British nationals travel to the US for a number of reasons. They might simply want to visit relatives and tour the US, or they may be looking for work and have plans to reside there permanently. Whatever the reason, all immigrants have one thing in common: they all need a US visa in order to enter the country.

There are different classifications of visas available at US embassies and consulates, and they are grouped under two main divisions: immigrant and non-immigrant visas. Immigrant visas are for people who plan to seek permanent residence in the United States. All visas under this category require the applicant to have someone to sponsor them, be it a relative or a potential employer. The sponsor must also submit proof, stating that they have the financial capacity to fund the applicant’s stay in the US. Common visa types under these are family visas and certain work visas. The second visa category is the non-immigrant visa, which is comprised of mostly temporary visas. These are for people who stay in the US for a limited time, either to seek medical treatment, to take care of a work-related task, or to finish their education. Non-immigrant visas include student, business, and tourist visas.

An applicant must schedule an appointment with the consulate or undergo a walk-in application process at the local US embassy. Appointments at the consulate can be done through mail, telephone, and even online. Each type of visa application has its own set of requirements and accompanying charges. Processing usually takes four weeks, and accepting or rejecting the application is at the visa officer’s sole discretion, even if an applicant has submitted the needed documents.