Obtain an emergency travel certificate from an Indian Mission abroad when your passport is lost or stolen.
Jurisdiction
Issued by Indian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate in the country where the applicant is stranded; valid for single-journey return to India only
Who applies
Indian citizens whose passport has been lost, stolen, damaged, or expired while abroad and who need to travel back to India urgently when a replacement passport cannot be issued in time
Typical time
1–5 working days depending on the mission and urgency of travel; faster in genuine emergencies (same-day possible); longer if background verification is needed
Fee
Approximately USD 25–30 or equivalent local currency (varies by country); paid at the Indian Mission; some missions may levy different amounts
| # | Document | Type needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Police report / FIR for lost or stolen passport | Original | Report from local police in the foreign country confirming the passport was lost or stolen; mandatory for loss/theft cases; report must include passport number if known |
| 2 | Proof of Indian citizenship | Original | Any available proof — Aadhaar card (physical or downloaded), PAN card, Voter ID, old Indian driving licence, bank passbook, school/college certificate — to establish that the applicant is an Indian citizen |
| 3 | Photocopy of lost/damaged passport (if available)(optional)Highly recommended but not always available in loss/theft situations | Self-attested Copy | If the applicant retained a photocopy of the lost passport, it helps the mission verify the passport number, date of issue, and other details for records |
| 4 | Two passport-size photographs | Original | Recent colour photographs (white background) for the Emergency Certificate document |
| 5 | Proof of travel (flight ticket or booking)(optional)Required or strongly preferred; some missions insist on confirmed ticket before issuing EC | Soft copy (PDF) | Onward flight ticket to India; EC is issued as a single-journey document — the mission needs to know the travel date |
| 6 | Statutory Declaration / Affidavit of loss | Original | Self-declaration before the Consular Officer about the circumstances of passport loss, damage, or expiry; sworn at the mission and signed in front of the officer |
Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.
Immediately file a police report at the nearest police station in the foreign country. Obtain a copy of the police report or crime reference number. This document is required by the Indian Mission. Without it, the EC process cannot begin for lost/stolen passports.
Call the mission's emergency/consular helpline or walk in to the mission. Explain the situation and provide your name, passport number (if known), current address in the foreign country, and travel intent. Many missions have 24-hour emergency helplines for distressed Indian nationals — get the number from the MEA directory or the mission website.
Visit the mission in person and fill the Emergency Certificate application form. Produce all available documents — police report, Indian ID proof, photographs, and travel ticket. The Consular Officer will interview you briefly to verify your identity, circumstances, and travel intent. Swear and sign the statutory declaration in front of the officer.
Pay the applicable consular fee (approximately USD 25–30 or local equivalent) at the mission cashier. Obtain the payment receipt. Mission fees and accepted payment modes vary — check the specific mission's website in advance.
The Emergency Certificate is a single-page travel document issued on security paper by the mission, bearing the applicant's photograph, personal details, and the authorising officer's signature and mission seal. It is valid for a single journey from the issuing country to India within a specified date. Collect the EC on the same day or as directed by the mission.
The EC is used for the return journey only and expires on arrival. Upon returning to India, apply for a fresh passport immediately through the Passport Seva portal (passportindia.gov.in). Carry the expired/damaged passport or report of its loss for the fresh application.
Indian Embassy / High Commission / Consulate, Ministry of External Affairs
Initial distress contact, interview, and EC issuance
Interviews the applicant to verify identity and circumstances, accepts the statutory declaration, and signs/issues the Emergency Certificate.
Indian Embassy / High Commission / Consulate
Approval — especially for high-value or sensitive EC cases
Provides final approval for Emergency Certificate issuance in cases involving doubt about identity or circumstances.
Find the nearest Indian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate contact details and emergency helpline numbers for any country.
Apply for a fresh Indian passport after returning to India on the Emergency Certificate.
General information on consular services, distress assistance abroad, and EC eligibility.
The Emergency Certificate allows only a single journey back to India. It cannot be used for onward international travel, transit, or re-entry into the foreign country. Obtain any required transit visas before departing the issuing country.
A few airlines unfamiliar with the Emergency Certificate may hesitate to board the passenger. Carry the Consular Officer's contact details and ask the mission to provide a confirmation letter alongside the EC.
If all Indian ID documents were also lost with the passport, the verification process takes longer. The mission may contact family members or government databases in India (Aadhaar, Voter roll) to confirm identity. Carry digital copies of documents in cloud storage as a precaution.
If the flight route to India passes through a country that requires transit visa for Indian nationals, the EC does not substitute for that visa. Plan a direct or visa-exempt transit route.
The EC is only for the return journey; it has no further validity after landing in India. Applying for a fresh passport without delay is critical to avoid being stranded domestically without valid travel documents.