If you renewed your US passport in 2026 and already had a UK ETA tied to the old book number, you must re-apply. Indeed, the ETA US renewed rule is automatic—an ETA is bound to a specific passport number, and the UK Home Office system rejects boarding when the numbers no longer match. This guide walks through the exact re-apply steps, the refund situation, and the timing for Americans flying to London in May or June 2026.
Why a new passport breaks your existing ETA
The UK ETA scheme uses passport-number lookup at boarding, not facial biometric matching at the boarding gate. Specifically, when a US citizen renews their passport (typically every 10 years), the new book has a new number — Next Generation passports use a letter followed by 8 numbers. Therefore, the previously-approved ETA, valid for two years, becomes unusable.
The Immigration Rules are clear: “An ETA will be valid and confer permission to travel only where the holder travels using the passport specified in the ETA application.” As a result, US passengers who try to board with mismatched documents are denied at check-in by airline gate agents. Indeed, our common UK ETA mistakes catalogues the most common American errors.
The re-apply process — step-by-step
You re-apply through the official UK ETA app or gov.uk web portal. Specifically, the steps are:
1. Download the “UK ETA” app from the Apple App Store or Google Play (developer: Home Office). No smartphone? Apply online via GOV.UK (gov.uk/eta).
2. Scan your new US passport’s biometric chip via NFC (apps prompt with “tap top of phone to passport”). If the chip can’t be scanned, you can continue without that step; it does not affect the outcome of your application.
3. Take a fresh selfie with neutral expression, no glasses, plain background.
4. Pay the £20 fee by credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
5. Wait for the decision email — usually within a day, up to 3 working days. Apply at least 3 working days before your flight, earlier if you can.
What you cannot do — refund expectations
The UK Home Office will not refund the fee you paid for your original ETA (£16 before 8 April 2026, £20 since). Specifically, ETAs are non-transferable and non-refundable once issued. Therefore, if your old US passport had 21 months remaining on a 24-month ETA when you renewed, that fee is forfeit. (The US ESTA works differently: if an ESTA is denied, you are charged only $10.27 of the $40.27 fee.)
GOV.UK lists no refund exceptions: “You cannot get a refund after you apply.” Our April 2026 ETA price increase article discusses recent fee changes and what they mean for re-applies.
Timing — how far ahead to re-apply
GOV.UK says you will usually get a decision within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days. The Home Office publishes no longer processing time for re-applications after a passport renewal, so apply at least 3 working days before you fly — earlier if you can.
The renewal itself is the slow part: 4–6 weeks routine and 2–3 weeks expedited (for an extra $60), per the State Department (April 2026). Consequently, overall planning timeline runs:
– 8 weeks before trip: Submit US passport renewal (routine)
– 3 weeks before trip: Receive new passport book
– 2 weeks before trip: Apply for new UK ETA with new passport
– 1 week before trip: Confirm ETA approved, print confirmation
Indeed, our UK ETA processing time covers the timing in greater detail.
Common mistakes Americans make
The five most common re-apply errors are:
1. Using old passport book details. Specifically, the old book number must not appear anywhere—use the new book throughout.
2. Unusable photo. Follow the app’s photo instructions: if the photo can’t be used, the application is rejected and you have to apply (and pay) again.
3. Mismatched name spelling. Therefore, if you legally changed your name in the renewal, the new ETA must match the new book exactly, including hyphens and spaces.
4. Details that don’t match your passport. Check every date and number against the new passport: details that don’t match can delay your application or get it rejected.
5. Trying to “merge” the old and new ETA. Consequently, you cannot merge or transfer—each ETA is a separate £20 application bound to one passport number.
Cost analysis — old ETA vs. re-apply ROI
| Scenario | Old ETA loss | New ETA cost | Total spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renewal 1 month after ETA | £15.33 (23 of 24 months unused) | £20.00 | £35.33 |
| Renewal 12 months after ETA | £8.00 (12 of 24 months) | £20.00 | £28.00 |
| Renewal 23 months after ETA | £0.67 (1 of 24 months) | £20.00 | £20.67 |
This table assumes your old ETA cost £16 (the fee before 8 April 2026) and the new one costs £20. Americans renewing passports later in their ETA’s life lose less proportional value.
What if my old passport still has months left?
