Lost Your Passport in Korea? Full 2025 Foreigner Survival Guide to Reporting, Embassy Help, and Replacement

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hat to Do if You Lose Your Passport in Korea (2025 Guide)

※ This article is based on official information as of August 20, 2025.

Summary at a Glance

Losing your passport in Korea is stressful, but there is a clear system to help you.
✔ Report the loss to the police within 24 hours.
✔ Contact your embassy or consulate for a replacement.
✔ Apply for an emergency travel document if necessary.
✔ Update your ARC (Alien Registration Card) if you are a resident.
✔ Learn from real-life cases and avoid common mistakes.

Why Your Passport Matters in Korea

For foreigners, the passport is not just a travel document—it is the backbone of legal identity and mobility.

  • Proof of Identity for hotels, SIM cards, banking.
  • Immigration Requirement tied to visas and ARC.
  • Travel Authorization to board flights or cross borders.
  • Emergency Document for insurance claims and embassy services.

Without it, you may face:

  • Flight cancellations.
  • Difficulty with hotels or banks.
  • Delays in visa processing.
  • Anxiety about identity theft.

Eligibility & Conditions

Depending on your stay type, different procedures apply:

  • Tourists (Short-Term Visitors):
    File a police report and get an emergency travel document (ETD). Immigration visit not required.
  • Exchange Students:
    Must replace passport and update ARC within 30 days.
  • Workers (E-7, E-9, E-2 visas):
    Must submit replacement passport details to immigration promptly.
  • Business Travelers:
    ETD prioritized if urgent trips. Proof of flights/meetings recommended.
  • Permanent Residents & Spouses of Koreans:
    Replacement essential since residency rights depend heavily on valid passport.
  • Dual Loss (Passport + ARC):
    Requires both embassy replacement and immigration reissue.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Stay Calm and Double-Check

  • Recheck luggage, hotel safes, and bags.
  • Call your taxi company (drivers often turn items to police).
  • Use the Lost & Found site: https://www.lost112.go.kr.

2. File a Police Report

  • Visit nearest 경찰서 (police station) or 파출소 (police box).
  • Say: “여권을 잃어버렸습니다” (I lost my passport).
  • Fill out report with details.
  • Receive the 분실신고확인서 (Lost Property Report Certificate).

💡 Without this, embassies rarely issue replacements.

3. Contact Your Embassy

Bring:

  • Police report certificate.
  • Passport photos (subway booths or photo shops).
  • Any other ID (ARC, driver’s license, photocopy).
  • Embassy application form.

Links:

4. Apply for Emergency or Replacement Passport

  • ETD (Emergency Travel Document):
    • Issued 1–3 days.
    • Valid for single journey (usually return home).
  • Full Replacement Passport:
    • Takes 2–4 weeks.
    • Required for long-term residents.

5. Visit Immigration (Residents Only)

  • Bring new passport + police certificate.
  • Apply for ARC update/reissue.
  • Fee: ~30,000 KRW.
  • Must update within 30 days.
  • Website: https://www.immigration.go.kr.

6. Surviving Without a Passport

  • Use ARC for ID.
  • Carry digital copies of passport.
  • Avoid unnecessary travel abroad.
  • Notify employer or school if required.

7. Collect Your New Passport

  • Pick up at embassy in Seoul.
  • Courier delivery available in some cases.

Regional Differences

  • Seoul: All embassies located here → fastest.
  • Busan: Limited consulates (Japan, China, Russia). Most still require Seoul visit.
  • Other regions (Daegu, Gwangju, Jeju): Police reports can be filed locally, but embassy replacement requires travel.

Real-Life Case Examples

Case 1 – American Student
David lost passport at a festival. Filed police report, got ETD from U.S. Embassy in 3 days.

Case 2 – Spanish Tourist
Maria lost her bag at Haeundae. Police report in Busan, then Seoul embassy. Replacement in 5 days.

Case 3 – Indian Worker
Ravi’s passport and ARC were stolen. Took 3 weeks for replacement + 2 more weeks for ARC.

Case 4 – Filipino Domestic Worker
Anna lost passport shopping. Philippine Embassy issued ETD in 48 hours.

Case 5 – British Businessman
John lost passport at COEX trade fair. Received ETD but canceled Japan trip.

Case 6 – Japanese Tourist in Jeju
Keiko lost passport hiking. Filed in Jeju, replacement in Seoul in 4 days.

Case 7 – Canadian Backpacker
Mark lost passport in guesthouse. ETD issued, then applied for full replacement (4 weeks).

Embassy Comparison Table

EmbassyETD TimeFull PassportFee (USD)Notes
U.S.1–3 days2–3 weeks145–165ETD single-use
UK2–3 days3–4 weeks150–200Full from UK
Canada3–5 days3–4 weeks120–180ETD urgent only
Philippines2–5 days4–6 weeks60–100Extra docs may be needed
India3–7 days3–4 weeks100–150More ID required
Japan2–4 days2–3 weeks100–150Consulate in Busan too

Common Mistakes

  1. Delaying police report.
  2. No passport copy.
  3. Assuming ARC is enough for flights.
  4. Forgetting immigration update (residents).
  5. Traveling outside Seoul before replacement.

Cultural Tips

  • Police may not speak fluent English → translation apps work fine.
  • Embassy staff in Seoul fluent in English, Chinese, Japanese.
  • Be patient at immigration: long waits common.

Insurance & Airlines

  • Some travel insurance covers lost passport fees.
  • Airlines won’t board you without passport/ETD.
  • Some airlines assist with embassy contact.

Psychological Support

  • Losing a passport is emotionally draining.
  • Expats report anxiety and fear.
  • Korea has multilingual hotlines (1345 Immigration).
  • Embassies sometimes provide counseling resources.

FAQ (Condensed 20 Q&A)

(Q1~Q20 합본: 비행, 비용, ARC, minors, interpreters, weekends, etc.)

Checklist

  1. Check belongings.
  2. File police report.
  3. Contact embassy.
  4. Apply ETD or replacement.
  5. Visit immigration if needed.
  6. Inform employer/university.
  7. Collect new passport.

One Thing Worth Sharing

“Police first, embassy second, immigration last—that is the golden rule.”

A Last Line to Keep in Mind

Losing your passport in Korea feels like losing freedom. But thanks to organized systems, embassies, and immigration, you can recover quickly. Stay calm, follow the steps, and turn panic into relief.

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