Passport lost abroad - What to do? How can I safeguard against such loss?

The mere thought of losing Passport, money, credit card and other valuables in a strange country sends me the shiver. So we decided to undertake this project, the same can be found here. This offline article is a copy of the original article posted at our main website here: http://www.nationalconcerns.com. Please visit the website for the latest version of the file.

Let's go logical by doing first thing first.

Pre-Trip Planning11 tips from NationalConcerns.com before your start your travel

★ Before you leave home, make two copies of your passport identification page (Preferably coloured photocopy). Leave one copy at home with friends or relatives and carry the other with you in a separate place from your passport.

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★ I have stopped carrying important documents while I am out sight seeing. “I have scanned copies of the documents I can access via email on my phone if I need them. Once on a trip, I was stopped by the city police. My passport was lying in my hotel room locker. Showing them the scan on my phone worked fine". Scan your passport and relevant visa pages and upload to a secure online storage site that you can access from any online computer. I used Google docs to store both pdf and jpg versions. You can use the free service like dropbox, Evernote or iCloud for storing and retrieving the documents.

★ Email yourself information like your passport number (some internet cafes have terribly slow connections and may not be able to upload a scan of your passport) and the phone numbers on the backs of any credit cards you travel with in case you need to cancel them. I personally use an application called 1Password to store securely all my important documents, and which is available on all my devices and web. You can also use another travel oriented application as WorldMate. It's an Android application for travelers. It acts as your itinerary manager and stores all trivial, but important details such as your boarding ticket number, flight departure time and gate number, hotel booking and cab rental details, flight delay alerts and passport particulars.

★ It's also a good idea to bring along two or three passport photos; these should be identical 2" x 2" photographs taken within the last six months, featuring a front view of your face on a white background.

★ Be sure you also have another form of photo ID and a copy of your birth certificate (or another document to prove your citizenship).

★ Read about the scams and dangers in the area you are going. There are forums on Trip Advisor with some excellent information. WikiTravel often has warnings about the specific countries or cities you may be visiting.

★ Buy and use a hidden wallet capable of carrying your passport under your clothing. Or modify some clothing to carry and keep your passport hidden. Also pick backpacks over sling bags.

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★ Consider travel insurance. Pay close attention to all of the details of the policy. Also ask your homeowner insurance provider if your policy would cover theft while on a trip. “Most travelers think a travel insurance is expensive. But on paying a sum as low as Rs 2,000, you get an insurance cover of up to USD 2,50,000 for 30 days,” . Travel insurance covers loss of passport and luggage, flight delay, and medical emergencies.

★ Request a replacement debit card from your bank but do not activate it. Keep it apart from your current card so you still have fairly easy access to cash just by calling and activating your new card when you cancel the other one.

★ Money is a lure for muggers. Traveling without cash makes things easier, and leaves you worry-free and buy a forex card to use while footing larger bills. A forex card is a smart option since it lets you access money in the required regional currency. Unlike debit and credit cards, forex cards are cost effective and do not charge an extra three per cent as service charge when used. You are also spared the fluctuating currency rate, as the exchange rate gets locked in once you buy it. You need to submit a copy of your passport along with a fee of between Rs 100 and Rs 300 to acquire this card from a bank.

★ If you are not banking on the Internet, it’s a good idea to activate a net banking account. If you happen to lose all your money and cards, all you have to do is find a free Wi-Fi hotspot to easily make a fund transfer into a friend’s account, if you are traveling with one, to access your money.” Also you can block your card online.

I am sure if you follow these 11 tips, you will never be lost again in the country. However, if you do loose your Passport and other valuables follow these procedure:

In case your loose your Passport

First and foremost, verify that your passport is lost and not merely misplaced. Search your home, luggage, purses and anywhere where your passport may have been stored. Ask your travel partners and anyone who lives with you if they have knowledge of your passport’s location.

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1. If you do lose your passport while traveling abroad, file a police complaint and a complaint to the Passport Office (PO) or Indian Mission. Keep the original Police report, as the same will be required back home to obtain the new Passport.

2. The next step is to apply for a temporary passport from the Indian embassy. The procedure can take up to two weeks. The police complaint serves as an identity proof for bank and embassy formalities. This way you get your passport back.

3. What can I do if I have lost my passport and have to travel to India urgently due to an emergency like serious illness or death in the family?A: If you have lost your passport during travel, then you can come to India on the basis of "Emergency Certificate". For the issuance of "Emergency Certificate", you need to contact the respective mission/post of that country.

4. I lost my passport in the U.S. and have been sent to India on Emergency Certificate. Can I be issued a new passport? If yes, what all extra documents do I need to submit to get a passport?

A: In case of lost passport, you need to apply for reissue of passport. Following documents must be submitted along with the application:

•Proof of Present Address

•Proof of Date of Birth

•Affidavit stating how and where the passport got lost/damaged (called as Annexure 'L')

•Police report in original

•Self-attested photocopy of first two and last two pages, including ECR/Non-ECR page of old passport, if available.

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