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Emergency Travel

This page is for noncitizens in the United States who need to travel outside of the United States because of an emergency and are seeking a travel document to authorize their return.  

If you are already outside the United States and need to return, but do not have your reentry permit, Green Card, or advance parole document because it was lost, stolen, or destroyed, see Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) page. 

If you are currently inside the United States and need to leave the United States because of an emergency, you should know what documents you will need to reenter the United States. You also should understand whether leaving the United States could negatively affect your immigration status or pending applications for immigration benefits.  

If you are returning to the United States after temporary travel abroad, you generally must have in your possession either:  

• A valid entry document, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) or nonimmigrant visa; or  
• A valid and unexpired travel document, such as a reentry permit, refugee travel document, or advance parole document.  

You generally need to apply for and obtain a travel document before you leave the United States. You may request a travel document by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.  

For more information, see the Travel Documents page.

Expedited Processing of an Application for Travel Document

If you have a pressing or critical need to travel and must leave the United States by a certain date, we encourage you to submit a request to expedite your pending application at least 45 days before the date you intend to leave, if possible.  

You may ask us to expedite adjudication of your Form I-131, Application for Travel Document , by calling the Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma. (You can access Emma by clicking on the Ask Emma icon on the top right of this page.) If you have a USCIS online account and access to secure messaging, you may submit your request there by selecting “expedite” as your inquiry type. You will be asked to upload documents in your online account to support your request.  

You may ask USCIS to expedite the following types of travel documents:

• Advance parole documents for noncitizens in the United States seeking to return after temporary travel abroad (including advance permission to travel for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) long-term residents);
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) travel authorization documents;
• Reentry permits; and
• Refugee travel documents.

For more information, please visit the Expedite Requests page and the USCIS Policy Manual Expedite Requests guidance.  

Emergency Issuance of Travel Documents

If you are in the United States and have a pressing or critical need to travel outside the United States in less than 15 days, USCIS may issue an emergency travel document.  USCIS may issue an emergency travel document for an:

• Advance parole document; or
• TPS travel authorization document.  

Examples may include:

• A requestor who has a pressing or critical need to travel to obtain medical treatment in a limited amount of time.
• A requestor who has a pressing or critical need to travel due to the death or grave illness of a family member or close friend.
• A requestor who timely applied for a travel document and requested expedited processing, but their case remains pending, and they now must travel within 15 days for a pressing or critical professional, academic, or personal commitment.

To ask about emergency processing of a travel document, call the Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or request an appointment through My Appointment . If your situation qualifies for emergency processing, we will schedule an appointment for you with a local field office.

Required Documents

If you have an appointment with a USCIS field office for emergency issuance of a travel document, you should bring:

• A completed and signed Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, with any applicable filing fee (Note: Even if you already have a pending Form I-131, you still need to file a new Form 1-131, with fee, if applicable, during your local field office appointment.);
• Evidence to support eligibility for the travel document (see the form filing instructions);
• Evidence to demonstrate the pressing or critical need to travel (see the Expedite Requests page); and
• 2 passport-style photos.

Any documentation in a language other than English must include a full certified English translation. 

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What Should I Do if I Lose My Passport While Traveling?

You will have to replace the passport before returning to the United States. Contact the nearest  U.S. embassy or consulate  for assistance. Contact information for U.S. embassies and consulates is also available in our  country information  pages. Ask to speak to the Consular Section to report your passport lost or stolen.

You will have to appear in person at the U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for a new passport. If you are scheduled to leave the foreign country soon, please provide consular staff with the details of your travel. We will make every effort to assist you quickly. If there is not enough time to get you a regular passport, the Consular Section may be able to give you a limited-validity emergency passport, which may be valid for up to one year.

If a loved one tells you their U.S. passport was lost or stolen overseas, you can call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747. They will be able to help you put your loved one in touch with the closest U.S. embassy or consulate.

What Do I Need to Replace my Passport Overseas?

Please bring with you to the embassy/consulate:

• One  passport photo  (get it in advance to speed the process of replacing your passport)
• Identification (driver's license, expired passport, etc.)
• Evidence of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, photocopy of your missing passport)
• Travel Itinerary (airline/train tickets)
• DS-11 Application for Passport
• DS-64 Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport

Even if you cannot present all of these documents, consular staff will do their best to help you. They will help you get a new passport quickly. 

Police Report:

A police report is  not  mandatory but can help confirm the circumstances of the loss or theft. If you lose your U.S. passport, we recommend you tell local police. But you can skip the report if you are concerned about delaying your travel.

How Long is a Replacement Passport Valid?

Passports last ten years for adults, five for minors. Need a quick fix for urgent travel? Get a limited-validity emergency passport, which is valid for up to one year. You can exchange it for a full-validity one after your trip. You may also receive a limited passport if you have lost multiple passports or borrowed money from the State Department to fund your trip home. A consular officer can provide additional information.

Are Fees Charged to Replace Lost/Stolen Passports Abroad?

Replacement passports cost the same as any other passport. If you are unable to pay for a new passport, you can give the consular staff the names of people who might help. See our information about  Financial Assistance to U.S. citizens Abroad  and  Sending Money Overseas to U.S. Citizen in an Emergency.

If you have been a victim of a serious crime or disaster and cannot afford a new passport, you may be eligible for a free limited-validity emergency passport. If you want a full-validity passport, the regular fee applies for replacements.

Can the U.S. Embassy Issue a Replacement Passport on a Weekend or Holiday?

Most U.S. embassies and consulates cannot issue passports on weekends or holidays. All U.S. embassies and consulates have after-hours duty officers. They are available to assist with life-or-death emergencies of U.S. citizens abroad. Contact the nearest  U.S. embassy or consulate  after-hours duty officer for help. Do this if you have an emergency, need to travel, or have been the victim of a serious crime. In most cases, a replacement passport will be issued the next business day.

Can I travel if I find my passport after reporting it lost or stolen?

No. If you reported your passport lost or stolen, it is no longer valid for international travel. A foreign country may deny your entry if you try to use that passport. Or you might not be allowed to leave if you are already abroad. If you want to travel after reporting your passport lost or stolen, you need to apply for a new passport.

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