Flights booked, accommodation sorted and Florida sunshine on the horizon? Before you start packing, there’s one important bit of travel admin to take care of: your ESTA.
Most eligible British citizens travelling to Florida for a holiday will need an approved ESTA before entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.
If you’re unsure what an ESTA is, how much it costs or when you need to apply, we’ve covered the key Florida entry requirements for UK travellers below.
What Is an ESTA?
ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It’s an online system used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine whether travellers are eligible to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
An ESTA isn’t a visa. Instead, it allows eligible travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries, including qualifying British citizens, to travel to the United States for tourism, business or transit without obtaining a visitor visa, provided their trip meets the relevant requirements.
Under the Visa Waiver Program, eligible visits can last for up to 90 days.
An approved ESTA allows you to travel to a U.S. port of entry, but it doesn’t guarantee admission. The final decision on entry is made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Do UK Travellers Need an ESTA for Florida?
In most cases, yes. British citizens travelling to Florida for a holiday under the Visa Waiver Program will need an approved ESTA before travelling.
To use the Visa Waiver Program, British travellers must meet the eligibility requirements. The U.S. Department of State specifies that British citizens must have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
You’ll also need a suitable e-passport and your trip must meet the conditions of the Visa Waiver Program.
For a typical holiday to Florida lasting less than 90 days, an ESTA will usually be the relevant travel authorisation for an eligible British citizen who doesn’t already hold an appropriate U.S. visa.
Do Children Need an ESTA for Florida?
Yes. Children travelling under the Visa Waiver Program need their own approved ESTA, regardless of age.
That includes babies and young children. Each traveller also needs their own passport.
Parents or another third party can complete an ESTA application on behalf of a child, so it’s worth checking the whole family’s travel documents together before your trip.
Do Canadians Need an ESTA to Visit Florida?
Canadian citizens travelling with a Canadian passport generally don’t need an ESTA to visit the United States.
Canadian visitors can usually enter the U.S. without a visitor visa as well, although entry requirements still apply. Canadian government guidance states that Canadian visitors can usually stay in the United States for up to six months without a visa, with the permitted duration determined when entering the country.
There’s an important distinction between Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents.
Living in Canada or holding Canadian permanent resident status doesn’t automatically give you the same U.S. entry rules as a Canadian citizen. A Canadian permanent resident travelling on a passport issued by another country may need an ESTA or a U.S. visa depending on their citizenship and circumstances.
If you’re a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country and travelling using that country’s eligible passport, ESTA requirements may apply.
Always check your individual circumstances before travelling.
How Long Can You Stay in Florida With an ESTA?
Travel under the Visa Waiver Program generally allows eligible visitors to stay in the United States for up to 90 days.
That 90-day limit applies to your stay in the United States rather than Florida alone.
It’s particularly important to understand the limit if you’re planning a longer winter escape. A three or four-week break on the Gulf Coast will sit comfortably within it, but a longer snowbird stay could require different immigration arrangements.
Trips to Canada, Mexico or certain nearby islands during your U.S. visit also don’t necessarily reset the 90-day clock. U.S. guidance states that travellers readmitted under the Visa Waiver Program after a short trip to one of these destinations will generally only have the remainder of their original 90-day period.
How Long Does an ESTA Last?
An approved ESTA will generally remain valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
You can usually make multiple trips to the United States during that period without submitting a new ESTA application each time, provided the authorisation remains valid and you continue to meet the requirements.
The two-year validity doesn’t mean you can stay in the United States for two years. Individual trips under the Visa Waiver Program remain limited to 90 days or less.
You’ll generally need a new ESTA if:
- you receive a new passport
- you change your name
- your country of citizenship changes
- your previous ESTA expires
- your answers to certain ESTA eligibility questions change
Getting a new passport is particularly easy to overlook. Your ESTA is linked to the passport used when you applied, so a valid-looking ESTA attached to an old passport won’t cover travel on your new one.
How Much Does an ESTA Cost?
As of September 2026, the official ESTA website lists the application fee as $40.27 USD.
Fees can change, so check the official U.S. government website when you apply rather than relying on an older travel article or social media post.
You may also come across third-party websites offering to submit an ESTA application on your behalf and charging additional service fees. You don’t need to use one.
The official application is available directly through U.S. Customs and Border Protection:
Official ESTA Application Website
When Should You Apply for an ESTA Before Your Florida Holiday?
