UK ETA Passport Change Procedure 2026 – Official Steps

passport change UK trips up thousands of ETA holders every year — the ETA stays tied to one specific passport number, and changing passport invalidates it instantly. Indeed, for British travellers and ETA holders planning trips in 2026, the stakes are practical: costs, timings, and bureaucratic steps that sit between the idea of a trip and its reality. The Home Office has published detailed 2026 guidance, which we summarise below alongside our own take drawn from recent visitor feedback.

This guide distils the facts for passport change UK into a calm, step-by-step overview. We cross-checked every point against official policy on gov.uk and, where relevant, Visit Britain. As a result, every figure and rule quoted below reflects the position at the time of writing in April 2026.

Trigger	Must reapply?	Fee	Timing
Passport expired	Yes	£20	48h
Passport lost/stolen	Yes	£20	48h
Name change (married)	Yes	£20	48h
Damaged passport replaced	Yes	£20	48h
New middle name only	Yes	£20	48h

Why the UK passport change UK rule is strict

The UK ETA links to the exact passport number you applied with. Indeed, Home Office systems verify the passport presented at UK border control against the ETA record; a mismatch makes the ETA invalid. Therefore, any passport change requires a new application. Official detail on gov.uk.

This is a security rule, not an administrative one. It mirrors how the US ESTA and Canadian eTA work. Subsequently, budget £20 and 48 hours whenever your passport changes.

Want to dig deeper? Our UK ETA passport renewal guide walks through the renewal side, and the UK ETA fee rises to £20: full breakdown spells out what you actually pay.

What counts as a ‘passport change’

Any new passport booklet triggers a reapplication. That covers expiry-driven renewal, lost passport replacement, damaged passport replacement, emergency travel document, and passport amendments after marriage or gender change.

By contrast, simply renewing a visa inside an existing passport is not a trigger. Consequently, if the booklet number stays the same, the ETA stays valid.

For related reading, see our UK ETA expired passport guidance. Travelling as a group? The UK ETA group travel for families guide helps too.

Passport expiry — typical timeline

The UK ETA runs for 2 years but auto-voids the moment your passport expires. Apply with only 6 months left on your passport, and the ETA dies with it.

Therefore, renew your passport first, then apply for an ETA on the replacement passport. Consequently, the ETA gets the full 2 years.

Two more reads worth a look: UK ETA validity, renewals and passport changes, plus our roundup of the best prepaid UK SIM cards for your trip.

Lost or stolen passport abroad

Importantly, if your passport is stolen on a UK trip, the UK ETA becomes irrelevant for your return home — you apply for an emergency travel document (ETD) at your embassy, fly home, then renew properly. You do not need a UK ETA on the ETD just to travel home.

Specifically, for future UK trips, apply for a new ETA on the new passport. Declare the lost-passport event honestly on the form — rehabilitation language is not needed; Home Office staff understand.

Hold two passports? Read the UK ETA dual citizens passport guide. And for the fun part, browse our UK food and restaurants guide.

Name change — marriage, divorce, legal change

Specifically, upon name change, issue a new passport in the new name, then apply for a new UK ETA. The old one does not transfer. Therefore, budget £20 plus the passport issuance fee in your country.

Equally, same-sex civil partnership and marriage name changes follow identical rules. Consequently, the UK treats all name-change triggers identically.

Before you fly, run through our passport validity checks before UK travel. Heading north? The Edinburgh travel guide for ETA holders is a good start.

Damaged passport replacement

Importantly, a damaged passport must be replaced by your passport authority before UK travel. Airlines refuse boarding on visibly damaged documents. Consequently, allow 4-6 weeks for replacement before re-applying for the ETA.

By contrast, minor wear (bent corners, small stains) is not enough to trigger mandatory replacement. Airline staff use their own judgement on edge cases.

On the money side, see the UK ETA fee rises to £20: full breakdown and the UK ETA £20 fee increase 2026 explainer.

How to apply for the new ETA

Specifically, use the official UK ETA app (iOS/Android) or the Home Office online portal. The form takes about 10 minutes, plus a photo upload. Therefore, apply from the country where the new passport was issued.

Consequently, expect approval within 48 hours. For live processing times, check gov.uk. Save the approval email or a screenshot for airline check-in.

