Lost and Stolen Passports, Visas, and Arrival-Departure Records (Form I-94)

Overview

Passports, Visas, and Arrival/Departure Records (Form I-94) are official travel documents that foreign citizens coming to the United States (U.S.) must have in their possession to show their country of citizenship and legal status in the U.S.

Notice: New Electronic I-94 Process - From April 30 through May 25, 2013, CBP will roll out a new electronic I-94 process at air and sea ports of entry. Under the new CBP process, a CBP officer will provide each admitted nonimmigrant traveler with an admission stamp on their passport. CBP will no longer issue a paper Form I-94 upon entry to U.S., with some exceptions. Learn more on the CBP website.

We encourage travelers to make a copy of their passport biographic page, U.S. visa and paper Form I-94, if provided, as soon as possible after their arrival in the U.S. If you are a foreign citizen temporarily in the U.S., and you lose your U.S. visa, you can remain for the duration of your authorized stay, as shown on your admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. You will need a valid passport to depart the U.S. and to enter another country. If you were issued a paper Form I-94 and it was lost or stolen, you must get it replaced immediately. There are a number of steps you need to take as follows:

Police Report

Go to the local police station and report your document(s) lost or stolen. If available, you will need to provide copies of the original documents. You will be issued a police report detailing the incident. Don’t forget to make an extra copy of the report for your own records.

Request Replacement of a Lost/Stolen Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94)

Replacement of a lost or stolen paper Form I-94 falls under the responsibility of Department of Homeland Security (DHS). To file for a replacement paper Form I-94, see Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Document at the DHS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website and see Arrival/Departure Record at the DHS, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.

Report your Passport Lost/Stolen to Your Embassy

Contact the local Embassy or consular section for the country of your citizenship for information on the procedure to replace a lost or stolen passport. Most countries have Internet web sites with contact information.

Report your Visa Lost/Stolen to the U.S. Embassy Abroad

To report your visa lost or stolen, fax the Consular Section or Consul General at the Embassy abroad which issued your visa. Go to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website to locate the fax number and contact information. Be sure to include your full name, date of birth, place of birth, address in the U.S., and an e-mail address (if available). Specifically state whether the visa was lost or stolen. If you have a copy of the passport or visa, fax this to the Embassy or consular section. Otherwise, if known, report the category of visa, and the passport number from the lost/stolen visa.

If you have already reported your visa lost/stolen to the U.S. Embassy abroad, and then you later find your misplaced visa, please note that the visas will be invalid for future travel to the U.S., and you must apply in person at the Embassy or Consulate abroad for a new visa.

Applying for a Replacement U.S. Visa

Lost or stolen U.S. visas cannot be replaced in the U.S. For replacement of a visa, you must apply in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. When applying for the replacement of a visa, you will need to provide a written account documenting the loss of your passport and visa. Include a copy of the police report.