If you are a foreign citizen residing in the United States short-term or long-term, there are critical immigration and legal documents that you have to keep safe. If you lose your passport and visa in the U.S., there are specific steps you need to take to ensure you continue to reside in the U.S. legally and do not run into any issues. This is also why it is so important to take the necessary steps to protect your documents in the case of theft. Here is everything you need to know about what to do if you have lost your passport and visa in the U.S.
I Lost My Passport With My U.S. Visa, Now What?
Wondering what happens if I lose my passport with a U.S. visa? If you have lost your passport with your U.S. visa, you may not know what to do next, as this can be a very overwhelming situation. This is everyone’s worst nightmare when they are in a country that is not their own, as it can lead to legal issues. The good news is that this is more common than you would think, so there are very simple steps in place to help you navigate the situation.
One step you should consider taking is hiring an immigration attorney to help you navigate the process of reporting a stolen visa and passport, as well as filing to get a new one. They will have experience with these kinds of situations and can help you complete all of the necessary steps as quickly as possible.
File a Police Report
One of the first things you need to do if your passport, visa, or Form I-94 documents have been stolen is to report this to the police. This will create a paper trail regarding the loss of your passport and visa, as well as increase the chance of having your items found. The local police department will issue you a police report that details the incident that you should keep on hand for the future.
Another benefit to reporting this to the police is that they can help you navigate the risks associated with having your identity stolen. Unfortunately, people can steal your identity if they have your passport, so the police can keep an eye out for any fraudulent activity.
Report to the Embassy
You also need to take the step of reporting a stolen or lost passport with a valid U.S. visa to the embassy of your country of origin. The embassy should have information regarding the procedure for replacing lost or stolen passports, Form I-94 documents, or visas.
Additionally, you need to report a lost or stolen passport with a U.S. visa to the U.S. embassy or consulate abroad which issued your visa. You can do this by going to the U.S. embassy or consulate website to find the contact information. When doing this, include your full name, date of birth, address in the U.S., place of birth, and email address.
When you are going through this process, you will need to identify whether your visa has been lost or stolen as well as provide information about your passport or visa. Include any copies you may have, the category of visa, and the passport number.
Request a Replacement
Losing or having your passport or visa stolen is a very overwhelming process but the good news is that you can usually have these important documents replaced. If it was your Form I-94 that was lost or stolen, you can file for a replacement I-94 with the Department of Homeland Security. Everything you need to file is available at the USCIS website.
If it is your visa that has been lost or stolen, this cannot be replaced in the United States, so you will have to apply in person at a consulate abroad or the U.S. Embassy. This is where having documentation will be critical, as you will need a statement documenting the loss of your passport and visa, as well as a copy of the police report. You will also need to provide additional information regarding your identity and other documents that you used to initially get your passport and visa.
How to Keep Important Immigration Documents Safe
Although there are steps you can take if you lose your passport and visa or they are stolen, no one wants to have to face the situation. There are certain things you should do to protect your important documents so that they are not accidentally misplaced or stolen when you are traveling. Here are some tips for preserving these legal documents so that you do not have to go to the trouble of getting replacements:
- Make copies of critical documents and store them in a safe location so that they cannot be lost or stolen while traveling.
- Avoid keeping your passport or visa in a wallet, backpack, suitcase, or purse, as these are frequently stolen.
- Take advantage of any documents that can be accessed electronically so that you have digital records.
- Never leave items containing your passport or visa unattended.
- Take photocopies of your passport and visa so that you still have access to the information on both.
- Store all of your immigration and travel documents in one location to prevent important documents from being misplaced.
- Only travel with the essential documentation and keep it on your person to avoid having it stolen.
If you do find yourself in an unfortunate situation where your passport and visa have been stolen or lost, you need to hire an immigration attorney. Taking this step ensures you will follow the correct process to resolve the issue and that it is completed as quickly as possible. An immigration attorney can also help you through the process of applying for new documents if necessary.
Hire an Immigration Attorney Today
Has someone stolen your passport with your U.S. visa? Contact us today at U.S. Immigration Law Counsel at 800-666-4996 to speak with an immigration attorney about the situation. We will deal with the government, so you don’t have to!