Don’t leave your ESTA until you’re standing in the airport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends applying when you make your travel plans, and guidance for Visa Waiver Program travellers recommends allowing at least 72 hours before travel.
Applying early also gives you time to deal with any problems before your departure date.
If you already have an ESTA from a previous U.S. trip, check its status before travelling and make sure it’s still linked to your current passport.
What Do You Need to Apply for an ESTA?
You’ll need information including your valid Visa Waiver Program passport, email address, home address, phone number and emergency contact details.
The official ESTA application may also ask for information about your employment and your U.S. point of contact or accommodation.
Current ESTA applications also require a traveller selfie photo.
Take your time when entering passport information. Incorrect passport details can cause problems and certain changes will require you to submit a new application.
Does an ESTA Cover Travel to Florida by Air, Sea and Land?
Yes. Eligible Visa Waiver Program travellers need an approved ESTA when entering the United States by air or sea, and ESTA requirements also apply at U.S. land borders.
The land-border rule can be useful to know if your holiday combines Canada and Florida or forms part of a wider North American trip.
Canadian citizens travelling on Canadian passports remain subject to separate rules and generally don’t need an ESTA.
Do You Need an ESTA if You’re Only Changing Flights in the USA?
Yes, if you’re an eligible Visa Waiver Program traveller.
An ESTA is required even if the United States is only a transit point on your journey and you aren’t staying there for a holiday.
For example, a British traveller connecting through a U.S. airport before continuing to another country will generally need an ESTA or appropriate visa.
When Might You Need a US Visa Instead of an ESTA?
Not every traveller will qualify for the Visa Waiver Program.
You may need to investigate a U.S. visa if you aren’t eligible for ESTA travel, want to stay for longer than 90 days or your reason for travelling falls outside permitted Visa Waiver Program activities.
Previous travel can affect eligibility too. Under current U.S. rules, certain Visa Waiver Program nationals who have been present in countries including Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011 may no longer be eligible to use the VWP, subject to limited exceptions.
Separate restrictions apply to travellers who have visited or been present in Cuba on or after 12 January 2021.
Previous immigration issues, visa refusals, overstays, arrests or criminal records can also affect your circumstances.
If you’re unsure about your eligibility, check the official U.S. government guidance rather than assuming an ESTA will cover your trip.
Does Your Passport Need Six Months Left to Travel to Florida?
For British citizens travelling on a full British citizen passport, current UK government guidance states that your passport needs to be valid for the length of your planned stay in the United States.
You should still check any countries you’ll travel through on your way to or from Florida, as their passport validity rules may be different.
Your passport also needs to meet the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program if you plan to travel using an ESTA.
Can an ESTA Be Refused?
Yes. An ESTA application can be denied. If your application isn’t approved, you may need to apply for a U.S. non-immigrant visa if you still intend to travel.
An ESTA approval also isn’t the same as permission to enter the country. U.S. Customs and Border Protection makes the final admission decision when you arrive.
That’s another good reason to sort out your travel authorisation well before your departure date.
ESTA for Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ESTA to go to Florida from the UK?
Most eligible British citizens visiting Florida under the Visa Waiver Program will need an approved ESTA before travelling.
How long can I stay in Florida with an ESTA?
Travel under the Visa Waiver Program allows eligible visitors to stay in the United States for up to 90 days.
How long is an ESTA valid?
Usually two years or until the passport linked to it expires, whichever comes first.
Do I need an ESTA if I already have a valid U.S. visa?
No. Travellers entering using an appropriate valid U.S. visa don’t also need an ESTA.
Do I need to print my ESTA?
Your ESTA is electronically linked to your passport. It’s still sensible to keep your application number and confirmation accessible while travelling.
Get the Travel Admin Sorted, Then Start Planning Florida
Once your ESTA or other entry requirements are sorted, you can get back to the exciting part of planning your trip: deciding what you’ll do when you arrive.
St. Pete Beach gives you a laid-back base on Florida’s Gulf Coast, with miles of coastline, warm weather and plenty to explore around St. Petersburg and the wider Tampa Bay area.
Check out our luxury apartment in St Pete Beach today. Got a question? Talk to us.
Entry requirements can change and individual circumstances vary. Information in this guide was checked against U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of State, GOV.UK and Government of Canada guidance in September 2026. Always check official government guidance before travelling.
