Lost Passport in China: Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

Losing your passport abroad is stressful but manageable. China has clear procedures, and your embassy can help. Here's exactly what to do.

Immediate Steps

Step 1: Search Thoroughly

Before assuming it's lost:

• Check all bags, pockets, compartments
• Retrace your steps
• Check with hotels, restaurants, taxis visited
• Call Didi if you used ride-hailing (items often found)
• Check hotel safe, room safe

Many "lost" passports are just misplaced.

Step 2: File a Police Report

You need an official loss report (报失证明) from Chinese police.

How to file:

1. Go to nearest police station (派出所 pàichūsuǒ)
2. Bring any ID you have (driver's license, copy of passport)
3. Explain your passport is lost
4. They'll create a report

What to say:

• 我的护照丢了 (Wǒ de hùzhào diū le) — My passport is lost
• 我需要报失证明 (Wǒ xūyào bàoshī zhèngmíng) — I need a loss report

Tips:

• Bring someone who speaks Chinese if possible
• Hotel staff often help guests with this
• The process takes 1-2 hours typically
• Get multiple copies of the report

Step 3: Contact Your Embassy/Consulate

Your embassy issues emergency travel documents.

US Embassy Beijing:

• Phone: +86 10 8531 4000
• Emergency after hours: Same number
• Email: BeijingACS@state.gov
• Address: 55 An Jia Lou Road, Chaoyang District

US Consulates:

• Shanghai: +86 21 8011 2200
• Guangzhou: +86 20 3814 5000
• Chengdu: +86 28 8558 3992
• Shenyang: +86 24 2322 1198

UK Embassy Beijing:

• Phone: +86 10 5192 4000
• Emergency: +44 20 7008 5000
• Email: Consular.Beijing@fcdo.gov.uk

Canadian Embassy Beijing:

• Phone: +86 10 5139 4000
• Emergency: +1 613 996 8885

Australian Embassy Beijing:

• Phone: +86 10 5140 4111
• Emergency: +61 2 6261 3305

Step 4: Get Emergency Travel Document

What you'll need for embassy appointment:

• Police report from Step 2
• Passport photos (2-4, depending on embassy)
• Proof of citizenship (if available)
• Proof of travel plans
• Payment (varies by country)

Types of emergency documents:

• Emergency passport: Full replacement (takes longer, 1-2 weeks)
• Emergency travel document: Limited validity, for returning home (faster, 1-3 days)

Most embassies can issue emergency travel documents within 24-48 hours for urgent cases.

Step 5: Get Chinese Exit Permit

With your emergency travel document, you need Chinese permission to leave.

Visit Exit-Entry Administration:

• Located in major cities
• Bring emergency travel document
• Bring police report
• Bring travel itinerary
• Takes 1-3 working days usually

They'll issue:

• Exit visa/permit to leave China
• This replaces your lost Chinese visa

Timeline Expectations

Step	Time Required
Police report	1-2 hours
Embassy appointment	Same day to next day
Emergency travel document	1-3 days
Chinese exit permit	1-3 days
Total minimum	3-5 days

Reality: Budget 5-7 days to be safe. Flight changes may be necessary.

Costs

Item	Approximate Cost
Police report	Free
Emergency passport (US)	$165
Limited passport (US)	$165
Photos	¥30-50
Exit permit	Varies
Flight changes	Varies
Extra hotel nights	Varies

Total cost typically $200-500 plus any travel changes.

What Your Travel Insurance Covers

Good travel insurance may cover:

• Document replacement fees
• Additional accommodation
• Travel delays/rebooking
• Emergency assistance services

Call your insurance company:

• They may have 24/7 assistance
• Can help coordinate logistics
• May advance funds if needed

Preventing Passport Loss

Before Your Trip

• Photograph passport (store in cloud and email to yourself)
• Photocopy passport (carry copy separately from original)
• Note passport number separately
• Register with your embassy's travel program
• Leave copy with family at home

During Your Trip

• Use hotel safe for passport
• Carry photocopy for daily use
• Know where your passport is at all times
• Be cautious at airports, train stations
• Keep passport in inside pocket or money belt

You Usually Don't Need Your Passport Daily

In China, you rarely need to show your actual passport:

• Hotels check in with passport (keep it after)
• Train stations accept photos on phone
• Most purchases don't require ID
• Carry photocopy for identification needs

If Passport Was Stolen

Same process, but:

• Emphasize "stolen" (被盗 bèidào) to police
• Get theft report, not just loss report
• Report to embassy as theft
• Insurance claims may differ

Continuing Your Trip

With emergency travel document:

• You can fly home
• May not be able to visit other countries en route
• Some countries won't accept emergency documents for entry
• Direct route home is simplest

If your trip had multiple countries planned, discuss options with embassy.

Common Questions

Can I get a new full passport in China?

Some embassies issue new passports (takes 1-2 weeks), others only issue emergency documents for returning home.

What if I'm supposed to fly tomorrow?

Contact embassy emergency line immediately. They can sometimes expedite. You may need to rebook flights.

Can I stay in China with emergency travel document?

Typically no—it's for exiting China only. You'll need to leave.

What about my visa?

The exit permit replaces your visa for departure purposes. Any future trips need new visa.

What if I lose my passport at the airport?

Airport police can help. It complicates things significantly. Allow extra time and be prepared to miss your flight.

Emergency Contacts to Save

Before your trip, save these in your phone:

• Your country's embassy in Beijing
• Nearest consulate to your travel area
• Insurance company emergency number
• Hotel contact information
• Family member at home
• Photocopy of passport photo page

The Process Is Manageable

Losing a passport is inconvenient but not catastrophic. Embassies handle these cases regularly. Stay calm, follow the steps, and you'll get home.

Key mindset:

• Extra days in China aren't the worst thing
• It's a solvable problem
• Bureaucracy takes time but works
• Your embassy is there to help

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The China Survival Kit includes embassy contacts, emergency procedures, and document checklists for handling any situation.