A passport is one of the most important documents for any traveler. It allows you to cross international borders and proves your identity and citizenship when abroad. Losing your passport or having it damaged while in another country can be an extremely stressful and scary situation.
Common concerns when this happens include being unsure of the proper procedures to follow, worrying about delays in obtaining a replacement, and being anxious about the costs involved. Many travelers aren’t familiar with the process and may fear they will be stuck abroad indefinitely.
The purpose of this blog post is to provide a helpful guide for anyone who loses their Pakistani passport or has it damaged while traveling. By outlining the step-by-step instructions for reporting the loss, obtaining the required documents, and applying for a replacement, this article aims to alleviate some of the common fears and make the process more easy.
What to Do When Your Passport is Lost
Losing your passport can be an incredibly stressful experience, especially when you are in a foreign country like Pakistan. The first and most important step is to immediately report the loss to the nearest police station.
Filing a report will prevent any unauthorized use of your missing passport. Be sure to obtain a detailed report from the police that includes the passport number and other key details.
This police report will be a crucial document needed later when applying for a replacement passport.
As soon as you realize your passport is lost, go straight to the local police station. File a report providing all the details – your name, passport number, place, and date where you think it was lost or stolen. The police will issue a document that you must carefully preserve.
This police report serves two important purposes:
- It prevents misuse of your lost passport for unlawful activities.
- It provides proof of loss that will be required to apply for a new passport.
When filing the report, be sure to request a detailed description of the loss incident. The report should include:
- Your full name and contact details
- Passport number of the lost document
- Date, time, and location where it was lost/stolen
- Any other circumstances around the loss
Having a comprehensive police report will make getting a replacement passport much easier. The Pakistani passport authorities will need to verify the loss before issuing new travel documents.
Fee Deposit for Lost Passport
When a passport is lost in Pakistan, the next step is to deposit a fee based on whether this is the first, second, or third time you have lost your passport. This fee must be paid before applying for a replacement passport.
First and Second-Time Lost Passport Fees
If your passport is lost for the first time, you will need to pay a fee that is double the normal passport application cost. For example, if a regular passport costs Rs. 3000, you would pay Rs. 6000 for your replacement passport after a first-time loss.
For a second-time loss, the fee increases to four times the normal cost. Using the example above, you would pay Rs. 12,000 for a replacement passport after losing your passport for the second time.
Third Time Loss Referral
If you lose your passport for a third time, your case will be referred by the Regional Passport Office to the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports in Islamabad. They will review your case and determine if another passport can be issued or if additional requirements need to be met.
This referral process aims to prevent fraudulent passport applications by those who repeatedly claim to have lost their passports. The Directorate will evaluate if there are valid reasons behind the multiple losses.
Required Documents for Passport Replacement
Obtaining a replacement passport in Pakistan requires submitting certain key documents. The first and most important is the original bank-paid fee challan, which serves as proof of payment of the requisite passport fee.
The amount varies based on the type of passport being applied for, such as normal, urgent, or fast track. The second vital document is a valid original CNIC or NICOP, along with a photocopy. This establishes the citizenship and identity of the applicant.
For government, semi-government, or autonomous body employees, a NOC or No Objection Certificate from their department is also required.
Additional Requirements
For dual nationals applying for a Pakistani passport, the original foreign passport along with a photocopy needs to be submitted as well. Lastly, the police report filed for the lost passport is essential.
It should mention the passport number of the previous lost passport. This helps establish the loss and prevents any misuse. The police report also facilitates obtaining the lost passport number from the Regional Passport Office, if required.
Having all these documents ready, per the guidelines, ensures a smooth application process for passport replacement in case of loss or damage.
The police report with the lost passport number is crucial for two main reasons:
- It registers the loss and prevents misuse of the missing passport
- It provides passport authorities with the previous passport details for verification
Keeping a copy of this report is advisable for future reference. Following the documentation guidelines diligently is key to efficient passport replacement in Pakistan.
Applying for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD)
In an emergency where you need to travel back to Pakistan but have a lost or damaged passport, acquiring an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) from the nearest Pakistan Mission abroad is essential. Here is a quick rundown of the procedure:
Applying at the Pakistan Mission
You will need to visit the Pakistan Mission in the country you are in and submit an application for an Emergency Travel Document or ETD. This application requires your CNIC, copies of the police report and original passport (if damaged), and the fee deposit slip.
Issuance of ETD
After verifying your documents, the Pakistan Mission will issue an ETD within 24 hours in most cases. This single-journey document allows you to travel back to Pakistan within its short validity period.
Importance of Preserving Documents
Make sure to preserve the ETD, along with copies of all submitted documents and the police report. You will need these for any future passport applications or other consular services.
Conclusion
Losing your passport in Pakistan can be a stressful and confusing experience. However, following the step-by-step guidelines outlined in this blog post, you can get through the process efficiently.
First and foremost, stay calm. Panicking will only make the situation more difficult. As soon as you realize your passport is lost or damaged, file a report at the nearest police station. This will prevent fraudulent use of your travel document. Make sure to obtain a detailed report from the police that includes your previous passport number.
Next, pay the required fee at an authorized bank based on whether this is your first, second, or third time losing your passport. Provide the original bank challan when applying for a replacement passport. You may also need to submit other documents like your CNIC, employee NOC if applicable, and foreign passport copy for dual nationals.
If you need to travel urgently, acquire an Emergency Travel Document from the nearest Pakistan mission abroad. This temporary passport will allow you to return home until your replacement is issued.
