UK ETA & Passport Renewal 2026: What You Need to Do

Got a new passport recently? Or planning to renew yours before your UK trip? If you already hold a UK ETA approved on your old document, you’ll need to know exactly what happens — and what to do before you can travel.

This guide explains the rules around UK ETA plus passport renewal in 2026, what to do when the booklet expires or gets replaced, and how to avoid being stranded at the airport with the wrong papers.

The HM Passport Office handles all UK passport renewals, while the UK Visas and Immigration department manages the ETA system. Understanding how these two processes interact is essential for uninterrupted UK travel.

Key Takeaways

• A UK ETA is tied to one specific passport number — it cannot be moved to a replacement document
• If you renew a passport, you must obtain a fresh UK ETA before travelling
• The ETA also lapses when the booklet it is attached to expires
• Requesting a replacement authorisation for a renewed passport is fast and costs £20
• The UK does NOT require 6-month passport validity beyond your stay — just validity for the stay itself

UK ETA and Passport Validity: What You Need to Know

Unlike many countries that require your passport to be valid for 6 months beyond your planned stay, the UK only requires your passport to be valid for the duration of your visit. This is good news for travellers with passports that expire soon after their trip.

Key fact: The UK ETA costs £20 per application, is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, and allows unlimited visits of up to 6 months each. Citizens from 48 eligible countries must obtain an ETA before travelling (Source: GOV.UK).

However, there’s an important caveat: your ETA will expire when the passport does. The authorisation is electronically bound to your exact passport number, and once that document is no longer valid, the permit attached to it stops working too.

What Happens to My ETA When I Renew My Passport?

When you renew a passport (whether due to expiry, a name change, damage, or simply needing more pages), you receive a fresh booklet carrying a different number. Your existing UK ETA, registered against the old number, becomes invalid for travel.

You will need to submit a completely fresh authorisation tied to that new number. No transfer process exists — you start again from scratch.

Will I Get Approval as Fast as Before?

Yes, in most cases. A repeat request against a renewed document runs through the same automated system. If your background hasn’t changed since the previous approval, the fresh application should clear quickly — usually within minutes.

Before You Renew Your Passport: Planning Tips

If you’re considering renewing your passport and have upcoming UK travel, plan your timing carefully:

1. Check your current ETA expiry — if it’s still valid and your passport is not yet expired, you can delay renewal until after your UK trip
2. If renewing before your UK trip — request a fresh authorisation the moment your replacement booklet arrives
3. File that ETA at least 72 hours before travel — ideally several weeks in advance
4. Keep your old passport accessible — some countries need to see your previous visa history

Specific Scenarios: What to Do

Scenario 1: My Passport Expires During My UK Stay

Your ETA (and your right to remain in the UK) depends on passport validity. Should the document lapse while you are in the country, your permission to remain technically ends with it. Always travel on a passport valid for your entire stay.

If expiry is near, renew before travelling, then arrange a fresh authorisation against the new booklet.

Scenario 2: I Renewed My Passport and Have an Upcoming UK Trip

Register a fresh UK ETA straight away using your renewed passport details. Use the official GOV.UK ETA service or our application service at VisaETA. Once approved, you’re ready to travel.

Scenario 3: I Changed My Name (Married/Divorce)

If you have changed your name and received a replacement passport, you need a fresh UK ETA matched to it. That booklet carries a different number and your updated name, making it a separate record from the earlier permit.

Scenario 4: My Passport Was Lost or Stolen

Should your passport (and the ETA bound to it) be lost or stolen, report it to your embassy and obtain emergency travel documents. Once a replacement booklet arrives, get a replacement UK ETA before travelling.

How Long Does It Take to Get a New ETA After Passport Renewal?

Most ETA applications are processed within minutes. Renew the booklet and file the request the same day, and you may hold approval within an hour. For a complete breakdown of processing times, see How Long Does UK ETA Take in 2026.

Passport Validity Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	UK Rule
Minimum validity for entry	Valid for duration of stay
6 months beyond stay required?	No
ETA validity period	2 years or passport expiry (whichever sooner)
ETA transfer to new passport	Not possible — new application required
Cost of new ETA	£20 per person

Step-by-Step: Passport Renewal and ETA Process

When your passport is about to expire and you have an upcoming UK trip, here is the recommended sequence of actions:

1. Check Your Passport Expiry Date

Before anything else, verify when your current passport expires. The UK requires your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay, though there is no minimum validity requirement beyond your departure date. However, some airlines enforce their own rules requiring at least six months of passport validity, so check with your carrier.

2. Renew Your Passport First

If your passport will expire before or during your planned UK trip, renew it before starting your ETA application. Passport renewal timelines vary by country — some nations process renewals in as little as one week, while others may take 6–10 weeks. Emergency or expedited services are available in most countries at an additional cost. Plan accordingly and do not wait until the last minute.

