What to Do If You Lose Your Passport in Canada

Losing your passport in Canada can be stressful, particularly when it involves a foreign visitor, international student, or foreign worker. Nevertheless, it is possible to take the necessary precautions and secure yourself and order a new travel document within the shortest time possible.

Step 1: Report the Loss Immediately

Once you know that your passport was lost, you are supposed to report the lost passport:

Provided that you are a Canadian citizen, you should report the loss to Passport Canada as quickly as possible.
In case you are a foreigner, report the loss to your country’s embassy or consulate or the consulate of your country in Canada.

In case of suspicion that your passport has been stolen, you should report it to the police in the area. A police report is not mandatory for replacing a passport or visa, but it can be helpful if the passport was stolen or if identity theft is a concern.

Step 2: Contact Your Embassy or Consulate

In case you are not a Canadian citizen, call your embassy or consulate as soon as possible. Most embassies can issue:

A replacement passport, or
An emergency travel document if urgent travel is required.

You will usually be asked to provide:

Proof of identity (such as a photocopy of your passport, national ID, or driver’s license)
Passport-sized photos
A police report (if available)
Completed application forms and applicable fees

The processing time differs according to the nationality and the category of the issued document.

Step 3: Check Your Immigration Status in Canada

Losing your passport does not affect your legal status in Canada, as long as your study permit, work permit, or visitor record remains valid. You must, however, make sure your immigration documentation is in order, including:

A visitor record
A study permit
A work permit

While study permits and work permits are separate documents, any Canadian visa that was in your lost passport must be re-applied for once you receive a new passport.

Permanent residents should note that losing a passport does not affect their PR status; however, a valid passport is still required for international travel, and a PR Travel Document may be needed to return to Canada

Step 4: Replace Lost Canadian Visas or Permits

In case you already had a Canadian visa, say a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), that has been lost with your passport, you have to apply again for a visa once your replacement passport is received. Canadian visas cannot be transferred from a lost passport to a new one.

In case you are going out of and back to Canada, remember to have all the necessary documents changed before you travel.

Step 5: Take Preventive Measures

Having reported the loss, seek measures to defend yourself:

Monitor your personal information for potential identity theft
Keep both digital and paper copies of your new passport
Store your passport securely when traveling

Final Advice

To lose a passport is quite a hassle in Canada, but it can be sorted out in case one takes quick action. Immediately report the loss, call your embassy or Passport Canada, and ensure that your immigration status is up to date.

To ensure the best and most current advice, you must always use the advice of your embassy, Passport Canada or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

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