Lost your passport in Korea? What to do, step by step

Losing your passport is stressful, but the process is clear. Start as soon as you notice it is missing.

1. Check the obvious places

Call your hotel and the last places you visited. If you think you left it on the subway, in a taxi or at a shop, see lost phone or wallet, because the same lost-and-found systems apply.

2. Report it to the police

Go to the nearest police station or police box and report the loss. Ask for a police report or proof that you reported it. Your embassy will usually need this. If you need an interpreter, call 1330 and they can help over the phone.

3. Contact your embassy

Your country’s embassy in Seoul can issue a replacement passport or an emergency travel document so you can fly home. Look up the consular section on your embassy’s website. Bring:

• the police report
• a copy or photo of your lost passport, if you have one
• passport photos
• your flight details

4. Before you fly

Tell your airline about the new document. Your embassy can tell you whether you also need to visit the immigration office before you leave Korea.

Tip: prepare before your trip

Keep a photo of your passport’s photo page in your email or cloud storage, and a printed copy in a different bag. It makes this whole process much faster.

Prices, timetables and rules in Korea change often. We check this guide regularly, but please confirm details with the official sources linked above before you travel.