What should I do if I lose my passport in China?
Quick answer
If you lose your passport in China, get to a safe place, then follow the official path: report the loss to the local public security or exit-entry authority, apply for a passport loss certificate, contact your embassy or consulate, and handle visa or stay reissue after you receive a replacement travel document.
Who this applies to
- Foreign visitors whose passport is lost, stolen, damaged, or unusable in China.
- Travelers who need replacement travel documents from their embassy or consulate.
- Visitors who may need visa, stay, or exit-entry paperwork after receiving a replacement document.
Who this does not apply to
- Chinese citizens replacing Chinese travel documents.
- Routine passport renewal before travel.
- Cases where an embassy, consulate, or local authority gives different instructions for a specific emergency.
Step by step
Move to a safe place and keep your phone working.
Save copies of passport, visa, flight, hotel, and insurance details if you have them.
Report the loss and apply for a passport loss certificate or local reporting confirmation.
Contact your embassy or consulate in China for a replacement passport or temporary travel document.
After receiving the replacement document, apply to the local exit-entry authority for visa renewal, reissue, or necessary stay documents.
Required documents or information
- Any copy or photo of the lost passport and visa.
- Passport loss certificate or local reporting confirmation.
- Embassy or consulate replacement passport or temporary travel document.
- Flight, hotel, insurance, and contact details that help identify your travel status.
Common mistakes
- Going directly to the airport and hoping to exit without valid replacement documents.
- Waiting several days before reporting the loss.
- Only contacting the airline instead of also contacting the embassy or consulate and exit-entry authority.
- Moving cities before asking whether the process must be completed where the loss occurred.
- Not keeping any copy of passport or visa information.
What to do next
- Open the lost-passport emergency guide and use the phrase cards if you need local help.
- Find your embassy or consulate's emergency contact channel.
- Avoid unnecessary domestic travel until you understand the local process and replacement-document requirements.
Official sources
Disclaimer
ChinaReady is an independent preparation guide, not an official government, police, embassy, consulate, airline, or border-control website. Final emergency handling, replacement documents, and exit-entry decisions rest with official authorities.