not need a visa for Mexico for tourist stays of up to 180 days.

What you need:

  • A valid UK passport (must be valid for the duration of your stay)
  • A Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM) — this is a simple tourist card, usually distributed on your flight or available at the airport immigration desk
  • Some airlines now offer digital FMM completion before arrival

No fee for tourist entry.

Multi-Country Travel Tips

If you're following your team across matches in different countries, here's what to know:

  1. USA → Canada: Your ESTA covers the USA. You'll need a separate eTA for Canada if flying. If crossing by land (e.g., driving from Seattle to Vancouver), no eTA is needed — just your passport
  2. USA → Mexico: Your ESTA covers entry/exit to the USA. Mexico entry is visa-free for UK citizens
  3. Get all authorizations before you leave the UK — ESTA and eTA are quick online processes, but don't leave them to the last minute

Passport Requirements

  • USA: Passport must be valid for the duration of your stay (no minimum validity beyond trip dates for UK passports under the VWP)
  • Canada: Passport must be valid for the duration of your stay
  • Mexico: Passport must be valid for the duration of your stay

Recommendation: If your passport expires within 6 months of your travel dates, renew it before booking. Some airlines may refuse boarding with a nearly-expired passport even if the destination country doesn't require extended validity.

Travel Insurance

Essential for the USA. US healthcare costs are extremely high — a simple hospital visit can cost thousands of pounds. UK EHIC/GHIC cards are not valid in the USA, Canada, or Mexico.

Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers:

  • Medical expenses (minimum £1 million for the USA)
  • Repatriation
  • Trip cancellation
  • Personal belongings
  • Match ticket coverage (if available)

Purchase insurance as soon as you book your flights to be covered for cancellations.