A transit in the USA is only allowed if you possess an ESTA, a visa or an American or Canadian passport. You are already checked for these permits when you check in for your flight to the USA, based on your passport number.
ESTA: easier than a visa
An ESTA is easier to apply for than a visa. A visa application requires an appointment at the US embassy. The costs for a visa are also higher. In contrast, the application procedure for an ESTA takes place online, and can be run through quickly and easily. This makes an ESTA the most obvious choice for a transit in the USA.
Apply for your transit ESTA nowAn ESTA is valid for multiple transfers
The validity of an ESTA is two years unless the passport with which it was applied for expires before that. This makes it possible to use the same ESTA multiple times for a transfer or transit in the USA. You only need to fill in a single date of arrival on the application form. Regardless, it is not necessary and indeed not even possible to provide additional or changed dates of arrival. A new application only needs to be submitted if either the ESTA or the passport to which it is linked expires.
Many travellers journeying from Europe to the American continent make a transfer in the USA
A transit ESTA is also valid for other travel purposes
In the application form, you are asked if you are only travelling to the USA for a transit. If you answer "Yes", you do not need to fill in the details of an accommodation in the USA. However, if approved, you will still receive the exact same travel authorisation as if you filled in that you are in fact staying in the USA. This means that even with an ESTA that was specifically applied for to make a transfer, you can still stay in the United States of America for 90 consecutive days for a holiday or business trip. Each trip does need to meet the requirements set to usage of an ESTA.
Can I leave the airport during my transit?
Based on the above, it can be concluded that UK and EU citizens are allowed leave the airport during a transfer in the USA. The ESTA is after all valid for a stay of up to 90 days. However, keep in mind that your airline and the airport where you will be making the transit can set additional limitations. If you want to be absolutely sure you can leave the airport during your transit, you are advised to check this with the airline.
An ESTA is also required for transit
Sometimes, confusion arises between the terms transfer and transit. A transfer refers to a passenger switching planes at the airport to continue their trip. During a transit, you land in the USA and wait inside or outside the aeroplane before proceeding to your final destination in the same plane. An ESTA, visa or American passport is required for a transfer and a transit.
e-Visa.co.uk is a commercial and professional visa agency, and supports travellers in obtaining, among others, the ESTA USA. e-Visa.co.uk acts as an intermediary and is in no way part of any government. You can also apply for an ESTA directly with the immigration service (21 USD per ESTA, via esta.cbp.dhs.gov). However, not with our level of support. If you submit your application via e-Visa.co.uk, our support centre is available to you 24/7. In addition, we manually check your application and all the documents you provide before submitting it to the immigration authorities on your behalf. If we suspect any errors or omissions while doing so, we will personally contact you to ensure that your application can still be processed quickly and correctly. To use our services, you pay us 21 USD in consular fees, which we pay to the immigration service on your behalf, as well as £33.28 in service fees as compensation for our services, including VAT. Our services have saved many travellers from major problems during their trip. Should an application be rejected despite our support and verification, we will refund the full purchase price (unless an application for a previous ESTA USA was rejected for the same traveller). Read more about our services here.