I Have A British Passport

[Suetheramble]

do I need a visa to visit California? Thank you

[Tilly2]

No but you do need an ESTA.

[Tilly2]

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

[Flonska]

Here is the latest Government Foreign Office Information:-

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa

Hope it helps answer your questions.

[Suetheramble]

Many thanks

[DTCwordfan]

You need a visa for Cornwall now.

I control who enters and who doesn't.

Rydhsys rag Kernow lemmyn !

[KARL]

In effect ESTA is a visa by another name - you cannot even check in for a flight to the USA without their approval in advance. Americans do not need any such equivalent to visit a multitude of countries - I believe all non-USA nationals except Canadians need the ESTA visa to visit the USA.

[Tilly2]

If you are going to Canada you need an ETA.

[Flonska]

Rydhsys rag Kernow lemmyn?

That's an anagram of:- "Wryly Remands Gym Honkers!"

[Buenchico]

As has been indicated, an ESTA will suffice for many people.

However if you're ever been arrested (even if totally innocent) or convicted of any offence you're supposed to apply for a visa.

If you've actually been convicted of an offence you're ineligible for a visa. If that offence was one of 'moral turpitude', which could simply be nicking a Mars bar from a shop, US law prohibits the authorities from issuing you with a visa. You can appeal against but to do so typically takes over a year.