What to Do If You Lose Your Passport in China

Before permanently reporting the passport lost, search the last realistic places: hotel safe, front desk, taxi/ride-hailing car, train security tray, restaurant, bag pockets, and document folder. If theft is possible, secure your phone, payment apps, cards, and hotel room first. Take screenshots of bookings and any passport scans while you still have phone access.

Once a passport is reported lost/stolen to many authorities, it may become invalid even if it later turns up.

The reporting route can be city-specific. NIA guidance says foreigners should go to the local entry and exit administration authority to apply for a passport loss certificate and contact their embassy with that certificate. Shanghai's official FAQ points to the Exit-Entry Administration. Shenzhen's official guide says to report at the police station where the loss happened and then apply at Exit-Entry. If unsure, call 12367 or ask hotel staff to help confirm the local route.

Keep the report, receipt, case number, officer contact, and office address.

After you have the required local report or while you are arranging it, contact your embassy or consulate. U.S. State Department guidance says a lost passport abroad requires applying for a new passport at a U.S. embassy or consulate, usually in person; urgent travellers may receive a limited-validity emergency passport. UK guidance points British nationals to passport renewal/replacement or emergency travel document routes.

Embassies may not issue routine passports on weekends or holidays, except emergency assistance routes.

Prepare what you can: passport photo, passport scan or photocopy, ID from your home country, proof of citizenship if available, police/loss report, travel itinerary, hotel address, local phone number, and payment method for fees. If you cannot provide everything, still contact your embassy; consular staff can advise the practical replacement path for your case.

Nationality rules differ. Follow your own embassy's checklist over generic online advice.

A replacement passport or emergency travel document may not automatically solve the China immigration record. Shanghai's official FAQ says corresponding residence formalities should be completed at Exit-Entry within 30 days from the lost-passport report date. NIA service guidance also describes exit-entry permit routes in some cases where a passport cannot be reissued by an embassy in China. Ask Exit-Entry or 12367 what applies to your visa-free stay, tourist visa, student/work residence permit, or urgent departure.

Do this before airport day. Airlines and border officers may need proof that the China exit process is valid.

After receiving the new document, update your hotel or local residence registration. Shanghai's official guidance specifically mentions updating accommodation details at the hotel or nearby police station with the new passport number. Then check airlines, train bookings, hotels, attractions, insurance, and payment apps if they used the old passport number.

For trains, hotels, and attractions, carry both the new document and the official loss/replacement paperwork.

Before travelling again, reconfirm with your airline/train platform, embassy, and local Exit-Entry guidance if needed. Do not try to use a passport that was reported lost or stolen. For urgent onward travel, check whether the destination accepts your emergency document and whether China exit inspection will accept the paperwork for your situation.

Emergency documents can have destination restrictions; verify before buying a replacement flight.