Lost Passport Abroad? Full Guide for Indians

Losing your passport while traveling abroad can be one of the most stressful experiences for any Indian traveler. Your passport is your primary proof of identity, nationality, and visa status. But don’t panic — the process to recover from this situation is well-defined. If you’ve lost your passport abroad, here’s the step-by-step action plan you must follow immediately.

Step 1: File a Police Complaint

Your first action should be to report the loss at the nearest police station in the country you are visiting.

• File a formal police complaint.

• Collect a copy of the police report — this document is mandatory for further steps.

• Keep both physical and digital copies of this report safely.

This document will be required when applying for a new passport or an Emergency Travel Certificate (EC) from the Indian Embassy.

Step 2: Contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate

Next, reach out to the Indian Embassy/Consulate in your current country.

• Locate their address and contact details on the MEA official website.

• Inform them about your situation and present the police report.

• Embassy officials will guide you through the replacement or emergency travel process.

Step 3: Apply for a New Passport or Emergency Certificate

You now have two options:

1. New Passport – Usually takes 7–10 working days depending on the country.

2. Emergency Certificate (EC) – A temporary document that allows you to return to India quickly but cannot be used for further travel abroad.

Documents Required

• Police report copy

• Proof of address in India

• Proof of date of birth (Aadhaar/PAN/Driving License copy if available)

• Affidavit explaining how the passport was lost

• Copy of the lost passport’s first and last pages (if you have them)

If you don’t have a passport copy, try to recall details like passport number, place of issue, and date of issue.

Step 4: Apply for a Visa Again

Since your visa is also lost with the passport, you must reapply.

• Visit the embassy/consulate of the country that issued your visa.

• Submit your new passport/EC, police report, and any visa photocopies you may have saved.

• Each country has different rules, so the timeline and fee will vary.

Step 5: Reschedule Your Flight

Delays are common in this situation. Contact your airline and explain your case. Some airlines may:

• Allow free rebooking in emergencies.

• Offer discounted change fees for stranded passengers.

Step 6: Inform Your Travel Insurance Provider

If you purchased travel insurance, notify your provider immediately.

• Submit the police report and embassy documents.

• Some insurance policies cover replacement passport costs, hotel stay, or rebooking charges.

• This ensures your claim isn’t rejected later.