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Travel Advice for Mississippi
Passport Information
British citizens travelling to the USA must have a valid passport. If you are travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must hold an eligible e-passport (biometric passport) with an electronic chip. For British citizens, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay in the USA. Each traveller, including children and infants, must have their own passport.
Visa & ESTA Information
British citizens travelling to the USA must obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before travelling to the USA. ESTA is an automated system used by US Customs and Border Protection to determine eligibility to travel under the Visa Waiver Program.
An approved ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA. Admission is ultimately determined by US Customs and Border Protection officers when you arrive.
Not everyone is eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Eligibility can be affected by factors including certain previous travel, nationality, immigration history or other individual circumstances. For example, travellers who have visited or been present in certain countries may not be eligible for ESTA.
Travellers who are not eligible for ESTA will generally need to apply for a US visa before travelling.
Apply for ESTA
Always use the official US government ESTA website when making an application:
Official ESTA Application Website
For the latest information on entry requirements and eligibility, check the UK Government's USA travel advice and the US Department of State's Visa Waiver Program guidance before travelling.
Mobile Passport Control
Eligible travellers may be able to use Mobile Passport Control (MPC) when arriving in the USA. MPC is a free service from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows eligible travellers to submit their passport and customs declaration information via an official mobile app before reaching a participating airport's passport control area.
MPC can help speed up the arrival process, but it does not replace a passport, ESTA or visa where one is required. Eligibility and participating airports can change, so travellers should check the latest information on the official US Customs and Border Protection website before travelling.
Other useful Info...
Electricity – 110/120 volts AC, 60 cycles. Flat, two-pin plugs are used.
Insurance – There is no agreement between the US and the UK for medical or hospital care. There is no equivalent to the National Health Service and medical expenses are very high. Medical insurance is strongly recommended. Anyone renting a car is also urged to take out comprehensive insurance as litigation claims are extremely common in the US and payments are high.
Money – All major credit cards are accepted throughout the US. When hiring a car or booking a hotel an imprint of a credit card is usually taken in advance to cover extras. Travellers cheques in US dollars are recommended. If these are carried, they will be accepted as cash in most restaurants, hotels and shops. It is recommended to arrive in the US with about $100 in cash, including one dollar bills for tipping and paying taxis.
Tipping – In America tipping is a common and expected practice. Suggested tips are 10-20% of the bill for meals in restaurants and the same to taxi drivers. About $1 per bag or suitcase carried by bellboys or porters at hotels or airports is the norm. If going on an escorted tour, check beforehand whether tips are included. If not, the tour guide and others will expect at tip.
