Stay Calm and Follow These Steps If You Lose Your Passport Abroad

By / MOOK Travel & Lifestyle Network Editorial Team

When traveling abroad, your passport is as important as your ID and must be kept safe with you at all times. But if you do accidentally lose it, don’t panic—just follow the steps below to ensure a safe return to Taiwan.

1. Report to the Local Police

If you realize your passport is missing while overseas, first check with the local tourist information center at the location where you lost it. If it really can't be found, go to the nearest local police station to file a report, provide the necessary details, and the police will issue a loss report certificate.

2. Apply for an Entry Certificate

Bring the loss report certificate, a 2-inch photo, and any other identification documents to the nearest Taiwanese embassy or consulate abroad to apply for an “Entry Certificate,” which functions as a temporary passport and allows you to check in at the airport for your flight. Upon returning

3. Replacing a Lost Passport

After returning to Taiwan, bring the “Entry Permit” and other relevant documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Bureau of Consular Affairs to apply for a replacement passport.

If you wish to directly apply for a new passport abroad, you must also first report the loss to the local police, then take the loss report to the Taiwanese embassy or consulate to process the application. However, obtaining a new passport takes considerable time and is only necessary if you plan to stay overseas for an extended period. It is also recommended that travelers photocopy or take photos of their passport before departure and carry two 2-inch passport-sized photos with them for emergencies.