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

Short answer

Act now: if the authorisation is tied to a different passport number than the passport you’ll actually travel on, you may need to apply again. First, confirm what passport it’s linked to in the official checker (where available), then submit the correct application through the official government route.

Do not do these things

  • Do not assume it will work “because it’s still valid” if it was issued against a different passport number.
  • Do not enter your old passport details into airline check-in to “match” the authorisation.
  • Do not use sponsored/look-alike “fast approval” sites — use only the official government site/app for the country you’re entering.
  • Do not cancel the whole trip until you’ve checked whether the official system allows an update or requires a new application.
  • Do not rely on a screenshot alone at the airport; airlines typically check permission electronically against the passport you present.

What to do now

  1. Identify the exact authorisation and which country it’s for.
    Find the confirmation email/app and write down: the country, the scheme name, your reference number, and the passport number it was issued against (if shown).

  2. Check the official status/checker and confirm the passport number on record.

    • If it’s a UK ETA, use the official “Check your ETA” service.
    • If it’s for another country, use that country’s official status tool (if they provide one) or your official confirmation details.

  3. If the authorisation is linked to your old passport number, treat it as not usable for your new passport unless the official system explicitly says you can update it.
    Many schemes are passport-number specific. For the UK ETA, official guidance says it is linked to your passport and if your passport has expired or changed you need to apply for a new ETA.

  4. Apply again (or submit the official change request) using the passport you will travel with.
    Use only the official government site/app for the country you’re entering. Before you submit, re-check passport number, name spelling, and date of birth digit-by-digit/letter-by-letter.

  5. Make your airline booking match the passport you will present.
    Update “passport details” / “Advance Passenger Information” in your booking or airline profile to your current passport. Mismatches here can trigger check-in blocks even if you’ve fixed the authorisation.

  6. Check transit points as well as the final destination.
    If you connect through another country (even without leaving the airport), verify whether that route requires its own permission linked to your passport number.

  7. Use UK-specific help to confirm entry document rules fast.
    Check the UK government’s foreign travel advice “entry requirements” for your destination and any transit countries, then follow the destination’s official application path.

  8. Create a simple proof bundle in case check-in systems lag.
    Save the new application submission/approval email, reference number, and any official status page showing approval. (This won’t override electronic checks, but it helps troubleshooting at the airport.)

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today about compensation, complaints, or changing the wider itinerary.
  • You do not need to fix unrelated IDs or accounts — just align authorisation + passport + airline booking.
  • You do not need to tell everyone you’re travelling until the correct application/change request is submitted.

Important reassurance

This happens a lot after a passport renewal because the passport number changes and many digital permissions are tied to that number. Catching it before you travel is the key step that prevents a last-minute denied-boarding shock.

Scope note

These are first steps to stabilise the situation and reduce the risk of being refused at check-in. If you have complications (dual nationality, an existing visa in an old passport, prior refusals), deal with the immediate authorisation/passport mismatch first, then seek specialist help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements depend on your nationality, your route (including transit), and the destination country’s rules, and carriers may enforce document checks before boarding.

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