- An eTA is issued electronically and stored against your passport number, not against a broader personal profile.
- Your old eTA does not automatically transfer to your new passport number, even if nothing else about your circumstances has changed.
- - Apply as soon as you have your new passport in hand — don't wait until close to your travel date.
An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) isn't linked to you as a person in the abstract — it's linked electronically to the specific passport you used when you applied. That distinction matters a great deal the moment your passport changes, whether through routine renewal, replacement after loss or theft, or a name change. Understanding this before you travel can save you a very bad afternoon at check-in.
This article explains why the eTA works this way, what you need to do after a passport change, and how to avoid finding out the hard way at the airport.
Why an eTA Is Tied to One Specific Passport
An eTA is issued electronically and stored against your passport number, not against a broader personal profile. When an airline checks your travel authorization before boarding, the system matches your current passport to the eTA on file. If the passport you're travelling on doesn't match the one your eTA is linked to, the system won't be able to confirm you're authorized — even though you, personally, hold a valid eTA.
This design exists for the same reason most travel-document screening is passport-specific: it ties authorization to a single, verifiable travel document rather than to identity claims that are harder to verify quickly at a boarding gate.
What Happens When You Get a New Passport
- Your old eTA does not automatically transfer to your new passport number, even if nothing else about your circumstances has changed.
- The eTA linked to your old passport becomes effectively unusable for travel once you're travelling on the new one.
- You generally need to apply for a new eTA using your new passport's details before your next flight to Canada.
- This applies even if your old eTA hadn't expired yet. A valid, unexpired eTA on an old passport does not carry forward — the link is to the document, not to a remaining validity period in the abstract.
Applying for a New eTA After a Passport Change
- Apply as soon as you have your new passport in hand — don't wait until close to your travel date.
- Have your new passport's details ready, along with the same basic biographical and travel information required for any eTA application.
- Fees apply to each eTA application, generally a modest amount — $7 CAD as of mid-2026; verify the current fee before applying, since government fees are reviewed periodically.
- Keep confirmation of your new eTA readily accessible, alongside your new passport, when you travel.
- If your old eTA is still showing on file anywhere in your own travel records, don't assume it's still valid — the passport match is what actually matters at boarding.
Situations That Commonly Complicate Things
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Routine passport renewal (expiry) | Apply for a new eTA linked to the new passport before your next trip |
| Lost or stolen passport, replaced | Apply for a new eTA immediately — the old eTA is now linked to a document you can no longer use |
| Legal name change reflected on new passport | Apply for a new eTA under the new passport details; keep supporting documentation for the name change on hand |
| Switching to a second valid passport (e.g., dual citizenship) | Confirm which passport you'll actually travel on, and make sure the eTA matches that specific document |
Frequently asked questions
If my old eTA hadn't expired yet, can I still use it with my new passport?
No. The eTA is linked to the specific passport number used at the time of application, regardless of the eTA's own remaining validity. A new passport number generally requires a new eTA application.
Do I need a new eTA if my passport number stays the same after renewal?
Passport numbers typically change with each new passport issued, even for the same person, so in almost all cases a renewal means a new number and, therefore, a new eTA is needed. Don't assume otherwise without checking your specific documents.
What if I don't realize my eTA is invalid until I'm at the airport?
This is a common and avoidable problem. Airlines check eTA validity against the passport being presented at check-in, and a mismatch commonly means being denied boarding. Apply for a new eTA as soon as you have a new passport, well before you travel.
Does this also apply to a visitor visa, or just an eTA?
A similar principle generally applies — travel authorization documents are tied to the specific passport used, so a passport change typically requires updating or reapplying for whichever document you hold. Confirm the specific process for your situation before travelling.
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