What to do when you lose your passport abroad?

This is the most terrifying situation for any tourist, especially when you are abroad. When you lose your passport, in addition to the disadvantages of not being able to check in for a flight back home, check in at a hotel... it is very dangerous for security reasons when no one can identify your identity. Not to mention the situation where someone takes advantage of your lost passport to do illegal things. Therefore, a passport is an important document, an inseparable item that cannot be lost when going abroad.

About the procedure:

In case of loss, the first thing to do is to quickly notify the local police agency and the nearest Vietnamese Diplomatic Mission.

- Fill in all information in the passport loss report form according to the passport form and email it to the Consular Department (at the address).[email protected]) and the Vietnamese Diplomatic Mission where you are present, along with 2 4x6 cm photos. Submit a copy of the police report of lost passport;

- Be present at the representative office to work.

The information you provide in the lost passport report will be entered into the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) database and the validity of that passport will be announced to most countries in the world. Once a lost passport has been announced as cancelled, it will not be restored and you will not be able to use it again if you find it. You will need to apply for a new passport.

Time for Vietnamese representative agencies to consider re-issuing passports or travel documents:

- If you bring other documents proving your Vietnamese nationality such as ID card, proof of your legal entry into the host country (airline ticket, entry declaration) within 5 working days, you will get your passport back if you continue your journey to another country; if you return to your country, you will be issued a Travel Pass.

- If you go on a tour or in a group, a working delegation, the person accompanying the group must present a personal passport, confirming that you are a member of the group, and you will be granted a return passport within 24 hours.

- If you do not have any other documents and are not subject to the above, the Vietnamese Representative Office must conduct verification. Within no more than 5 working days, you will be considered for re-issuance of your passport or Travel Pass.

About finance:

Many people who lose their passports often lose their wallets along with them. Or the time spent re-issuing a passport exceeds the financial resources they have brought with them, not to mention the cost of re-issuing a passport, so money issues also become a big concern.

If you go out with friends or have relatives in the host country, you don't have to worry much because you can still rely on them to borrow money to renew your passport... However, if you are alone, you need to take care of it yourself by going to a bank or international money transfer services.

There are 2 options, you can go to Western Union to receive money transfers from home. Or if you have an account with a global bank, you can also go to the branch of that bank in the country where you are stopping to contact the transfer.

Note about internet:

In the meantime, you need the internet to look up, find addresses, contact banks or contact diplomatic agencies. Not all places can provide free wifi. You can go to public buildings such as City Hall, Government Tourist Office, public offices to use wifi. You can also use free wifi at fast food restaurants such as McDonalds, train stations (usually limited to 15-30 minutes) or coffee shops.

According to Ngoisao.net