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{"id":3003,"date":"2026-06-25T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etavisauk.org\/en\/?p=3003"},"modified":"2026-07-02T13:26:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T13:26:58","slug":"uk-eta-renewal-process-2026-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etavisauk.org\/en\/uk-eta-renewal-process-2026-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"UK ETA Renewal 2026: Process, Cost and Timing Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

If your Electronic Travel Authorisation is about to lapse, you do not extend it \u2014 you replace it. The UK ETA renewal<\/strong> process is really a fresh application, and knowing exactly when and how to do it keeps your travel plans on track. This guide walks through every trigger, step and timing rule so you never arrive at the airport with an expired authorisation.<\/p>\n

TL;DR:<\/strong> A UK ETA renewal<\/strong> means submitting a brand-new \u00a320 application, because an ETA cannot be prolonged. You renew when the two-year validity ends or when you get a new passport. Most decisions land within minutes, but allow up to three working days before any trip to be safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Quick Facts: UK ETA Renewal<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Renewal type<\/td>\nNew application (no in-place renewal)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost each time<\/td>\n\u00a316 per person<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main triggers<\/td>\n2-year expiry or new passport<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical decision time<\/td>\nMinutes to 3 working days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Where to apply<\/td>\nOfficial UK ETA app or gov.uk<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"Traveller
Traveller starting a UK ETA renewal application online (Photo: Matheus Bertelli\/Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What does the UK ETA renewal process actually involve?<\/h2>\n

The UK ETA renewal process involves making a completely new application rather than updating an existing one.<\/strong> There is no “renew” button and no reduced renewal fee \u2014 you complete the same form, upload a fresh photo and pay the same \u00a316 charge confirmed in the official UK ETA guidance<\/a> (UK Home Office, accessed 23 June 2026). The word “renewal” is simply how most travellers describe reapplying once their old authorisation expires.<\/p>\n

This differs from extending an authorisation, which is not possible at all. If your question is really about how quickly a fresh authorisation clears, see our guide on UK ETA processing time<\/a>. Renewal is about timing a new application correctly; an ETA cannot be lengthened, only replaced, so the practical skill is knowing when to reapply and how fast approval arrives. Treat each renewal as a routine five-minute task rather than a bureaucratic hurdle, and it rarely causes travel disruption.<\/p>\n

When should you start a UK ETA renewal?<\/h2>\n

You should start a UK ETA renewal as soon as your current authorisation expires, or immediately after you receive a new passport.<\/strong> The ETA stays valid for two years or until your passport’s expiry date, whichever comes first, so the trigger date is whichever of those two events arrives sooner. Applying early does not extend an existing ETA \u2014 a new one simply starts a fresh two-year window from the application date.<\/p>\n

There are three clear moments to reapply:<\/p>\n