May 13, 2020
Visa tips

What To Do if Lost or Stolen Passport in Vietnam

Your passport and Vietnamese visa are important documents during your trip in Vietnam.

In case of lost or stolen, you are advised to follow the following steps:

  • 👉Obtain a police report;
  • 👉Apply for a new travel document from the Embassy or Consulate General;
  • 👉Obtain an exit or replacement visa in order to leave Vietnam.

Step 1: Obtaining a police report

In Vietnam, if you have lost or had your passport stolen, you must first apply for a police report from the local police office closest to where the passport was lost or stolen. You cannot apply for a police report in a different location to where you have lost or had your passport stolen.

Ask : Why you should obtaining a police report for your lost or stolen passport in Vietnam ?

Answer : Vietnamese immigration authorities will only accept a Vietnamese police report in order to process an exit or replacement visa.

It is recommended that you seek assistance to obtain a police report through your hotel, travel agent/group or other local in-country contacts. It is also recommended that you apply for your police report before applying for another travel document. You should also endeavour to obtain one copy of the police report as evidence for your claims against the relevant insurance company.

Step 2 : Applying for an emergency passport

To apply for an Emergency Passport, bring two identical passport-sized photos (Photo guide) and as many personal identification documents containing your signature and photo as possible (eg. a current Driving Licence) to the Consular Section of the Embassy or Consulate-General. You will be required to complete the “Passport Application – Overseas” Form.

You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas. For information on reporting and replacing your lost or stolen passport, visit the official website of your Embassy or Consulate-General. You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced.

Step 3 : Obtain your exit or replacement Vietnamese visa

As soon as your replacement passport is issued, the Embassy or the Consulate-General will provide you with a letter to the Vietnamese Immigration Department requesting their assistance to issue an exit or replacement visa in your new passport. Vietnamese authorities will not permit you to depart Vietnam until your exit visa is issued.

Documents required

  • The police report from the local police office closest to where the passport was lost or stolen
  • Letter from your Embassy or the Consulate-General to the Vietnamese Immigration Department in requesting for assistance to issue an exit or replacement visa in your new passport.
  • 2 passport-sized photos (Photo guide) for attaching on the form (Form NA5 for visa extension) you are required to complete at the office of Vietnam Immigration Department.
  • A fee will be payable to the relevant Immigration Department : US$10
  • Your new passport.

Where to submit for exit or replacement Vietnamese visa

in Hanoi city

After obtaining a new passport in Hanoi, you will need to proceed to the Vietnamese Immigration Department at 44 – 46 Tran Phu Street, Hanoi (website: https://immigration.gov.vn/) to apply for a new Vietnamese exit or replacement visa. The Immigration Department might ask you to lodge your application through your sponsoring organisation in Vietnam. Experience has shown that a new visa normally takes 3-4 working days to be issued.

in Ho Chi Minh City

After obtaining a new passport in Ho Chi Minh City, you will need to proceed to the Vietnamese Immigration Department at 333-337 Nguyen Trai St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (website: https://immigration.gov.vn/) to apply for a new Vietnamese exit or replacement visa. The Immigration Department might ask you to lodge your application through your sponsoring organisation in Vietnam. Experience has shown that a new visa normally takes 5-7 working days to be issued.

PERHAPS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

Vietnam is a totally safe country to visit. But to avoid getting sick, here are some of the things that you can do: Be mindful of the food and water – Vietnam is known for its delicious food.