PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Travel, documents & being abroad

What to do if…
your electronic travel authorisation is linked to an old passport and you are travelling soon

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Act now: if your UK ETA is linked to a different passport from the one you will travel with, you need to apply for a new ETA using your current passport. Check the official status first, then use the official GOV.UK application route.

Do not do these things

  • Do not assume a UK ETA will work just because it has not expired if it was issued against an old passport.
  • Do not enter your old passport details into airline check-in to make the ETA appear to match.
  • Do not pay another website or app because it says it can get a faster UK ETA decision.
  • Do not cancel the whole trip before you have checked the official status and submitted the correct application.
  • Do not rely on a screenshot alone at the airport; carriers usually check travel permission electronically against the passport you present.

What to do now

  1. Confirm exactly what the authorisation is for.
    Open the confirmation email or app record and write down the scheme name, reference number, passport number, and expiry date shown.

  2. Check the official UK ETA status.
    Use the GOV.UK “Check your ETA” service. You will need the passport used when the ETA was applied for.

  3. If the UK ETA is linked to your old passport, treat it as not usable for your current passport.
    GOV.UK says a UK ETA is linked to your passport and you need to apply for a new ETA if your passport has expired or changed.

  4. Apply again using the passport you will travel with.
    Use the official GOV.UK ETA route or the UK ETA app. Before submitting, check the passport number, name spelling, date of birth, and nationality against your current passport.

  5. Update your airline or carrier booking to match your current passport.
    Change the passport details or Advance Passenger Information in your booking or airline profile. A mismatch between your booking, passport, and ETA can cause check-in problems.

  6. Check transit as well as the final destination.
    If you are transiting through the UK, or through another country on the way to the UK, check whether that route requires a travel authorisation linked to the passport you will actually present.

  7. If the authorisation is for another country, use that country’s official status or application route.
    For UK travellers, GOV.UK foreign travel advice can help you find entry requirements for your destination and transit countries. Do not rely on a third-party summary when your passport number has changed.

  8. Keep a simple proof bundle for troubleshooting.
    Save the new application submission or approval email, reference number, and any official status page showing approval. This does not replace the electronic carrier check, but it can help if a carrier needs to troubleshoot.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide now about complaints, compensation, or changing the wider itinerary.
  • You do not need to fix unrelated accounts or IDs now.
  • You do not need to tell everyone about the problem before you have checked the official status and submitted the correct application.

Important reassurance

A passport renewal can create a document-number mismatch even when the authorisation itself looks current. Finding it before you travel gives you the best chance to fix the passport, authorisation, and carrier details before check-in.

Scope note

These are first steps only to reduce the risk of a refused check-in or travel document problem. If there are complications, such as dual nationality, a separate visa, a previous refusal, or urgent travel, later decisions may need specialist immigration or travel help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, immigration, financial, or professional advice. Requirements depend on your nationality, route, transit points, destination rules, and the carrier’s document checks.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

Support us