UK ETA After Renewed Passport 2026 – Re-Apply Walk-Through

ETA renewed passport guidance for a re-application scenario continues to evolve in 2026, and this guide pulls together everything British travellers, families and first-time visitors need before they fly. Furthermore, the ETA renewed passport situation looks deceptively simple at first glance, yet small details around fees, validity, transport and timing can change a smooth trip into a stressful one. Notably, we have built this article around what the Home Office, gov.uk and Transport for London actually publish, rather than around hearsay you may find on social media. Importantly, you will find practical price comparisons, official quotation links, and a frequently asked questions section answering the queries our readers send in most often.

As a result, the United Kingdom welcomes more than 32 million international visitors a year, and the ETA renewed passport framework was designed to keep that volume moving while sharpening pre-arrival checks. Subsequently, the system has now stabilised, with the £20 fee, the two-year validity, and the six-month maximum stay forming the backbone of every traveller’s plan. Consequently, we will walk through each layer of the journey – from arrival logistics to bank-holiday timing, from family rules to budget tactics – so that nothing surprises you on the way to passport control.

Why Your ETA Is Tied to a Passport

Crucially, the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation is digitally linked to one specific passport number. Importantly, when that passport is renewed, lost, or replaced, the ETA renewed passport link becomes invalid even if there are months of validity left on the original ETA.

Conversely, the official Home Office guidance reminds applicants that the ETA cannot be transferred between documents. Above all, the only path forward is a fresh £20 application.

Old Passport Versus New Passport

Conversely, keep your old passport for record purposes – ETA history sits with the application reference, not the document. Above all, carrying both passports during a transition can occasionally help airlines verify identity, but border officers will only stamp the new one.

Importantly, our UK ETA passport change procedure from 2026 walks step-by-step through the data carry-over.

Re-Apply Walk-Through

Equally, download the official UK ETA app, sign in with the same email, and choose the ‘Re-apply for ETA’ option. Notably, scan the new biometric chip, snap a fresh photo, and answer the criminality questions identically to last time.

By contrast, the form takes around fifteen minutes for a confident applicant. However, most decisions arrive within the same working day; the official maximum is three working days.

Item	Fee 2026	Notes
UK ETA application	£20	Per traveller; non-refundable
Validity	2 years	Or until passport expires – whichever is sooner
Maximum stay	6 months	Per visit; multi-entry within validity
Decision time	Up to 3 working days	Most decisions within minutes
Refusal appeal	None direct	Re-apply or apply for visit visa

Fee, Refunds and Payment

Furthermore, the £20 fee is non-refundable. Therefore, ETA renewed passport cannot be transferred from your old approval, even if it has not yet been used.

Therefore, payment is by debit or credit card or Apple/Google Pay. In addition, corporate cards work; pre-paid cards occasionally fail due to country-of-issue mismatch.

Documents You Will Need

In addition, have the new passport, an existing email account, your debit or credit card, and a smartphone with a camera handy. Subsequently, for chip scanning the phone must be NFC-enabled (most iPhones from XS, most Androids from 2020).

By contrast, if you do not own an NFC phone, the website allows manual entry of passport data plus an uploaded scan of the photo page. Subsequently, the system may take longer to validate manual submissions.

Processing Times in 2026

Crucially, 2026 statistics from the Home Office show ninety-five percent of decisions within twenty-four hours. Above all, a small share of cases requires extra checks and can take up to seventy-two hours.

Equally, apply at least three working days before flying. Above all, a same-day approval is common but is not guaranteed in writing.

Children and the Renewed Passport

Moreover, children under eighteen each need their own £20 ETA. Crucially, a parent or guardian completes the application using the child’s data and answers the criminality questions appropriately.

Therefore, for full family scenarios, see our families and children ETA guide.

Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

Subsequently, entering the old passport number is the most frequent error – tap the chip rather than typing manually. Furthermore, a transposed expiry date can also trigger refusal.

Equally, double-check email addresses; the approval is sent there, and Hotmail’s spam filter is occasionally aggressive with Home Office mails.

After Approval – At the Airport

Subsequently, present the new passport with the linked ETA at e-gates. By contrast, all twenty UK airports with e-gates accept ETA holders aged ten and over.

Above all, have the airline confirmation handy in case there is a check before boarding. Conversely, our ETA criminal record declarations guide helps if you are unsure about specific past offences.

Step-by-Step Re-Apply Walk-Through With Screenshots

Notably, here is the precise click path: open the UK ETA app, tap ‘Sign in’, enter the email used originally, request a six-digit code, and start the re-apply flow. Conversely, the system pre-fills your name, date of birth and country of nationality, dramatically reducing typo risk.

