Applying for an emergency travel document in China

Email the embassy or consulate-general in China as soon as possible: 

• the embassy in Beijing, or
• the consulate general in Guangzhou, or
• the consulate general in Shanghai

Include the following documents and information:

• a scan or photo of your lost or stolen passport or ID card. If you don't have one, include the following details as stated on your lost or stolen passport or ID card:
  • your full name;
  • your date of birth;
  • the name of the authority that issued the document (mayor of...., ambassador to.....);
  • the date of issue;
• the telephone number on which you can be reached;
• proof that you cannot postpone your journey, for example a travel itinerary, flight details, other reservations or a letter from your employer;
• your exact travelling route;
• your current location.

To leave China, you need both an emergency travel document and an exit visa. An exit visa can be obtained from the Chinese authorities. The application process takes about 5 working days. You can ask for your exit visa application to be handled with urgency. But you will have to give a good reason. For example, by showing that you have booked and paid for a ticket, or by submitting a medical certificate. In urgent cases an exit visa can often be issued within 2 working days.

Where to apply for an exit visa

Beijing

Foreign Affairs Office
Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau
No. 2 Andingmen East Street
Dongcheng District
Beijing
Tel. +86 (0)10 8401 5300

Shanghai

Exit-Entry Administration Bureau
Shanghai Public Security Bureau
1500 Minsheng Road
Pudong District
Shanghai
Tel. +86 (0)21 6854 1199

Guangzhou

Exit-Entry Administration Office
Guangzhou Public Security Bureau
698 Dongfeng East street
Guangzhou City
Guangdong
Tel. +86 (0)20 11183, extension number 6

The embassy or consulate-general will ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for permission to issue an emergency travel document. This usually takes between 1 and 3 working days. If you have not attached a scan or photo of your lost or stolen passport or ID card, the waiting time may be longer.

If the Ministry gives permission, the embassy or consulate-general will contact you to discuss where and when you can apply for your emergency travel document.

Reporting your passport or ID card as lost or stolen

While you wait for a response, you may report the loss or theft of your passport or ID card to the local police. This is not compulsory, but it can be useful. If you file a report, ask the police for written proof. You may need it for insurance purposes or to show the local authorities.

Bring the following documents with you when you make your application:

• a completed passport application form;
• a completed declaration stating that the travel document is missing (C2 Form);
• two passport photos that meet Dutch requirements. Find out where to obtain a passport photo in China;
• proof that you are a tourist or that you cannot postpone your journey;
• if you will be travelling by plane, train, bus or boat: tickets for the rest of your journey;
• if possible: a photo or scan of the passport or ID card that was lost or stolen;
• if possible: other identity documents or photos or scans of them;
• if possible: a police report stating that your passport or ID card was lost or stolen.

Under 18

If the emergency travel document is for a child younger than 18, their parent(s) or guardian(s) must give permission. The applicant must:

• bring photocopies of the passport or ID card of their parent(s) or guardian(s);
• get their parent(s)/guardian(s) to sign the passport application form or fill in a proof of consent.

The embassy or consulate-general will tell you when and where your appointment is. Bring all the documents listed above with you to your appointment. You will pay during the appointment. The overview of consular fees in China tells you how much an emergency travel document costs and which payment methods are accepted.

Once your application has been processed, your passport or ID card will be registered internationally as invalid. This means no one will be able to travel on it. If you find your passport or ID card at a later date, you won’t be able to travel on it either.

Emergency travel document

The embassy or consulate-general will tell you when and where you can collect your document. Bear in mind that an emergency travel document has a shorter validity period than a passport or ID card.

If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decides that you need a new passport or ID card instead, the process will take longer. This may happen if, for example, the country you are planning to travel to does not accept Dutch emergency travel documents. In that case you may have to wait for up to 4 weeks.

Exit visa

Your exit visa will be ready in about 5 working days. You can ask for your exit visa application to be handled with urgency. But you will have to give a good reason. For example, by showing that you have booked and paid for a ticket, or by submitting a medical certificate. In urgent cases an exit visa can often be issued within 2 working days.