USA
Warnings and insurance
This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Heatwave in USA
Extreme temperatures are affecting many areas of the USA. Read our guidance on extreme weather in the USA and NHS advice on coping in hot weather.
Tropical Storm Hilary in Southwest USA
Tropical storm conditions are possible from Sunday 20 August in parts of Southwest USA, as a result of Hurricane Hilary. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Southern California.
You should closely monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities and the tour operator, including any evacuation orders.
See the tropical cyclones page for advice about how to prepare for travel during hurricane season and what to do ahead of a storm.
In the aftermath of a hurricane, there can be flooding, high winds and continued rainfall. See the tropical cyclones page for further advice on what to expect in the aftermath of a hurricane.
Wildfires in Maui, Hawaii
Wildfires are affecting a number of areas of Maui County in Hawaii. Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly.
Visit the Maui County Alert Center website and Facebook page for up-to-date information from the local government including details on evacuation areas.
If you are travelling to an area affected by wildfires
If you are due to travel to an area that might be affected by wildfires, consult official local advice and contact your travel operator or accommodation provider before you travel to check that it is not currently impacted. Make sure you have appropriate insurance.
If you are in or near areas affected by wildfires
Be cautious if you are in or near an area affected by wildfires. You should:
- Follow the guidance of the emergency services
- Call the US Emergency Services on 911 if you are in immediate danger
- Contact your airline or travel operator who can assist you with return travel to the UK.
If you need consular assistance
If you are a British national in Hawaii in need of consular assistance, please contact +1 (310) 789 0031 and press 2.
For concerned family and friends, call our 24-hour helpline on +44 20 7008 5000.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:
- advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
- information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
Update history
2024-12-05 16:43
Additional information on ESTA requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-10-16 09:51
Removal of information on Hurricane Milton (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page).
2024-10-11 10:58
Updated information on Hurricane Milton (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page).
2024-10-09 20:30
New information on Hurricane Milton (“Warnings and insurance” page and “Safety and security”)
2024-10-08 10:55
New information on Hurricane Milton (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-09-30 16:07
Updated information about flight disruptions (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-08-07 16:37
Information that the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that there is a very high likelihood of an “above-normal Atlantic hurricane season” in 2024 (See ‘Hurricanes’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-04-10 15:44
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.
2024-04-09 10:37
Removal of information on solar eclipse (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-08 10:31
Information on solar eclipse (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-05 18:21
Information on Earthquakes (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-08 16:41
Information on Winter storms (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-16 14:09
Removal of information on storms in Southern California (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-02-06 00:17
Latest update: Information on storms in Southern California (see “Warnings and insurance”).
2023-12-22 13:31
Information on Arctic travel (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-11-28 11:19
Removal of information about an explosion on Rainbow bridge connecting Canada and the USA on 22 November.
2023-11-22 20:38
Latest update: Details of an explosion on the Rainbow Bridge connecting the USA and Canada (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-30 16:23
Removal of information on an active shooter in Maine (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-26 13:36
Information on an active shooter in Maine (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-09-05 10:04
Removal of information on Hurricane Idalia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-31 18:18
Latest update: Information on Hurricane Idalia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-30 18:16
Latest update:Information on Hurricane Idalia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-29 10:40
Information on tropical storm Idalia (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-25 14:53
Removal of information on tropical storm Hilary (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-18 23:57
Information on tropical storm Hilary in Southwest USA (under ‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-08-10 21:42
Update to phone number to call for consular assistance (Summary)
2023-08-10 02:58
Addition of information about wildfires in Hawaii (Warnings and Insurance)
2023-08-02 15:50
Information on International Driving Permit requirements in the USA and that requirements may vary by State (under ‘Licenses and permits’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-20 11:25
Information on extreme temperatures currently affecting parts of the USA (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-13 11:22
Information following the recent floods in Vermont (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-06-30 16:12
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-22 10:53
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-08 22:27
Additional information on the poor air quality across parts of the East Coast of the USA (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-01 16:45
Additional information about children and young people aged 17 and under travelling to the USA (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-05-24 12:22
Updated information on entry requirements for travellers to the USA who have previously travelled to or been in Cuba any time since 1 January 2021 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-05-12 11:48
Updated information on COVID-19 vaccine requirements for air travellers into the USA ending from the 12 May 2023 (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2023-05-11 16:24
Updated information that from 12 May 2023 COVID-19 vaccine requirements for air travellers to the USA will end. You will not need to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19, those traveling before 12 May must follow the current vaccination requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-03-11 00:29
Removal of information about additional entry requirements if travelling from China, Hong Kong and Macau (Entry requirements)
2023-02-01 22:19
Updated information on protests across the USA (‘Summary’ page).
