I have just recently gotten back from our Hongkong - Macau trip and though everything was fun and went seemingly well without incident, unfortunately the unlikely occurred and someone in HK stole my passport on transit from Sheung Wan MTR Station to Central Station most likely thinking that it was my wallet. The experience was quite nerve wracking and quite unpleasant as we were in transit from Macau to Hong Kong heading to the airport home in the Hong Kong International Airport. In today's article I shall run through the things that a Filipino should need to prepare for if in case you'll find yourselves in a similar situation while you are traveling abroad as a tourist.
Prior to flying off to your chosen destination here is a check list of things that you should have stored away digitally and as a photocopy in a safe and secure place in your luggage.
1. Photocopy of your passport and other government IDs - an online scanned image of these would also be great and it should be accessible anywhere you are.
2. Emergency phone numbers and hotlines of the places you are going to. Keep a paper and online version handy just in case.
3. Obtain the address of the Philippine Consulate, operating hours and phone numbers.
4. Always inform your loved ones and friends of where you shall be and keep in constant communication with them just in case an emergency situation occurs.
5. Travel Insurance is a must, though at times may seem like added expense but in times of trouble is beneficial.
6. Bring emergency cash and credit cards that you can use just in case of an emergency. Also check if your hotel has special rates for stay extensions or speak with your travel agency. In our case we found Agoda.com to be quite convenient in finding a place to stay in such short notice.
7. Bring passport sized photos of you along as the temporary travel documents that would be issued would require this.
Now if ever the unlikely does happen and you loose your travel document here are the things you would need to do:
1. Immediately report it to the authorities. You'll need their report and also to alert them that something foul has just happened.
2. Photocopy of your passport/government issued ID
3. Affidavit of loss (the consulate can provide this for you and unfortunately costs quite a sum of money - in HK I paid close to 500 HK dollars for the documentation and e Passport)
4. Passport sized photos - 4 pieces.
5. Ticket showing that you are on your way out of the country and back to the Philippines. If you have already missed your flight like what happened to me, you'd need to show your rebooked flight schedule as well. They'll need a copy in print format.
For renewal of the Passport once you get back to the Philippines will require the following items:
1. Affidavit of loss which is given by the Philippine Consulate of the country where you lost the Passport
2. Police report from the Country where you lost the Philippine Passport
3. Travel Document Provided by the Philippline Consulate with the Red Seal
4. Filled up Appointment Form from the DFA website.
5. Copy of your Government Issued IDs and 3 supporting IDs such as NBI clearance, Barangay Clearance, CTC, Police Clearance, etc...
6. Original Birth Certificate
7. Copy of your lost Philippine Passport if available.
After submission, DFA will require a 15 day clearance period prior to you being able to continue in the Passport Process. After which you shall go through the regular Passport application process and choose between regular 15 day waiting period and 7 day rush process.
It is definitely quite a hassle to loose one's passport while traveling abroad. Thus precaution is definitely better than having to go through all of these, but just in case you do at least from this point you'd be more than prepared to handle the situation.
Till Next Time....
-Metz-
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