Unexpected situations can happen while traveling overseas, and one of the most stressful scenarios is losing a personal document—especially your passport. Since a passport is an essential document for entering and exiting a country, losing it abroad can be a major issue. So, what should you do if this happens during your trip?
What to Do If You Lose Your Passport Abroad
Losing your passport while in a foreign country can be a tense situation, but with the right steps, it can be resolved efficiently. Here are the actions you should take:
Stay Calm and Don’t Panic
Panic can cloud your judgment and make the situation worse. The first thing you should do is stay calm. Take a deep breath and reassess whether your passport is truly lost.
Check your bags, hotel room, or the last place you visited. Also, ask your travel companions if they happened to see or hold your passport.
Report to the Local Police
Once you're sure the passport is lost, report it to the local police. After filing a report, you will receive an official police report, which is essential for processing a replacement passport.
Contact the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate
Next, get in touch with the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General in the country you're currently in. They will assist you in obtaining a Surat Perjalanan Laksana Paspor (SPLP) — a temporary travel document that serves as a passport replacement for a one-way trip back to Indonesia.
Contact information for the embassy or consulate can usually be found on their official websites or via a quick Google search.
Notify Your Airline or Travel Agent
If you’ve already booked your return flight, contact your airline for guidance. If you're traveling with a tour agency, inform them as well. They may provide instructions on the documents you need to return home, and what procedures to follow without a passport.
How to Apply for a New Passport (After Returning to Indonesia)
Once you’re back in Indonesia, you can apply for a new passport to replace the one you lost. Here's how:
Prepare the Required Documents:
- Police report from the country where you lost your passport
- Valid National ID (KTP)
- Family Card (KK)
- Birth Certificate
Passport Replacement Fees:
The cost for issuing a replacement passport is the same as a standard passport issuance, but with an additional fine for losing it:
- Non-Electronic Passport (5 years validity): IDR 350,000
- Non-Electronic Passport (10 years validity): IDR 650,000
- Electronic Passport (5 years validity): IDR 650,000
- Electronic Passport (10 years validity): IDR 950,000
- Same-Day Service (Optional): IDR 1,000,000
- Loss Penalty: IDR 1,000,000
If the loss occurred due to a force majeure (natural disaster, riot, etc., as verified by authorities), you will not be charged a fine.
Visit the Nearest Immigration Office
Once your documents are complete, you can visit the nearest immigration office without needing an appointment via the M-Paspor app. The office does not have to be the same one where your original passport was issued.
At the immigration office, follow these steps:
- Fill out the application form provided at the service counter and submit the required documents.
- Your documents will be reviewed by an immigration officer and recorded in an Official Report (BAP).
- The BAP will be forwarded to the Head of Immigration for approval.
- Once approved, you can proceed with payment and your new passport will be processed.
If the loss is deemed accidental or unavoidable, your replacement passport will be issued. However, if it's due to negligence or an unacceptable reason, the issuance may be delayed for 6 months to 2 years.
Wait for Your New Passport
Once the process is complete, your passport will be issued in about 4 working days. If you opt for the same-day service, you will receive it on the same day as your application.
