Lost or Stolen Passport in China
Act promptly, but do not assume that an ordinary police report alone completes the process. National Immigration Administration guidance describes a sequence involving the local public security exit-entry administration, your embassy or consulate, a replacement passport or temporary travel document, and reissuance or replacement of the Chinese visa or stay document when required.
Act promptly, but do not assume that an ordinary police report alone completes the process. National Immigration Administration guidance describes a sequence involving the local public security exit-entry administration, your embassy or consulate, a replacement passport or temporary travel document, and reissuance or replacement of the Chinese visa or stay document when required.
Immediate priorities
- Move to a safe place and check whether other valuables or bank cards are missing.
- If theft or another crime occurred, contact police on 110 and follow local reporting instructions.
- Contact the local public security exit-entry administration and ask how to obtain the confirmation or certificate for the lost passport.
- Contact your embassy or consulate for its replacement-document process.
- After receiving the new passport or temporary travel document, ask the exit-entry administration what Chinese visa, stay permit, or reissuance step is required before onward travel.
The exact office, appointment method, evidence, photographs, translation, and processing sequence can vary. Call NIA's 12367 immigration service if you need current local guidance.
What to gather
Bring or securely retrieve as much of the following as possible:
- a copy or clear image of the lost passport identity page;
- a copy of the Chinese visa, entry stamp, residence permit, or arrival record;
- police or loss-report documents already issued;
- recent passport photographs if requested;
- proof of identity or citizenship accepted by your embassy;
- travel bookings and proof of urgent departure, if relevant;
- accommodation registration evidence and a local contact number.
Do not publish full passport copies or document numbers on social media while seeking help.
Embassy or consulate stage
Each country sets its own requirements for an emergency passport or travel document. Check the official mission website and use its emergency channel where appropriate. The mission may require an appointment, police or exit-entry loss certificate, identity evidence, photographs, fees, and proof of travel.
A new travel document does not automatically recreate the Chinese permission that was in the old passport.
Chinese visa or stay-document stage
NIA's service guidance states that a person applying for visa reissuance after a passport is lost or stolen may need a confirmation of reporting the loss or an official note from the embassy or consulate, together with a valid new passport or other international travel document. The responsible exit-entry authority reviews the application and may request additional materials.
Do not go directly to the airport assuming that the replacement passport is sufficient. Confirm whether a replacement visa, stay permit, or other exit-entry record is needed and allow time for processing.
Hotels, trains, and flights while documents are missing
Ask the police, exit-entry authority, and your embassy which temporary documents can be used for accommodation and domestic travel. China Railway's official guidance recognizes several document types in specified circumstances, including a passport-loss report certificate and temporary international travel documents with the necessary Chinese visa or stay certificate attached, but staff must apply the current rules to your case.
Contact airlines before changing or buying a ticket because the name and document number may need to be updated.
Insurance and security
Notify your insurer if the policy covers document replacement, emergency transport, or additional accommodation. Keep official receipts and reports. Cancel missing bank cards and review account activity. If a phone was stolen, protect email, payment, and cloud accounts before using remote erase.
This guide cannot determine which replacement document will be issued or how long the case will take.
Official sources
- NIA life-service guidance for a lost passport: https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147428/n147498/n147780/n147970/c159250/content.html
- NIA guide on visa extension, replacement and reissuance: https://s.nia.gov.cn/mps/bszy/wgrcrjEn/e-sqwgrqz/202201/index.html
Last reviewed: 17 July 2026.