What to Do If You Lose Your Passport While Traveling in Korea: A Practical Guide for Foreign Visitors



A passport is more than just an identification document when traveling abroad. It is required for hotel check-in, boarding flights, communication services, and even simple identity verification during your stay. For many travelers, discovering that a passport is missing can be a moment of panic. Fortunately, Korea has a well-organized reporting system and embassy support network that allows foreign visitors to resolve the issue without major difficulty. This guide explains what to do, step by step, if you lose your passport while visiting Korea.






1. Double-check the places you visited

Before assuming the passport is lost, take a moment to verify the places you visited or where you might have placed it. Korea has a relatively high return rate of lost items, and it is common for belongings to remain untouched in public areas.


Useful places to check:

Areas where you last used the passport

Hotel room, bathroom shelves, or inside luggage pockets

Restaurant or cafe counters where you ordered

If you used a taxi, check your receipt or vehicle number to contact the company


Since many lost items are reported to the police or handed to staff, asking nearby employees can significantly increase your chances of recovering it.



2. File a loss report at the nearest police station


Once you are sure the passport is missing, you must report the loss to the Korean police. This is important to prevent identity misuse and to obtain an official report that your embassy will require.


How to report:

Visit a local police station or call 112

Bring any document that can prove your identity (passport copy, travel itinerary, hotel reservation, or flight ticket)

What you receive:


An official “Lost Passport Report” document, which is required to apply for a replacement or temporary passport at your embassy or consulate



3. Visit your embassy or consulate to apply for a new passport or a temporary travel document


After filing the police report, go to your embassy or consulate. Most embassies in Korea issue either a replacement passport or a temporary travel document that allows you to continue traveling or return home.


Common requirements:

Police loss report

Passport photo (photo studios are easily found in urban areas)

Flight information or travel schedule

Any form of identification such as a passport copy, visa copy, or other official ID


Processing time varies by country. Some embassies issue temporary travel documents within a few hours, while a new passport may take several days.



4. Travel using a temporary passport or emergency travel document


Once you receive your new document, your previous passport is no longer valid. At the airport, present both your temporary passport and the police loss report. Airlines will process ticket issuance based on the temporary document, and immigration officials will confirm your identity using both documents.


Temporary travel documents are generally valid only for returning to your home country, and you should exchange them for a standard passport once you return.



5. Keep a digital copy of your passport for future emergencies


To prevent delays in identification, keeping a digital copy of your passport is highly recommended.


Tips for storage:

Save a photo of the passport information page on your phone

Email a copy to yourself

Store it in cloud storage such as Google Drive or iCloud

Print a copy and keep it in your luggage


Having a copy does not replace the original passport, but it greatly speeds up the verification and reissuance process.




Summary: What to do if you lose your passport in Korea

Step Action Purpose

1 Check your recent locations Many lost items are returned in Korea

2 File a police report (112) Required for embassy processing

3 Visit your embassy or consulate Apply for a temporary passport or replacement

4 Use the temporary document to travel Present it with the police report

5 Keep a digital and printed copy Speeds up future verification


Losing a passport can feel overwhelming, but it does not need to ruin your trip. Korea has reliable systems that allow travelers to resolve the issue and continue their journey safely. With calm action and the proper steps, you can return home or continue traveling without unnecessary stress.








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