Applying as a group? Start with UK ETA group travel for families. Brazilian passport holders should read UK ETA for Brazilian citizens.

If your trip starts soon and the passport just changed

A new ETA processes within 48 hours about 95% of the time. The ‘Decision Made’ email is your only confirmation — there is no printed card.

By contrast, if the trip is within 24 hours, apply immediately and inform your airline of the pending status. Ultimately, most airlines accept ‘ETA applied, awaiting decision’ for boarding — but not all.

Sorting out your phone? See the best prepaid UK SIM cards guide. To know what to expect on arrival, read UK airports and ETA border check.

Fees and costs in 2026

Specifically, the UK ETA fee rose to £20 in April 2026. Reapply twice in one trip — say an expired passport plus a mid-trip name change — and you pay £40.

There is no refund on the old ETA, because the new one is a completely fresh authorisation. Consequently, budget £20 whenever passport change triggers apply.

For the enjoyable stuff, our UK food and restaurants guide is worth a scroll. On costs, the UK ETA fees and costs guide has the full picture.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Notably, mistake #1: renewing the ETA before the passport. That wastes £20, because the ETA still references the old passport number.

By contrast, renewing passport first, then ETA, is the correct order. Therefore, confirm the new passport issuance date before starting the ETA application.

Still deciding where to go? Try our Edinburgh travel guide for ETA holders and the Best UK cities beyond London for ETA visitors guide.

Final word on passport change UK

Notably, passport change UK is more than a bureaucratic line item — it is the hinge on which many 2026 British trips turn. Ultimately, if you have weighed the timings, the fees, and the official guidance in this article, you are already far ahead of most travellers. Therefore, bookmark the UK ETA validity, renewals and passport changes and the passport validity checks before UK travel for your next trip planning session, and you will be set.

Frequently asked questions about passport change UK

Does my UK ETA follow to a new passport?

No — you must reapply using the replacement passport. The old ETA auto-voids the moment the new one is issued.

How long does the replacement take?

Typically 48 hours after submission. More than 90% clear within 72 hours.

Is the fee refundable?

No — the original £20 is spent. Consequently, budget £20 per passport change.

Do I need a new photo?

Yes — the ETA requires a current passport-style photo matching your new passport.

Can I apply while abroad?

Yes — the ETA is applied online from any country.

What if I’m already in the UK when my passport is stolen?

An emergency travel document from your embassy lets you fly home. You only need a new ETA for future UK trips.

Can I transfer the ETA to a family member’s passport?

No — each ETA is tied to one named individual and their passport.

Additional travel preparation essentials

Before you travel, double-check three practical points that often catch first-time UK ETA applicants by surprise. First, confirm your passport’s validity: while the ETA itself requires a biometric e-passport, UK border officials also verify that your passport will remain valid for the duration of your intended stay. Second, prepare your accommodation address: even though the ETA application does not require a hotel reservation, border officers may ask where you’ll be staying, so have a confirmation email or address ready on your phone. Third, carry proof of onward or return travel: a printed flight itinerary or train ticket showing you’ll leave the UK within the permitted 6-month window helps avoid unnecessary questioning at passport control.

Frequently asked questions

How long does ETA approval usually take?

Most applications are approved within minutes to a few hours, though the UK Home Office advises allowing up to 3 working days for processing. Allow up to 3 working days before travel (GOV.UK recommendation). Last-minute applications may be approved in time, but if there’s any delay you risk being denied boarding, so don’t leave it to the final 24 hours unless you have no other option.

What documents should I keep accessible during my trip?

Always carry your passport (in original, not photocopy), the ETA approval email printed or saved offline on your phone, proof of accommodation for your first night, return travel confirmation, and a backup payment method. While the ETA is biometrically linked to your passport (no separate document needed), having the approval email accessible can resolve disputes quickly if border systems are temporarily slow or offline.

Where can I check the latest UK ETA policy updates?

The official UK government ETA portal is the only authoritative source for fees, eligible nationalities, and procedural changes. Other websites may charge more than the official £20 ETA fee. The Home Office typically announces major policy changes at least 30 days in advance, and travel-industry news sites (BBC Travel, Conde Nast, Skyscanner) often summarise the changes within hours.