Lost Passport: Replacement Steps for Foreigners in China

Go to the police station where the passport was lost and report the loss. You will receive a report-of-loss certificate (报失证明), which is required for the following steps.

📍 Shenzhen: In Shenzhen, after losing your passport you will need to apply for a "Lost Passport Certificate for Foreigner" at the Entry-Exit Administration of the Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau, and within 30 days after that, complete visa application procedures.

Apply for a new passport at the embassy or consulate of your country in China. Contact your embassy or consulate for the specific application requirements and processing time.

After receiving the new passport, go to the police station of your place of residence to update your accommodation registration information.

Within 10 days of receiving the new passport, go to the exit-entry administration agency of the public security organ at your place of residence to re-apply for your visa or residence permit.

If you cannot obtain a replacement passport from your country's embassy or consulate in China (for example, because the document was lost, damaged, or stolen), you may apply for a Foreigner's Exit-Entry Document (外国人出入境证) as a substitute for a passport. Applications are accepted by exit-entry administration agencies of public security organs at the prefecture (city) level or above. You must apply in person and attend an interview, submit the visa/entry-exit document application form with one photo, and provide the report-of-loss certificate, a note from your country's embassy or consulate, or a temporary identity document used in place of a passport. The decision is made within 30 working days of acceptance, and the document must be collected in person with the acceptance receipt.