Can one ETA be replaced for another?

[Jose Zalfadilla]

I was going on a Crown cruise from Sydney in March and had my Subclass 601 ETA finalized and linked to my US passport. However, due to a need for surgery interfering with the trip, I can no longer make the original cruise. I did find a replacement cruise which leaves Sydney in October 2025, some 2 weeks after the current ETA's expiration. So, I will not be using the current ETA at all. Now, I have not found the answer yet online, but is there a way to cancel the current and unusable ETA ---  not extend it --- and obtain another one that will cover the new cruise dates?

Edited November 29 by Jose Zalfadilla
typos

[MicCanberra]

I am unsure of the correct answer but I suspect as your first visa has expired, you could simply do a new visa for the dates you require.

However,  as you have time before you arrive in Australia, perhaps contact the Department of Immigration and get clarification as to how to proceed.

[SinbadThePorter]

7 hours ago, Jose Zalfadilla said:

I will not be using the current ETA at all.

 

Your current ETA has been attached to your passport and is valid right now. So it is in use.

 

You will need to get another when the time comes for next years cruise.

[arxcards]

43 minutes ago, SinbadThePorter said:

 

Your current ETA has been attached to your passport and is valid right now. So it is in use.

 

You will need to get another when the time comes for next years cruise.

Correct.

The same applies to us when applying for a US ESTA, and I would presume for most other countries around the world.

 

I am curious here, and don't know how it actually works, as we don't apply for Australian ETA's here. Is there an issue that you can't apply for another ETA until your current one has expired? I agree, it would be risky applying for your new ETA only a couple of weeks before you travel. I am not aware of any method to cancel your current ETA.

[sciencewonk]

I used to get Australian ETAs frequently before I became a permanent resident and immigrated here.  The ETA approvals happened very quickly, sometimes withing minutes.  Do you remember how long it took to get your initial approval?  That might make it safe to wait until it expires before submitting for a new one.

[boeckli]

I would not wait until the current one expires before applying for a new one, like a month or two before your cruise (in case there are any delays). I have done this with the New Zealand ETA and imagine the Australian one would work similarly. 

 

Isn't the ETA valid for multiple entries during the validity period, not just a specific journey? So whether you 'use it' or not is not really relevant I think. And it's not a huge cost involved either if you get a new one.

[MicCanberra]

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601#Overview

Just apply for a new visa for when you arrive now, if there is an issue, they will contact you and then you can explain the changed circumstances.

[Jose Zalfadilla]

Thanks to all who responded.

 

Considering all the answers posted here, I believe the best thing to do is wait until the current ETA expires and immediately apply for another one that will cover the new travel dates. Really, as I now recall, it took virtually no time at all for the ETA in effect currently to be completed and linked to my passport. Thanks to all! 

[MicCanberra]

I am sure you will be fine, they are almost instantly applied and take no time at all.