Lost Your Passport Abroad? What to Do Before and After

Losing your passport or travel document while traveling abroad is a major ordeal, and certainly something no one wants to experience!

A passport is the single most important document for any journey. If it goes missing, the excitement of your trip can instantly turn into panic and confusion. A passport isn’t just the booklet that allows you to enter and exit foreign countries it’s also your primary proof of identity when you’re overseas.

Of course, nobody wants this to happen! But if you do lose your passport while abroad, what’s the first thing you should do? Today, Gother is here to clear up all your questions: what you need to do, which steps to follow, and everything in between. Find all the answers right here!!!

Lost passport abroad is a nightmare no one wants to experience when traveling overseas. But if it happens, what should you do? For anyone who loses their passport abroad, remember there are three crucial steps to take when your passport goes missing overseas, as follows:  
 

1. Report the lost passport to the local police station

2. Contact the Royal Thai Embassy or the Thai Consulate-General

3. Obtain a new passport

  Before preparing your documents to apply for an emergency passport (Travel Document), you must first understand what an emergency passport is. An emergency passport (Emergency Passport / Travel Document) is a temporary travel document issued in emergency situations when an individual cannot use a regular passport. An emergency passport can be used in cases where your passport is lost or stolen while abroad, or if the passport is damaged and unusable (for example, torn, water-damaged, or otherwise defaced), or if the passport has expired and you need to travel urgently. The emergency passport has a shorter validity period than a regular passport only until your scheduled return date and is accepted by some countries only. Now, let’s take a look at the documents you need to prepare when applying for an emergency passport.  
 

1. Emergency Passport Application Form

2. Passport-sized Photograph

3. Proof of Identity

4. Documentation for Lost Passport Cases

5. Travel Documents

  If your passport is lost abroad, applying for a temporary passport is faster than issuing a new regular passport. However, there are some precautions when obtaining a temporary passport, as follows:  

• A temporary passport is issued only for those without a regular passport in an emergency. Emphasize that situations include lost passports, stolen passports, expired passports, and urgent travel needs where waiting for a regular passport is not possible.

• Thai temporary passports have a green cover and are handmade by the embassy. Because they are handmade, some countries may not accept them due to being easy to counterfeit, making it difficult to verify their authenticity. Therefore, always check with the embassy of the destination country to confirm that they accept temporary passports, to avoid travel delays.

• The embassy issues a temporary passport only to those who need to travel to the specified country before returning to Thailand, and it should not be used again. Therefore, upon returning to Thailand, apply for a regular passport as soon as possible before your next trip.

  Unexpected events can happen when you lose your passport, which may derail your trip and replace all the fun with worry. First, when you discover your passport is missing, stay calm and recall the last time you used it to confirm it is truly lost. Once you are certain the passport is gone, gather all relevant information, such as the date and location where you think it was lost, its details like color and number, and if you have a copy, bring that information when you contact embassy officials for assistance.   To contact the Thai embassy after losing your passport, look up the contact details of the Thai embassy or consulate in that country. If you don’t know how to reach or locate the Thai diplomatic mission, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website to find contact information for Thai embassies and consulates worldwide. Search by the country name, and once you know where the embassy or consulate is, go to their official website to find the address, phone number, email, and office hours. Before you go, be sure to prepare all required documents completely and correctly.

  Many people wonder whether they can continue traveling or return to Thailand. Here’s the answer: if you lose your passport abroad, you can definitely travel back to Thailand, but under the following conditions:   Report the loss to the local police to request a copy of the police report. Take the police report copy and other identification documents to the Thai embassy or consulate in the country where you are. Request an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). The embassy or consulate will issue the ETD for your return to Thailand. The ETD has limited validity and is valid only for return travel to Thailand.
 

  Passport theft prevention while traveling internationally is extremely important! To avoid the hassle and problems that can arise when a passport is lost abroad, we have some tips for you to try:  

• Make copies of your passport in both paper and digital formats by photocopying the identification page with your photo and personal information, as well as the visa page (if any). Store these copies in safe places, such as another suitcase, in your email, on your mobile phone, or upload them to secure cloud storage.

• Find the contact information for the Thai embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting, and save it in your phone and on paper for emergencies. Enable roaming on your original number and pair it with eSIM Vacay, using your original number for calls and SMS and eSIM Vacay for mobile data to save on roaming charges.

• Keep your passport in a secure place. Do not store it in a backpack or easily accessible bag. Instead, keep it in a waist pouch worn close to your body, an inside-zippered jacket pocket, or a hidden compartment in your luggage, and always return it to the same secure spot after use.

• Store your passport separately from other valuables such as cash, credit cards, or your phone. If a bag is stolen, you could lose everything at once.

• Be extra vigilant in public places, especially in crowded areas like train stations, airports, or markets, where thieves may target your belongings.

• Carry your passport with you at all times as you would your ID card when leaving home. Do not leave it in your hotel room unless you are confident in the hotel's security system and there is an in-room safe.

• Place your passport in a waterproof and scratch-resistant plastic sleeve to help keep it in good condition and make it easier to notice, reducing the chance of damage or loss.

  In addition, there are many frequently asked questions about lost passports abroad, which we have compiled here for you to read!

Question: What should you do if your passport is lost abroad?
Answer: The first step is to file a report at the local police station and then contact your embassy.

Question: How can you contact the embassy if your passport is lost?
Answer: You can reach them in three ways: by phone, by email, or by visiting in person.

Question: What can the embassy do to help if your passport is lost abroad?
Answer: The embassy can issue an emergency travel document, provide guidance on various matters, and assist with any necessary coordination.

Question: How long does it take to obtain an emergency travel document?
Answer: Usually, processing an emergency travel document takes about 1 - 2 business days once all required documents are submitted.

Question: If your passport is lost abroad, can you get a replacement passport there?
Answer: Yes, but it may take longer than applying in Thailand.

Question: How much is the fee for a new passport?
Answer: There is a fee, which varies depending on the document type and the policies of each embassy.

Question: If someone finds your lost passport and uses it, is that a crime?
Answer: Yes. Using a passport that is not your own is a criminal offense under Section 137 of the Criminal Code, punishable by up to 6 months in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.

Question: How many days in advance should you apply for a passport before traveling abroad?
Answer: Since passport processing can be lengthy, we recommend applying at least 1 month before your trip to avoid delays. An expedited service is available for an additional fee if you are in a hurry.

Question: How many days of validity should a passport have before traveling abroad?
Answer: Generally, your passport should have at least 6 months of validity remaining before your travel date; otherwise, some countries may deny entry.

Question: Do you need to renew your passport before traveling if it is torn or damaged?
Answer: If your passport has expired or is damaged, you should apply for a new one at the Department of Consular Affairs or any passport office in Thailand.

   All of the above is information about lost passports abroad that we have compiled fairly comprehensively. For those traveling abroad, besides planning your trip, booking flights, booking accommodations, and more, another important thing not to forget or overlook is preparing essential travel documents. We recommend making copies of all documents passport, visa, ID card, household registration, flight tickets, and other documents keeping them both in paper form and as digital files. Although the chance of an emergency is minimal, being prepared will give you peace of mind throughout your trip. If you plan to travel with family or loved ones, domestically or internationally, looking for accommodations at the best value, or affordable flight tickets, you can find everything you need for your travels on Gother, the travel booking platform for every lifestyle!