US citizens often keep an old passport book for visa stamps or frequent flyer programs. Specifically, the Home Office accepts the new passport for travel, even if the old one had not yet expired. Indeed, when you renew, your old passport is cancelled (and usually returned to you), so it can no longer be used for travel — and neither can the ETA linked to it.
So there is really one path: current book, fresh ETA. For a related wrinkle, our UK ETA and dual US citizenship guide covers Americans holding two passports.
Children — separate ETAs and separate re-applies
UK ETAs are individual to each traveler regardless of age. Specifically, a US family of four needs four separate ETAs. As a result, when one family member renews their passport, only that person re-applies.
The charge does not budge for age—kids pay the same £20 as adults. A family of four that renews two adult passports mid-validity is looking at £40 in re-apply fees.
What if I’m at the airport with mismatched docs?
Before boarding, airlines check your permission to travel automatically against Home Office records using your passport details. Specifically, they will check if the ETA matches the boarding passport. If not, you are denied boarding without refund. Therefore, do not gamble on a same-day re-apply from the terminal—there is no guarantee of approval inside 60 minutes.
There is no ETA phone helpline: UKVI cannot help with ETA enquiries by phone. Use the UKVI webchat and have your 16-digit ETA reference number ready. Consequently, plan ahead.
Edge cases — name changes, second passports
If you legally changed your name through marriage or court order during the ETA’s life, the new ETA must reflect that. Specifically, the State Department issues new passports with the new legal name. Therefore, your new ETA application must match exactly—same hyphens, same middle-name spelling, same suffix (Jr., Sr., II).
Hold two passports, say US and Canadian? Apply for the ETA on whichever one you’ll actually hand over at the UK border. One ETA cannot cover two books.
FAQ — re-apply for ETA after US passport renewal
Will my old ETA be partially refunded?
No. The UK Home Office refunds nothing on an ETA, and the £20 charge cannot be transferred. Indeed, our April 2026 ETA price increase explains the financial implications.
How long does the new ETA take to approve?
Usually within a day, often within minutes; GOV.UK allows up to 3 working days. Apply at least 3 working days before your flight.
Can I link my old and new ETAs?
No. They are two independent applications and two separate £20 charges, and nothing in the system ties them together.
What if I forgot to re-apply before boarding?
You will be denied boarding. Specifically, the airline checks your ETA against your passport details before boarding. Our common UK ETA mistakes guide covers other errors to avoid.
Is the £20 fee still in effect in 2026?
Yes. The April 2026 fee was set at £20 for adults; children pay the same. Our April 2026 ETA price increase breakdown explains the reasoning behind it.
Do I need a new ETA if I add visa pages to my passport?
No. Specifically, the State Department no longer adds visa pages—new passports replace old ones entirely. Therefore, this question is theoretical for renewals after 2016.
Can I apply at the airport on the day of travel?
You can try, but there is no promise of approval inside an hour. Do not rely on day-of approval—apply at least 3 working days ahead.
Coordinated US passport + UK ETA renewal calendar
The sequence leaves zero margin for error. Start 100 days out: file your passport renewal on routine processing. Routine processing takes 4–6 weeks and expedited 2–3 weeks (extra $60), according to travel.state.gov (April 2026).
By comparison, 35 days before your trip, your new passport book should arrive in the mail. At 28 days out, apply for a fresh UK ETA that matches your new document number. At 21 days, check for the approval email and save the digital confirmation. Consequently, our common UK ETA mistakes catalogs the most common American re-application errors.
Indeed, 14 days before, photograph both old and new passports for your trip records. Seven days before departure, make sure your boarding pass carries the new passport number—gate agents turn away mismatched documents. Therefore, our first-time UK trip planner integrates this entire renewal sequence into a smooth UK arrival for Americans.
Bottom line
Renewing a US passport mid-ETA means a £20 re-apply, and the old fee is gone for good. Approval usually lands within a day and can take up to 3 working days. Therefore, time your renewal at least 8 weeks before any UK trip and re-apply for the ETA 2 weeks ahead. Indeed, this £20 ETA plus $130 passport renewal (form DS-82) combination is annoying but unavoidable. Consequently, our first-time UK trip planner stitches the entire trip preparation together for Americans flying to London in May or June 2026.