An Emergency Travel Document (ETD) is a temporary, limited-validity passport issued by your country's embassy or consulate abroad when your passport is lost, stolen, or unavailable, allowing for a single trip back home or to your country of residence due to urgent, unforeseen circumstances, requiring proof of identity, photos, travel plans, and fees, but its acceptance varies by destination.
Who Issues It?
Your country's embassy or consulate while you are overseas.
When Can You Get One?
If your passport is lost, stolen, damaged, or otherwise unavailable for urgent travel.
For urgent, life-or-death family emergencies or critical health reasons,
Limited Validity: Usually valid for a single journey back to your home country or country of permanent residence, often for a short duration (e.g., 3-5 days or for the specific trip).
Purpose-Driven: Primarily for urgent return travel; may be difficult to use for onward travel to other countries.
How to Apply (General Steps):
Report Loss/Theft: File a police report for your lost/stolen passport.
Contact Embassy/Consulate: Schedule an in-person appointment.
Gather Documents:
- Proof of Identity (other ID, birth certificate, copies of lost passport).
- Passport-sized Photos (specific format).
- Proof of Travel (ticket/booking).
- Evidence of the Emergency (death certificate, hospital letter, etc.).Fees.
Important Considerations:
Destination Acceptance: Some countries may not recognize an ETD for visa-free entry, potentially leading to refusal of boarding or entry.
Full Passport Needed: You will still need to apply for a full-validity passport once you return.
