Quick Answer: Lost Passport Abroad Requirements
If your South African passport is lost or stolen while you are overseas, the first two steps are to report it to the local police and to contact the nearest South African mission. You will normally need the police report to obtain a replacement travel document.
Do not delay because you are near the end of a trip. Airlines will not carry you without a valid travel document, and arranging one takes time you may not have. Requirements.co.za is an independent information website. It is not a government department, mission or visa agency, and it cannot issue documents or intervene in an emergency.
Who This Requirement Applies To
This guide is for South African passport holders whose passport has been lost or stolen outside South Africa.
For the replacement document itself, see Emergency Travel Document South Africa.
Eligibility Requirements
What you can obtain depends on your circumstances and how quickly you need to travel.
Applicant type
- An emergency or temporary travel document. Normally issued for return to South Africa, and often for a single journey.
- A replacement passport. Takes longer, and may not be practical if you need to travel soon.
- Where you are. Not every country has a South African mission, so you may need to reach one in a neighbouring country.
- Your immigration status locally. Losing a passport containing your visa may create a separate issue with the local authorities.
- Onward travel. A document issued for return to South Africa may not permit continued travel elsewhere.
Documents You May Need
Identity evidence is the difficulty when your main document is gone, which is why keeping copies matters before you travel.
Required proof
- Police report from the local authorities recording the loss or theft.
- Any copy of the lost passport, whether printed or stored digitally.
- Other identity evidence such as an identity document or driving licence.
- Photographs meeting the mission specification.
- Travel booking details and proof of payment of the applicable fee.
Steps to Apply or Prepare
Report the loss to the local police immediately and obtain a written report.
Contact the nearest South African mission, ask what it can issue and how long it will take, and follow its instructions on appointments.
Speak to your airline about the booking, and address the local immigration position if your visa was in the lost passport.
Costs, Processing Times and Validity
Fees are set by the mission. Timelines depend on the location and what is issued. An emergency document normally has limited validity and may be restricted to a single journey, so confirm what it permits before relying on it for onward travel.
Common Mistakes and Delays
Common mistake
- Not obtaining a police report, which is normally required.
- Assuming any South African mission can issue a full passport immediately.
- Travelling without addressing the local immigration consequences of losing a visa.
- Not keeping a copy of the passport before travelling.
- Leaving contact with the mission until the day of departure.
Where to Confirm Official Requirements
Confirm the process with the nearest South African embassy, high commission or consulate, and with the Department of Home Affairs. The Official Requirements Sources South Africa page links to the responsible bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do first if my passport is stolen abroad?
Report it to the local police and obtain a written report, then contact the nearest South African mission.
Can I get a new passport straight away?
Normally not immediately. Missions can often issue an emergency or temporary travel document more quickly than a full passport.
What if there is no South African mission in the country?
You may need to reach a mission in a neighbouring country. Ask the nearest mission for guidance on the correct route.
Can I continue my trip?
An emergency document is often issued for return to South Africa and may not permit onward travel. Confirm what it allows.
Where can I confirm the process?
Confirm with the nearest South African mission.