Do I need a new ESTA if I get a new passport?
Understand the implications of a change of passport on your ESTA and the steps you need to take to keep your travel authorisation in order.
ESTA, which stands for "Electronic System for Travel Authorization", is a system set up by the US government to facilitate temporary visa-free travel for citizens of participating countries, including the UK. It enables travellers' eligibility to be checked before they arrive in the United States. One of the key points to remember is that the ESTA is closely linked to your passport. When you apply for an ESTA, you must provide your passport details, such as number and expiry date. The ESTA is therefore linked to a specific passport and can only be used with that passport. However, British travellers sometimes have to deal with passport changes, whether due to expiry, loss, theft or even simple renewal. In such cases, it is important to know what steps to take regarding your ESTA. This is precisely the subject we will cover on this page. We will guide you through the steps involved in changing your passport and explain whether you need to renew your ESTA or simply update the information on your existing authorisation. By understanding these procedures, you will be better prepared for your trip and avoid any inconvenience or delays when you arrive in the United States.
Renewal of ESTA after passport change: in brief
- Renewal required: If you change your passport, you will need to renew your ESTA, even if the old authorisation has not yet expired.
- Creating a new account: You cannot modify your existing ESTA application. You must submit a new ESTA application using your new passport number.
- Up-to-date information: Make sure you enter all your up-to-date information, including your new passport number, when applying for a new ESTA.
- Cost and validity: Renewing your ESTA costs USD 21 and is valid for two years or until your new passport expires, whichever is earlier.
- Processing time: ESTA applications can take up to 72 hours to process, so it is important to apply for your renewal well in advance of your trip to the United States.
ESTA, or Electronic System for Travel Authorization, is an electronic system developed by the US government to facilitate visa-free travel for citizens of eligible countries, including the UK. It applies to tourist, business or transit trips lasting less than 90 days.
To obtain an ESTA, it is important to understand the eligibility requirements. British travellers must be in possession of a valid biometric or electronic passport. In addition, their trip must be for an eligible purpose, such as tourism, business, transit or medical care. Stays of more than 90 days or those with a purpose other than those authorised require an appropriate visa.
The ESTA is closely linked to the traveller's passport. When applying for ESTA, you must provide your passport details, including number, date of issue and expiry date. This information is verified and linked to your travel authorisation. It is therefore essential to ensure that the information you provide when applying for ESTA corresponds exactly to the information in your passport.
Once the ESTA has been approved, it is valid for two years, unless your passport expires before that date. In this case, the ESTA will automatically expire on the expiry date of your passport. It is important to note that the ESTA is not transferable from one passport to another. If you obtain a new passport, even if it is identical to your previous one, you will need to update the information on your ESTA so that it is associated with the new passport.
It is crucial to understand the interdependence between the ESTA and the passport. Any change to your passport may have implications for your ESTA.
Travellers may need to change their passport in various situations, such as when their current passport expires, is lost or stolen, or even when they decide to renew it before its scheduled expiry date. In such cases, it is important to understand the implications of this change for your ESTA.
When renewing your ESTA, you will need to provide the exact details of your new passport. It is advisable to keep an electronic copy of your old passport, as well as supporting documents to explain the change of passport, such as marriage certificates, name change decrees, etc. These documents may be requested at the time of renewal. These documents may be requested during the renewal procedure.
The following is a summary of the main points to bear in mind when dealing with a change of passport and the ESTA:
In addition to these points, here are a few practical tips to avoid potential problems when travelling to the United States:
If you have changed passports and your ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) is linked to your old passport, you may be wondering whether you can travel with both passports (old and new). The answer depends on a number of factors, but it is generally possible to travel with two passports, provided you follow certain steps to avoid any problems when entering the United States.
When you obtain an ESTA, it is linked to a specific passport, and your electronic travel authorisation is valid only for that passport. If you change your passport before travelling, you must take certain precautions to ensure that your entry into the United States goes smoothly. You can travel with both passports, but it is essential that you take both your old passport (which contains the valid ESTA) and your new passport with you.
Here are the steps to follow:
To sum up, although it is possible to travel with two passports, it is advisable to update your ESTA as soon as possible to simplify your journey and avoid the risk of complications at customs.
Yes, it is required to renew your ESTA after a passport change, even if the old authorisation has not yet expired.
Here are the reasons why you need to renew your ESTA:
Failure to renew your ESTA in the event of a passport change may lead to complications during your trip to the United States, such as
To avoid these inconveniences, it is important to renew your ESTA as soon as you have a new passport.
Check if your question has already been answered in the list below
Yes, even if your new passport is identical to your previous one, you must update the information on your ESTA so that it is associated with the new passport number. You can do this on the official ESTA website by following the appropriate steps. It is important to keep your ESTA up to date to avoid any problems when travelling to the United States.
No, if your new passport contains changes, such as a new passport number or a changed name, you will have to renew your ESTA in full. In this case, the old ESTA authorisation will no longer be valid. Make sure you follow the appropriate renewal procedures on the official ESTA website and provide the necessary supporting documents to explain the passport change.
When renewing your ESTA in the event of a passport change, it is recommended that you keep an electronic copy of your old passport and provide supporting documents to explain the passport change. These documents may include marriage certificates, name change decrees or other relevant legal documents. They may be requested during the renewal procedure to confirm the authenticity of the change.