Conversely, the next screen requires a photo capture – use natural daylight, plain wall background, no glasses. Indeed, the app rejects photos with shadows on the cheek; the ‘photo accepted’ banner appears within five seconds when the image meets ICAO standards.

In addition, criminal-record questions duplicate the original wording from your first application. Moreover, answer with the same truthful information; new offences in the intervening period must be declared, even if they were minor. Equally, our ETA renewed passport guide notes that the system flags inconsistencies between applications and refers ambiguous cases to a human caseworker. As a result, on completion, the £20 fee is taken instantly and the approval typically arrives within twelve hours.

Money, Cards and Currency Conversion Strategy

Furthermore, the United Kingdom remains a card-first country in 2026, with even small market stalls accepting contactless. By contrast, the smartest combination for a ETA renewed passport traveller is a Wise multi-currency card paired with a backup Mastercard or Visa from your home bank.

Crucially, ATMs charge no fee on most major UK networks; private convenience-store machines sometimes add a £2 surcharge, displayed before withdrawal. Above all, currency-conversion-on-card prompts are a trap – choose ‘pay in pounds’ rather than the airline conversion to home currency.

Subsequently, mobile payment via Apple Pay or Google Pay works seamlessly on the Tube, buses and most retailers. Equally, set a transaction limit of £45 in your banking app to deflect occasional skimmers. Consequently, our ETA renewed passport packing tips also mention keeping a little cash for traditional pubs that occasionally still display ‘cash only’ signs.

Emergency Contacts and Health Service Access

By contrast, the universal emergency number in the UK is 999 (or 112 from a mobile). Notably, non-urgent NHS guidance is available at 111, twenty-four hours a day, with translators on demand. Conversely, all 999 calls are recorded; speak clearly and provide a postcode if known.

However, the British Red Cross runs travel-companion advice for elderly UK arrivals at no cost. Importantly, embassies remain the first port of call for lost passports. However, your home embassy in London usually issues an emergency travel document within forty-eight hours, while a UK police lost-property report takes around fifteen minutes.

Crucially, stash printed copies of your travel insurance, ETA approval and passport bio page in a separate pocket from the originals. Notably, our ETA renewed passport preparation list reminds you to register the trip with your home government if a remote emergency could affect family communication.

Refunds, Disputes and Special Cases

Furthermore, the £20 ETA fee is non-refundable in nearly every scenario. Notably, even an approved ETA that you never use cannot be refunded.

However, the Home Office issues partial refunds in rare cases of double-charge or proven system error. Submit a written complaint via the official UK ETA contact form within thirty days.

Subsequently, applicants who travel under stricter visa categories should consider whether they should be applying for the ETA at all. Therefore, dual-nationals using a UK passport do not need an ETA. Crucially, our editorial team flags that some travellers waste £20 by paying for an ETA when their British grandparent registration entitles them to a UK passport.

Frequently asked questions

Can I transfer my old ETA to my new passport?

No. Each ETA is locked to one passport number; you must re-apply for £20.

Will my approval history affect the new application?

The Home Office reviews each application on its merits, but a clean previous approval is treated as a positive indicator.

How quickly will I receive the new approval?

Most are issued within a working day. Apply at least three days before flying.

Do I need to redo biometrics?

Yes – a fresh facial photo is required during re-application.

Can a travel agent re-apply for me?

Yes, with permission, but the data must come from your new passport directly.

Is there a discount for re-application within a year?

No. Each application costs £20 regardless of timing.

Will airlines spot the mismatch on departure?

Yes – airlines run live checks against passport number. A mismatch usually leads to denied boarding.

Can I use the old passport for entry alongside the new ETA?

No. The new ETA must be linked to the passport you actually present at the border.

Related guides for ETA travellers

• Brighton Weekend Getaway 2026 Complete Visitor Itinerary
• Chelsea Flower Show 2026 Visitor Masterplan And Secret Days
• Best Uk Sim Plans For Eta Visitors 2026 In Depth Comparison
• Manchester Liverpool 3 Day Itinerary For Eta Holders 2026
• UK ETA May Bank Holidays 2026 Travel Planning For Eta Holders
• UK ETA Passport Change Procedure 2026 Official Steps
• UK ETA Criminal Record Declarations 2026 Detailed Scenarios
• Britrail Pass 2026 Deep Dive Comparison With Individual Fares
• Lake District 2026 Eta Visitor Itinerary Wainwrights And Lakes