# I lost my passport, phone or card abroad — what now?

> The next three moves, and where to go, from the city you are in.

URL: https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/en/lost-passport-phone-card/  
Language: English (en)

## The problem

A lost passport, phone or card abroad turns a trip into a problem with a clock on it. The steps are simple; nobody knows them until they need them.

Who it hits: Every traveller, eventually.

### The shapes it takes

- Passport lost or stolen
- Phone lost with banking apps and two-step codes on it
- Bank cards and cash
- Wallet or bag stolen with everything at once
- Police report and what it is for
- Emergency travel document, by passport
- EU citizens with no embassy of their own
- Entry stamps and exit permits before flying
- Card fraud: the most a card holder pays
- Blocking a phone by its IMEI
- Getting home without documents

### What this page gives you

The next three moves, and where to go, right where you are.

## What's gone, and where are you?

Nothing you choose or type is sent anywhere. Ticks are kept on this device only.

## Right now

1. If you were hurt or threatened, get somewhere safe first and call the local emergency number.
2. Freeze the card in your banking app now, or call your bank's lost-card line (it's on the bank's website). No app, no number? The card network's line below blocks it and puts you through to your bank.
3. From any browser, open your phone's finder, sign in and mark the phone as lost: it locks, shows a number to call you on, and suspends the cards in Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
4. Change your email password first — email can reset every other account — then your Apple or Google password, then your banking.
5. Ask your mobile carrier to block the SIM: it stops calls, texts and the bank codes sent by text. Ask for a new SIM or eSIM on the same number.
6. Call your own number from someone else's phone — an honest finder may pick up.
7. Retrace your steps: call the hotel, restaurant, shop or taxi you last used. Ride-hailing apps have a “lost item” button that reaches the driver.

## Today

1. Report it at the nearest police station and get a written report with its reference number — the embassy, the bank and your insurer ask for it. Put the passport number in the report if the passport is gone.
2. Contact your embassy or consulate for an emergency travel document.
3. Find a copy of your passport — a photo in your email, your cloud, or with someone at home. It speeds up everything at the embassy.
4. Once reported, the passport is cancelled for good — travel only on the new document, even if the old one turns up.
5. Check your account for payments you didn't make and dispute them straight away with your bank.
6. Ask your bank for a replacement card — some send one abroad. Visa and Mastercard can also arrange an emergency card or cash once your bank approves.
7. Banking apps were on the phone? Ask each bank to disconnect that device.
8. A text or call saying your phone was found is a trick to get your password — Apple says it never sends them. Sign in only on the finder site you open yourself.
9. Given up on getting it back? Erase it from the finder. An iPhone stays locked to your Apple Account after erasing; an Android phone disappears from Find Hub once erased — so erase last.
10. Block the phone itself by its IMEI (on the box, the receipt, in your phone bill, or in Find Hub's device details): ask your carrier.
11. Report your other lost cards and IDs — driving licence, ID card, residence card — to whoever issued them.
12. Need cash now? Family or friends can send money to a transfer shop (it asks for ID — your emergency document works once issued), and your bank or card network can arrange emergency cash.
13. Tell your travel insurer today and keep every receipt for what you have to replace — many policies set a time limit for reporting.

## Before you fly home

1. Before you book, ask immigration (or your embassy) whether your new document needs an entry stamp or exit permit to leave.
2. Put the new document's number into your airline booking (“Manage booking”) — airlines send it to border systems before you board.
3. Apply for a full passport once you're home — emergency documents are usually for one journey.
4. New phone: restore your backup, then set up two-step login again with your backup codes.
5. Put the new card into the apps and subscriptions that used the old one.
6. Bag lost by the airline rather than stolen? That's a baggage claim — report it at the airport before you leave.

Phone gone? Ask to use the phone at your hotel desk, a shop or the police station — everything below works from any borrowed phone or computer.

Report the passport lost or stolen to your passport office and apply for a new one there.