3. Apply for a New UK ETA

Once your replacement passport arrives, start the UK ETA immediately. The form requires that new document number, and the authorisation will be digitally tied to it. The process usually takes only a few minutes online, and most applications are approved within hours. The fee is £20 per person.

4. Verify Everything Before Travel

Before heading to the airport, double-check that your ETA confirmation shows the correct passport number. Any mismatch between the authorisation and the document you present at check-in means denied boarding. Take a screenshot of the approval email as backup.

Common Passport Renewal Scenarios and Their ETA Impact

Different situations require different approaches when managing your passport renewal alongside your UK ETA:

Passport Expires Before Your Trip

This is the most straightforward scenario. Renew the document, then file for a fresh permit. Your earlier authorisation is automatically voided once the connected passport expires. No method exists to shift an ETA from an expired booklet onto a replacement — a brand-new application is always required.

Passport Expires During Your UK Stay

Should the booklet lapse while you are in the UK, renew it before travelling. Although the UK does not require additional validity beyond your departure date, keeping a valid document throughout the visit avoids potential complications. Some hotels and car rental agencies also ask for one as identification.

Emergency Passport Situations

Lost or stolen passport before a planned UK trip? Contact your country’s nearest embassy or consulate immediately. Most nations issue emergency travel documents within 24–48 hours. With that in hand, you can request a UK ETA — the system accepts emergency passports from most eligible countries. Still, confirm with UKVI whether your specific emergency document type qualifies for ETA applications.

Name Change Due to Marriage or Legal Reasons

If you have changed your name since obtaining your current passport and ETA, you will need both a replacement passport in your updated name and a fresh permit. The authorisation must match the name on the document you travel with. Sort the passport first, then the ETA, to keep everything consistent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel with both my old and new passport?

Yes — carrying both can be handy, since the previous booklet may hold visas for other countries you’ve visited. For UK entry, though, you MUST present the passport that matches your ETA. Airlines also verify the passport/ETA pairing at check-in.

My UK ETA is approved on my old passport which is still technically valid — can I still use it?

If that older passport remains valid (not expired), the ETA attached to it stays valid too. You can keep using it for UK travel until either the document or the permit runs out. But if you’re already travelling on your renewed passport for other trips, arrange another ETA for it.

Do I need to cancel my old ETA when I get a new passport?

No — UK ETAs have no cancellation process. The earlier permit simply becomes unusable once the previous passport is no longer valid or in use. Nothing is needed beyond obtaining a fresh authorisation for your replacement document.

How much does a new ETA cost after passport renewal?

The same as any other ETA application: £20 per person as of February 2026. The fact that you previously had an approved ETA does not entitle you to a free renewal. Each application requires the standard fee.

After renewing your passport and obtaining a new ETA, learn how to check your UK ETA status to confirm everything is in order.

Travelling with family? Remember that children also need their own UK ETA linked to their own passport.

Dual citizens should read our guide on which passport to use when renewing one of their travel documents.

Need an ETA quickly after your passport renewal? Check our urgent UK ETA guide for fast-track tips.

For comprehensive trip planning after your passport renewal, visit Visit Britain for the latest travel resources and destination guides.

Official Sources & References

1. UK Government — Electronic Travel Authorisation
2. UK Government — Renew Your Passport
3. UK Government — Get a Child Passport
4. UK Government — View and Prove Immigration Status
5. Visit Britain — Plan Your Trip

Key Reminders for UK ETA and Passport Renewal

To summarise the most important points for managing your ETA alongside a passport renewal:

• ETAs cannot be transferred — every replacement passport demands a fresh ETA application. No exceptions or workarounds exist.
• Renew first, apply second — always have the new booklet in hand before submitting your ETA request to avoid wasting the £20 fee.
• Allow buffer time — Factor in passport processing delays, especially during summer and holiday seasons when demand is highest.
• Keep records — Save all confirmation emails and note which passport number each ETA is linked to, particularly if you are a frequent traveller.
• Check airline requirements — Some airlines require six months passport validity. Verify before booking even if the UK itself only requires validity for your stay duration.

Conclusion

Managing your UK ETA alongside a passport renewal takes a little planning but is straightforward once you understand the process. The key principle is simple: the permit is bound to one specific passport number, so any change of document means starting again. Renew first, then file promptly afterwards, and you ensure uninterrupted access to the UK for tourism, business, or transit purposes.

The rules for 2026 are simple: the authorisation always sits with one specific booklet, and when that document is replaced, another application is needed. The process is fast, affordable at £20, and usually completed within minutes.

Plan ahead, file as soon as your replacement passport arrives, and you’ll have no issues at check-in or the UK border.

Apply for your new ETA at VisaETA or through the official UK ETA service on GOV.UK.