What To Do If You Lose Your Passport Abroad

It can happen in a split second, but it will cause problems big time: what to do when you lose your passport abroad?

Last year I had my purse pick-pocketed four weeks into a six month trip around Latin America. I’m usually pretty careful at keeping my currency safe and separate and therefore all I lost was the equivalent of £5 in cash and one cash card. A little bit of a pain yes, but no big deal. It did, however, make me think about what on earth I would do if I had all my worldly possessions taken from me in some far-flung corner of the globe.

Most travellers don’t experience any trouble whilst off on their adventures, but it is worth knowing the precautions to take before you go, while you are away, and what to do if you lose your passport abroad. Here are a few tips that will help to keep your travels as stress-free as possible.

Before you go

1. It’s best to take at least two forms of ID e.g. passport and driving/provisional driving license photo card.

2. Take 3 or 4 passport photos with you. You will need these should you lose or have your passport stolen abroad and require a replacement.

3. Photocopy (in colour) your ID e.g. the picture page of your passport and both sides of your driving license photo card. I usually laminate the photocopy of my passport. This can be done at your local library and is pretty cheap. Keep your copies safe in a waterproof folder in your backpack.

4. Depending on the destination(s) you are visiting, you may require certain visas or vaccinations to enter the country. In this case, it’s advisable to photocopy any pre-arranged visas and proof of vaccinations should you lose the original document. Keep these in a folder with your ID photocopies.

5. Scan all of the above-mentioned documents, as well as your birth certificate, and email to yourself. This way you should be able to access them from anywhere with internet connection.

6. Email yourself a copy of your flight tickets. This is much easier to do nowadays, since most airlines provide e-tickets.

7. When travelling, especially in developing countries, I tend to take a mix of money. It’s up to you to decide what to take and it also largely depends on where you are travelling to. On long trips to multiple destinations, I tend to carry the following:

• Credit card – for emergencies
• Debit card
• One or two pre-paid currency cards
• US$100 – US dollars are widely accepted so I tend to keep $100 stuffed somewhere in my backpack for emergency cash
• A small amount of local currency – I tend to take enough for the first couple of days, until I’ve had a chance to recover from jetlag and locate the nearest ATMs.

8. Make a note of the number to call in order to cancel your bank cards should you lose them. Keep this in a safe place – I usually email this to myself.

9. I usually make one of my parents a joint-account holder when I’m travelling for an extended period of time. I found this very useful when I needed to cancel one of my currency cards but they would only refund the money to me by cheque to my UK address – not very helpful when I was in Buenos Aires. My parents were able to cash the cheque and transfer the money to one of my other accounts for me to access.

1. Don’t keep all of your money in the same place. If going out for the day, take only the money you need for the day and leave the rest in a secure locker or safety deposit box at your accommodation.

2. It’s not wise to carry your passport around with you at all times. If there is somewhere safe and secure to do so, then leave it at your accommodation. Of course in some countries you are required to carry ID on you at all times. In this case I will usually carry my driving license on my person as well as a photocopy of my passport.

3. Depending on where I’m travelling to, I occasionally take a money belt that can be concealed underneath clothing. This makes it almost impossible for somebody to take your money without you knowing about it.

4. When travelling from place to place, or when in a position where your backpack is to be separated from you, make sure you keep all of your money and important documents on your person.

For example, when taking a coach from one city to another, backpacks are usually stored below or on the roof. To save yourself worrying every time the bus stops make sure that you are carrying anything you would miss if lost with you. For me this is usually money, passport and camera.