## Emergency documents, by passport

- **GB — Emergency Travel Document.** Apply online — a relative or friend can pay if your cards are gone. It's usually for one journey, through up to 5 countries, and you must travel within 6 weeks. Fee: 125 GBP. 24/7 help line: +44 20 7008 5000. Official: https://www.gov.uk/travel-urgently-from-abroad-without-uk-passport · https://www.gov.uk/world/embassies · https://www.gov.uk/guidance/consular-assistance-how-the-foreign-commonwealth-development-office-provides-support
- **US — Emergency passport.** Apply in person at the U.S. embassy or consulate with a passport photo, any ID, proof of citizenship (a copy of the lost passport works) and your travel plans. It may be valid for up to a year; a police report helps but isn't required. Fee: 165 USD. 24/7 help line: +1 202 501 4444. Official: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/lost-stolen-passport-abroad.html · https://www.usembassy.gov · https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/sending-money-abroad.html
- **CA — Emergency travel document or temporary passport.** Contact the nearest Government of Canada office with proof of your citizenship. A police report isn't required for the passport, but helps with insurance. The passport you reported can't be used again — return it if it turns up. 24/7 help line: +1 613 996 8885. Official: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/stolen-belongings · https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/consular · https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/fees/passport-outside-canada-urgent.html
- **AU — Emergency passport.** Apply at an Australian embassy or consulate. It's valid for up to 12 months and has no chip, so some countries restrict it — check before you book. You can apply for the new passport at the same time. Where Australia has no office, partner countries help. 24/7 help line: +61 2 6261 3305. Official: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/our-role/passport-services · https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/about-us/contact · https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/while-youre-away/when-things-go-wrong/lost-property
- **NZ — Urgent passport or Emergency Travel Document.** New Zealand embassies don't print passports: most people apply online for an urgent passport, sent to them. An Emergency Travel Document is for travel within 3 days, from some offices only, and costs more. Report the loss to the local police. 24/7 help line: +64 99 20 20 20. Official: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/while-you-re-away/when-things-go-wrong/you-have-lost-your-passport-or-belongings · https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/contact-us · https://www.passports.govt.nz/lost-stolen-or-damaged-passport
- **IE — Emergency travel document.** A police report is required. Contact the nearest Irish embassy or consulate; in a country with no Irish office, another EU country's embassy can help. 24/7 help line: +353 1 408 2000. Official: https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/lost-stolen-damaged/ · https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/contact-dfa-consular-assistance/ · https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel-and-recreation/passports/replacing-a-lost-or-stolen-irish-passport/
- **FR — Laissez-passer or passeport temporaire.** The consulate records the loss of your passport, ID card or driving licence. A laissez-passer takes you home to France; a passeport temporaire (valid one year) is for urgent travel on to another country. The fee shown is the laissez-passer's. Fee: 50 EUR. Official: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/services-aux-francaises-et-aux-francais/assistance-et-securite/vol-ou-perte-de-documents-a-l-etranger
- **DE — Reiseausweis als Passersatz.** Bring the police report, two biometric photos and any ID. The Reiseausweis is usually ready within hours and is valid for the trip home (at most one month); a vorläufiger Reisepass (up to one year, several days) is for travelling on. No German mission? Any EU embassy. Official: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/konsularinfo/reisepaesse-und-personalausweise
- **IN — Emergency Certificate.** Report the loss to the police (the report should show your passport number) and to the Indian mission. The Emergency Certificate is for one journey to India: fill in the online form, then visit the mission. Official: https://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/faqLostDamagedPassports · https://mportal.passportindia.gov.in/mission/
- **PH — Travel Document.** Bring the police report (in English, or translated), proof of citizenship (a copy of the passport, your PSA birth certificate or a Philippine ID), a copy of your return ticket and passport photos. The affidavit of loss is signed at the consular section. Keep the Travel Document — DFA needs the original for your new passport. Official: https://jakartape.dfa.gov.ph/consular-services/passport/travel-document-application
- **SG — Document of Identity (DOI).** Report the loss to ICA online, then apply for the DOI with Singpass and choose the mission to collect it from. It's for one-way travel to Singapore only. A passport found later must be surrendered within 14 days. Fee: 15 SGD. Official: https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Services/Singapore-Citizens/I-Need-Help-Overseas/Loss-of-Passport
- **ZA — Emergency Travel Certificate.** Take the police report to the nearest South African mission: you fill in a form, give fingerprints and bring proof of citizenship and two photos. It's for one journey straight to South Africa. 24/7 help line: +27 12 351 1000. Official: https://dirco.gov.za/consular-services/
- **EU citizens:** Your own country has no embassy or consulate here? As an EU citizen, any other EU country's embassy issues you an EU emergency travel document for the trip home — normally within 7 working days. https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/eu-citizenship-and-democracy/consular-protection_en
- Your country's embassy or consulate issues the emergency document — its foreign ministry's website lists the nearest one. Ask what to bring before you go; most ask for a police report, photos and any proof of who you are.