2023-01-27 21:44
Addition of information on the potential for an increased level of protests across the USA (‘Summary’).
2023-01-16 10:38
Removal of information on grounded US domestic flights due to an issue with US flight control systems (‘Summary’ page).
2023-01-12 23:11
Updated information on US domestic airline departures due to flight control systems. (See ‘Summary’)
2023-01-12 23:05
Updated information on US domestic airline departures due to flight control systems. (See ‘Summary’)
2023-01-11 14:54
Addition of information that domestic departures may be affected by an issue with US flight control systems (‘Summary’ page).
2022-12-30 23:59
From 5 January 2023, new requirements for travelling to the USA from China, Hong Kong or Macao begin. (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-12-20 10:43
Removed information on a statement made by US authorities on a threat to synagogues in New Jersey (‘Summary’ page).
2022-11-04 10:36
Updated information that US authorities issued a statement on 3 November warning of a credible threat to synagogues in New Jersey. You should take security precautions where appropriate and follow the advice of local authorities. (‘Summary’ page).
2022-10-19 10:58
New information on enhanced screening for Ebola (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-10-10 17:00
Removal of information on Hurricane Ian (Summary Page)
2022-10-07 16:37
Updated information on travelling to the USA after you’ve been to Cuba (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-09-30 18:00
Hurricane Ian is due to hit Georgia and South Carolina on Friday evening (Summary)
2022-09-28 16:28
Updated information on Hurricane Ian (a category 4 hurricane and is strengthening steadily) for the Fort Myers and Tampa Bay areas of western Florida and If you live in these coastal areas you should have already left for safer areas inland. (‘Summary’ page).
2022-09-26 18:43
Information about Hurricane Ian reaching the Florida coast (‘Summary’ page)
2022-08-18 15:14
Addition of information about Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on what to do if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-07-07 16:42
Update to remove information on shooting incident in Highland Park, Illinois (‘Summary’ page) and remove information about Hurricanes Irma and Maria (‘Natural Disasters’ page)
2022-07-04 21:40
Updated information following a shooting incident in Highland Park, Illinois (“Summary” page).
2022-06-22 19:04
Updated information on COVID-19 entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-06-10 18:58
Updated information on Entry Requirements. From 05:01 BST on Sunday 12th June 2022, passengers boarding flights bound to the USA will no longer require a pre-departure COVID-19 test. (‘Summary’ and ‘Entry Requirements’ pages).
2022-06-10 15:40
Removal of information on the requirement for masks to be worn on public transport, as this has been lifted
2022-04-14 08:20
Removal of information relating to incident at 36th Street Subway Station in New York City on Tuesday 12 April.
2022-04-12 19:34
Updated advice on the incident at 39th street Subway in New York City.
2022-04-12 16:55
Information added on reports of a firearms incident on the New York Subway at 36th street Metro station in Sunset Park on 12 April; the incident is ongoing and you should avoid the area around 36th street station (see ‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2022-04-05 16:51
updated information in the All Travellers section about who should not attempt to travel on an ESTA (‘Entry Requirements’ page)
2022-03-17 14:16
Review and amendments of ‘Summary’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages