China Handbookby Mobi & Toro

Lost passport — what to do

Report the loss, get a new travel document from your embassy, then sort out your stay with immigration.

Last checked · reviewed monthly

Losing your passport is stressful, but it's a well-known process. Do these in order. Exact procedures vary by city, so confirm each step with the office involved.

  1. Report the loss to the police. Go to the local public security exit-entry office or a police station. Ask for a written report of the loss. Show the lost passport card if you need help.
  2. Contact your embassy or consulate in China. They'll issue a new passport or an emergency travel document. Ask what they need — usually the police report, photos and a copy of your old passport if you have one.
  3. Go back to the exit-entry administration with your new document. You'll need to sort out your permission to stay or leave China, since your old visa or entry stamp was in the lost passport.
  4. Tell your airline and hotel. Your flight booking and hotel registration are linked to your passport number.

Also

  • Update your 12306 account if you have train tickets booked with the old passport.
  • Payment apps verified with your passport may ask you to verify again later with the new one.

Official sources