## Before you leave, by country

- India: get an exit permit from the FRRO (apply on e-FRRO) with the police report and your embassy's letter before you fly. Source: https://www.mea.gov.in/visa-related-services-provided-by-frros-fros-menu · https://indianfrro.gov.in/efrro/home
- Thailand: get a new arrival stamp at Immigration (Immigration Division 1) — bring the police report and a letter from your embassy. It's free. Source: https://thailand.go.th/issue-focus-detail/001-01-019
- Vietnam: your new document needs an exit visa from the Immigration office before you can leave. Source: https://www.indembassyhanoi.gov.in/page/emergency-certificate-in-case-of-loss-of-passport/
- China: take the police report to the local Exit-Entry Bureau for a certificate of loss, and ask there what your new document needs (usually a new visa) before you book. Source: https://www.eoibeijing.gov.in/page/reissue-of-passport-in-lieu-of-lost-damaged-passport/
- Malaysia: get a special pass from the Immigration Department on your new document before you go to the checkpoint. Source: https://mfa.gov.sg/Overseas-Mission/Kuala-Lumpur/Consular-Services/Lost-or-Damaged-Passport
- Indonesia: Immigration asks for the police report — keep it with your new document. Source: https://jakarta.mfa.gov.sg/consular-services/loss-of-singapore-passport
- Taiwan: report the loss at a National Immigration Agency service centre for a lost-passport report. Source: https://taipei.mfa.gov.sg/consular-services/loss-of-singapore-passport/
- Egypt: have your visa stamped on the new document at the Ministry of Interior before you fly. Source: https://www.eoicairo.gov.in/page/emergency-certificate/
- Oman: after the police report, get a letter from immigration — it's asked for with your new document. Source: https://www.indemb-oman.gov.in/page/emergency-certificate/
- Before you book, ask immigration (or your embassy) whether your new document needs an entry stamp or exit permit to leave.

## Card lines and fraud limits

Call from any phone; from a hotel or mobile, the operator can place it as a collect call. UnionPay cards: call the bank that issued the card.

- Visa: +1 303 967 1096 — https://usa.visa.com/support/consumer/lost-stolen-card.html
- Mastercard: +1 636 722 7111 — https://www.mastercard.com/global/en/personal/get-support.html
- American Express: US +1 336 393 1111 · UK +44 1273 696 933 — https://www.americanexpress.com/us/customer-service/faq.contact-american-express-overseas.html
- JCB: JP +81 422 40 8122 — https://www.jcb.jp/services/emergency_support.html
- Discover: +1 801 902 3100 — https://www.discover.com/mobile/data/footer/faq_intl.html
- UnionPay: the issuing bank — https://m.unionpayintl.com/en/servicesProducts/servicesBenefits/emergencyCash
- German cards: the central blocking line +49 116 116 (most German banks). https://www.evz.de/en/topics/banking-finance/lost-stolen-cards/

### The most you pay for card fraud

Report fast — after you report, you pay nothing. Before that, the law caps what a card holder can lose (unless they were grossly careless):

- Card from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway: at most 50 EUR. https://www.evz.de/en/topics/banking-finance/lost-stolen-cards/
- Card from the UK: at most 35 GBP. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/752/section/77
- Card from the US: credit cards at most 50 USD; debit cards 50 USD if reported within 2 business days, up to 500 USD if later (within 60 days of the statement). https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/lost-or-stolen-credit-atm-debit-cards
- Card from India: nothing for fraud by others reported within 3 working days; 5,000 INR to 25,000 INR within 4–7 working days, depending on the account. https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=11040
- Other countries: ask your bank — most card networks refund fraud you report quickly.

## Phone finders and IMEI blocking

- iPhone: Find My (iCloud.com/find) — no login code needed: https://www.icloud.com/find (https://support.apple.com/en-us/101593)
- Android: Google Find Hub: https://www.google.com/android/find (https://support.google.com/android/answer/6160491?hl=en)
- Samsung Galaxy: Samsung Find: https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00080182 (https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00080182)
- In India, block it on Sanchar Saathi (CEIR) with the police report and your ID — it then stops working on every Indian network. https://www.sancharsaathi.gov.in
- TH: Tourist police: 1155

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