If you lose your passport while travelling in Pakistan, do three things in order: get a police report at the nearest station, tell your embassy or high commission in Islamabad (or, if it is a Pakistani passport, the nearest Regional Passport Office), and apply for a replacement or an emergency travel document. The police report comes first because embassies and insurers both ask for it.
The steps differ depending on whose passport it is. This guide covers a foreign passport lost in Pakistan, and a Pakistani passport lost inside the country or by an overseas Pakistani on a visit. If you have lost your national ID card instead, see our guide to losing your CNIC while travelling.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| First step | Report to the local police and keep a copy of the report |
| Foreign passport | Contact your embassy or high commission in Islamabad |
| Pakistani passport | Any Regional Passport Office, whatever your CNIC address |
| Emergency document | Foreign missions issue emergency travel documents |
| Also do | Tell your hotel, cancel any cards kept with the passport, tell your insurer |
First: look, then report
Search the last places you were: hotel room, car, restaurant, the jeep or coach. Ask the hotel reception and driver. If it is not found within a few hours, treat it as lost.
- Go to the nearest police station and ask for a report of the loss or theft. Ask for a copy and an incident or report number. For a theft, ask them to record what else was taken.
- Photograph or note the passport number, your visa details and the report number. A copy or photo of the passport saved on your phone or email makes every later step easier, so if you are still planning your trip, save one now.
- Tell your hotel. Foreign guests are registered by hotels, and the hotel's record can help confirm your identity and visa. See our guide to hotel registration for foreigners.
- Contact your insurer if you have travel insurance, since a claim needs the police report. Our guide to travel insurance for a northern areas trip explains the cover to look for.
If you are in a remote area, get the report at the nearest police post or from the tourist police, and go on to the nearest city. Do not wait until the end of your trip.
If it is a foreign passport
Your embassy is the body that replaces your passport. The British High Commission, for example, is in the Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad, with a deputy high commission in Karachi, and British citizens can apply online for an emergency travel document if a passport is lost, stolen, damaged or expired. Other countries have similar arrangements, and most embassies for Pakistan are in Islamabad, with some consulates in Karachi and Lahore.
Steps:
- Contact your embassy or high commission by phone or its contact form, with the police report number, and ask what they need. Most ask for photos, proof of identity and travel details.
- Apply for an emergency travel document if you cannot wait for a new passport. This is usually a one-journey document to get you home or to your next country.
- Ask what else you need before leaving. Your embassy should tell you whether you need any immigration or visa paperwork so that you can leave Pakistan with a replacement document. Ask about this at the start, since it is the step travellers most often miss.
- Expect embassy appointments rather than walk-ins, at least in the case of the British High Commission, where public access is by appointment.
If you are in the north, you will probably need to travel to Islamabad. Allow for that in your plans, including extra hotel nights, and check flights and roads first.
Our guide to NOCs for foreigners in Pakistan explains the paperwork that some areas require, which is worth knowing if your trip continues.
If it is a Pakistani passport
The rules are set by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI&P), and they are not complicated:
- File a police report with the local police, mentioning the lost passport number. If you do not know the number, the lost machine-readable passport number can be obtained from the nearest Regional Passport Office with a written application and a copy of your CNIC or NICOP.
- Apply at any Regional Passport Office, whatever the address on your CNIC. Overseas Pakistanis can apply at Pakistani missions abroad.
- Pay the higher fee. The DGI&P charges double the standard fee for a first loss and four times for a second. A third loss goes to the Directorate General for approval.
- Choose your delivery speed. The DGI&P lists urgent delivery at 5 working days, normal at 21 and fast-track at 2 working days in 47 cities.
- If you need to return abroad urgently, Pakistani missions can issue an emergency travel document. That is the route if you are outside Pakistan.
Fees change, so check the current amount on the DGI&P website or at the passport office. Bring your CNIC or NICOP, and any copy of the lost passport.
What to prepare before a trip
- Keep a photo of your passport photo page, visa and entry stamp in your email and on your phone.
- Carry the originals in a different bag from your cash if you can.
- Write the phone numbers of your embassy and insurer down on paper.
- Leave a copy with someone at home.
Is it a serious problem?
It is a hassle, but a solvable one. The difficult parts are time and distance: if you lose a passport in Skardu or Hunza, the replacement process runs through Islamabad, and you may lose several days. The way to reduce that is copies and a sensible sequence: police report, embassy, emergency document. Our FAQs answer other common questions.
Frequently asked questions
What do I do first if I lose my passport in Pakistan?
Report it to the local police and ask for a copy of the report. Then contact your embassy or, for a Pakistani passport, a Regional Passport Office.
Can I fly out of Pakistan without a passport?
You need a valid travel document. If you cannot get a new passport in time, your embassy can issue an emergency travel document, and you should ask what immigration paperwork you need before leaving.
Do I need to go to Islamabad?
For a foreign passport, usually yes, since most embassies are there, though some countries also have offices in Karachi or Lahore. Ask your embassy first, as some steps can start online.
How much does it cost to replace a lost Pakistani passport?
The DGI&P charges double the normal fee for a first loss and four times for a second. Check the current fee at a Regional Passport Office.
How long does it take?
For a Pakistani passport, the DGI&P lists urgent delivery at 5 working days, normal at 21, and fast-track at 2 working days in some cities. For a foreign passport, timing depends on your embassy.
Will travel insurance cover a lost passport?
Many policies cover the cost of replacement and extra expenses, but they generally require a police report. Check your policy.
