August 3rd, 2011
Imagine this: You've just had the holiday of your dreams. You've done everything you're meant to - mingled with the locals, almost had Delhi belly, seen all the sights and sounds and taken enough pictures and videos to fill up all the storage space of all 2000 of your Facebook friends' accounts.
You've bought everyone a present, booked in your luggage and have already editing the moments that are too embarrassing out of your stories, when you open your money-belt - safely buckled around your waste - to give the nice lady at the check-in counter your passport. Gasp and horror, it's gone! You frantically rummage through all your pockets and bags, checking them twice, take off your shoes and flight socks and shake them out, but alas... your passport is indeed GONE!
You knew that hot waiter was too good to be true. And what about the cute taxi driver? The old man that kept coming into your personal space-bubble behind you in the queue. Was he just a pervert or is he now the proud owner of your ticket home.
Sound familiar? I can't think of anything that would put a bigger black mark on an otherwise perfect holiday than losing a passport.
Getting a new passport may be a bother, especially in countries without South African embassies, and may take a bit of time, so tip number one: Budget for emergencies, and don't spend it on that last got-to-have-souvenir that will leave future generations refusing to bring potential spouses to your house.
In countries with South African embassies or consulates:
- Immediately report the stolen passport to the local police and get a case number and a copy of the report
- Take the copy to the nearest SA embassy or consulate. You will need it to apply for a temporary passport or emergency travel document
- You will also need to complete an application form
- Need to be fingerprinted
- Produce evidence that you're a South African citizen - so keep your birth certificate, identity document, driver's licence or a certified copy of your passport in a separate safe place. Also keep certified copies of the relevant visas in your passport, as well as certified copies of your travel insurance, traveller's cheques and credit card.
- Provide two id-sized photo's
- Have enough money to pay the required fee
In countries without SA embassies or consulates:
Go to the nearest foreign embassy. They would be able to put you in touch with the relevant people to start the application process for a new passport.
South African citizens travelling overseas can also register online on ROSA - Registration of South Africans Abroad. The information allows the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to assist people in the event of an emergency.
Look after your passport, a new one is a bit on the expensive side. Passports for adults and minors cost R400. It shouldn't take more than three weeks to arrive. A temporary passport is R140 and should arrive within one week, and an emergency passport should be issued within one day. It is also costs R140.
Have you lost your passport while travelling overseas - why not share you horror story below to help other travellers be more aware.
User Comments
YOPUEXsDzSIetUSubmitted by Titia on Thu, 09/06/2012 - 05:58. |
I raelly wish there were more articles like this on the web. |
Be preparedSubmitted by Toleranne on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 13:40. |
In reaction to "JP/Unhelpful" - did you take the trouble to report your bad experience, giving names, dates and details, to the Department of Foreign Affairs (now DIRCO)? If not, how do you expect to have your problem fixed? Complaining into thin air just lets you feel good, poor victim, but makes no constructive contribution to building a better service. |
Saudi Arabia/BahrainSubmitted by carl on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 14:55. |
Wait until you leave Saudi Arabia, and do a uturn to go back in and they tell you your visa has expired... and all you have is the clothes on your back, a prepaid cellphone, a credit card.. and when you get to the document specialists in Bahrain, only to find out that their cut off is 2.00pm in the afternoon, and it is now 2.10pm, and it's the begining of a weekend... The nightmare continues when you go back on their Monday, only to have your 30 day entry/exit visa rejected.. and then you need to see the consul general, because all you want to do is go back in so that you can get your fw earthly possessions so that you can go home to JHB... |
unhelpfulSubmitted by JP on Sun, 08/07/2011 - 23:55. |
We had a case some years ago where our passports were stolen, we eventually got hold of the SA consul in Jarkata, who proved to be the most useless and unhelpful lot, I have a European passport that was sorted out by another European countries consul in 2 days, my partner spent 2 weeks trying to get things to work when by chance our passports were returned, on phoning the consul when we were about to leave she was told that her application had not arrived as yet despite dhl confirming that it had been delivered. As with the rest of our dealings with them they proved to be useless lazy liars - and before anyone says affirmative action - this was not! If you need assistance overseas don't cont on the fat cat SA diplomats they are too busy quaffing champagne at your expense |
NOT PAssport but Drivers licenseSubmitted by Anonymous on Sun, 08/07/2011 - 09:15. |
Never give your original rather get an international drivers licesnse if they take it they can keep it |
PASSPORTS AND TANZANIASubmitted by Anonymous on Sat, 08/06/2011 - 08:37. |
In reply to Mozambique's post, all I can say to prospective visitors to Tanzania is, be very aware. This is certainly one of the most corrupt countries in the world, never mind Africa. Officials are arrogant, extremely corrupt and blatantly racist and will stop at nothing to squeeze money out of you. I would advise anyone thinking of visiting Tanzania to think again. I personally have witnessed the most corrupt practices taking place with visitors. They start off pretending to be your long lost mate but quickly show the nasty side when you do not fall for their scams. I will never set foot in Tanzania again. |
Again, I've not yet lost aSubmitted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/05/2011 - 23:12. |
Again, I've not yet lost a passport, but I do keep scans of all the families ID books, driving licenses, birth certificates, marriage certificates and passports on my PC and keep a copy on a CD or memory stick when I travel. |
MozambiqueSubmitted by Colin on Fri, 08/05/2011 - 09:33. |
I have not had my passport lost BUT in Maputo the police often ask to see your passport, then they take your passport hostage and then want money +/- 200MT per cop before they give it back. I keep a copy of my passport, ID etc on my G mail account so I can down load it at any time. |
SpainSubmitted by Pain in Spain on Fri, 08/05/2011 - 09:05. |
Having just landed from a long flight from ORT into Madrid, I was standing on the curb outside the airport looking for a metered taxi when a car pulled up in front of me. A FBI -type (dark suit and sunglasses) guy jumps out and flashes a badge at me saying that he is from the drug squad and that he suspects me of having drugs in my carry pouch. I say that I have no drugs on me. He demands to search my carry pouch. I was in shock and I let him search my bag. He takes out my passport and asks me where I come from. I say SA. He then takes my passport out of the pouch and dashes into the car and drive off with me helpless and passportless. I then went to the police to report the matter and then went to the SA embassy in Madrid to apply for an emergency passport. I was so glad when I entered the SA embassy and saw Thabo Mbeki's picture on the wall - I knew that I will be helped. I collected my temp passport a few days later. |
