Lost your passport while abroad? Stay calm. Here are 5 updated steps to recover quickly and keep your trip on track.
By Karen Pearson | Originally published in 2018, updated for 2025
5 Smart Steps to Recover and Keep Traveling
Losing your passport while abroad is a travel nightmare — but it happens more often than you think. Whether it’s misplaced, stolen, or hiding in your jacket the whole time (we’ve all been there), here’s a simple, updated action plan to get back on track quickly and with as little panic as possible.
1. Be Prepared Before You Leave
Even in 2025, the best fix is still prevention. Before your trip:
- Take a clear photo of your passport and store it securely (e.g. encrypted cloud folder, password manager, or Google Drive).
- Print a copy and keep it in a separate location from the original.
- Note the nearest embassy contacts for each country you’re visiting.
Bonus tip: toss a couple of passport-sized photos into your suitcase. You’ll need them for emergency reissue.
2. Stay Calm & Thoroughly Retrace Your Steps
Most “lost” passports aren’t stolen — they’re sitting in a day bag, coat pocket, or hotel safe. Stop and think:
- When did you last use it?
- Were you rushing through airport security or switching hotels?
- Check every compartment of your luggage.
Take a beat, go somewhere quiet, and calmly do a full gear sweep.
3. Call or Visit Your Embassy or Consulate
If your passport truly is gone, it’s time to contact your embassy. Google the nearest Canadian (or your country’s) consulate, or check your digital emergency file.
Some embassies allow you to book an appointment online, and many now offer same-day emergency passports for urgent returns. Timing matters — weekends and holidays may slow things down.
4. File a Police Report (If Required)
In some countries, you'll need a police report to prove the loss or theft before getting a new passport. This varies by country, but generally involves:
- Visiting a local police station
- Filling out a report (bring ID if possible)
- Getting a signed copy for your embassy
Even if not required, it helps for insurance claims or if fraud occurs.
5. Be Flexible, Polite, and Patient
This is the golden rule of lost passport recovery. You're tired. You’re frustrated. But kindness and patience go a long way at embassies and border crossings.
Yes, you may need to adjust your return flights or reroute your trip, but you will get home.
Final Thought
Losing your passport isn’t the end of your trip — just a temporary detour. Stay calm, follow these steps, and know you’re not alone. Thousands of travelers deal with this every year, and they all make it home. You will too.
Safe travels — and keep a copy of your passport in the cloud. Trust me.
