Lost Passport While in U.S.: Emergency Travel Document Process
Lost your passport in America? Here's the step-by-step process to get emergency travel document and replacement passport from your country's consulate.
Quick Answer
File police report immediately, contact your consulate same day, apply for emergency travel document (3-7 days) or replacement passport (2-6 weeks), notify USCIS if passport contained visa stamps, and get replacement stamps when passport arrives. You can stay in U.S. legally with I-94 even without physical passport.
Key Takeaways
File police report immediately for lost passport
Contact home country consulate same day
Emergency documents: 3-7 days, replacement passports: 2-6 weeks
You remain legal in U.S. with valid I-94 and approval notices
Lost visa stamps require consular processing abroad to replace
Scan all documents and store in cloud to prevent future issues
Key Takeaways
File police report immediately for lost passport
Contact home country consulate same day
Emergency documents: 3-7 days, replacement passports: 2-6 weeks
You remain legal in U.S. with valid I-94 and approval notices
Lost visa stamps require consular processing abroad to replace
Scan all documents and store in cloud to prevent future issues
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Immediate Actions
Search thoroughly everywhere from last 24-48 hours. File police report with local police (consulates require this). Contact your consulate immediately. Notify employer and immigration attorney. Report to USCIS if passport had visa stamps.
Critical first 24 hours:
Search thoroughly
File police report
Call consulate (find on embassy website)
Notify employer/attorney
Secure passport photocopies if available
Police report protects against identity theft and is required by consulates.
Replacement Document Options
Emergency travel document: Issued in 3-7 days, valid 30-90 days, allows travel to home country only, requires proof of urgent need.
Regular replacement passport: Takes 2-6 weeks, full validity (5-10 years), allows multiple international trips, no urgency required.
Choose emergency document only if must travel within days. Otherwise, get regular replacement passport with full validity.
Consulate Application Process
Schedule appointment (many require appointments). Gather documents: police report, passport copy if available, government ID, passport photos (2-4), completed application form, proof of nationality.
Pay fees (typically $100-$300 for replacement, $50-$150 for emergency document). Processing: Indian consulate 3-4 weeks, Chinese 4-6 weeks, European 2-3 weeks.
Staying Legal Without Passport
Your status depends on I-94 and visa approvals, not physical passport. Access I-94 online at cbp.gov/i94 and print anytime. Keep multiple copies.
Documents proving legal status:
I-94 printout from CBP website
Visa approval notice (I-797, I-20, etc.)
EAD if applicable
Driver's license
Visa stamp photocopy if previously copied
You can work and live normally with these while awaiting replacement passport.
Replacing Visa Stamps
Lost visa stamps mean you cannot travel internationally and return. The underlying visa approval remains valid. To replace stamps, travel to consulate for new visa stamp using new passport and existing approval notice. Processing: 1-4 weeks including potential delays.
Scenario | Can Work? | Can Travel? | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
Lost passport, valid I-94 | Yes | No | Get new passport, then visa stamp |
Lost expired stamp | Yes if status valid | No | Get new passport first |
Status expiring soon | Until expiration | No | Renew status and passport |
Prevention Strategies
After replacement: Scan passport, visa stamps, I-94, approvals. Store in cloud. Print copies separately from passport. Take phone photos. Use hotel safes when traveling. Store at home in secure, consistent location.
Immediate Actions
Search thoroughly everywhere from last 24-48 hours. File police report with local police (consulates require this). Contact your consulate immediately. Notify employer and immigration attorney. Report to USCIS if passport had visa stamps.
Critical first 24 hours:
Search thoroughly
File police report
Call consulate (find on embassy website)
Notify employer/attorney
Secure passport photocopies if available
Police report protects against identity theft and is required by consulates.
Replacement Document Options
Emergency travel document: Issued in 3-7 days, valid 30-90 days, allows travel to home country only, requires proof of urgent need.
Regular replacement passport: Takes 2-6 weeks, full validity (5-10 years), allows multiple international trips, no urgency required.
Choose emergency document only if must travel within days. Otherwise, get regular replacement passport with full validity.
Consulate Application Process
Schedule appointment (many require appointments). Gather documents: police report, passport copy if available, government ID, passport photos (2-4), completed application form, proof of nationality.
Pay fees (typically $100-$300 for replacement, $50-$150 for emergency document). Processing: Indian consulate 3-4 weeks, Chinese 4-6 weeks, European 2-3 weeks.
Staying Legal Without Passport
Your status depends on I-94 and visa approvals, not physical passport. Access I-94 online at cbp.gov/i94 and print anytime. Keep multiple copies.
Documents proving legal status:
I-94 printout from CBP website
Visa approval notice (I-797, I-20, etc.)
EAD if applicable
Driver's license
Visa stamp photocopy if previously copied
You can work and live normally with these while awaiting replacement passport.
Replacing Visa Stamps
Lost visa stamps mean you cannot travel internationally and return. The underlying visa approval remains valid. To replace stamps, travel to consulate for new visa stamp using new passport and existing approval notice. Processing: 1-4 weeks including potential delays.
Scenario | Can Work? | Can Travel? | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
Lost passport, valid I-94 | Yes | No | Get new passport, then visa stamp |
Lost expired stamp | Yes if status valid | No | Get new passport first |
Status expiring soon | Until expiration | No | Renew status and passport |
Prevention Strategies
After replacement: Scan passport, visa stamps, I-94, approvals. Store in cloud. Print copies separately from passport. Take phone photos. Use hotel safes when traveling. Store at home in secure, consistent location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work without passport if I-94 valid?
Yes. Work authorization comes from visa status (I-797) and I-94, not physical passport. Passport only needed for international travel.
How long for replacement passport?
2-6 weeks typically. Emergency documents take 3-7 days but are temporary and limited.
Must I tell USCIS?
If passport had valid visa stamps, notify USCIS. Use Form I-102 to replace I-94 if needed. Visa approval (I-797) remains valid.
Can I travel home with lost passport?
No. Need valid passport or emergency travel document from consulate.
What if stolen, not lost?
Same process but emphasize theft in police report and to consulate. Consider identity theft monitoring.
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