Common emergency documents
Authorities may issue an emergency passport, temporary passport, one-way travel document, certificate of identity or laissez-passer. Names and legal effects differ by country.
Purpose and validity
Some documents are intended only for return to the issuing country. Others permit limited onward travel. The validity period can be much shorter than a normal passport.
Transit and airline acceptance
An airline may refuse boarding when a transit country does not accept the document. Obtain written confirmation where possible before buying or changing a ticket.
Visas and entry permission
A replacement document may require a new visa even when the lost passport contained a valid visa. Visa exemptions may also depend on document type.
After arrival
The holder may need to surrender the temporary document or apply for a full passport after reaching the destination.
Frequently asked questions
Is an emergency travel document the same as a normal passport?
No. It often has shorter validity, fewer destinations or a specific permitted journey.
Can it be used for tourism?
Possibly, but many are intended for urgent return travel. Confirm the document’s conditions.
Does it include my previous visas?
No. Visas usually need separate replacement or confirmation.
Can I transit through any airport?
No. Transit-country and airline acceptance must be checked before departure.
Related passport guides
African Passports: Types, Validity and Travel Guide
Open the related passport guide and check the document details that affect travel.
Read guide →Passport Types and Travel Documents Explained
Open the related passport guide and check the document details that affect travel.
Read guide →Passport Validity, Blank Pages and Document Condition
Open the related passport guide and check the document details that affect travel.
Read guide →How to Read a Passport Biographical Page
Open the related passport guide and check the document details that affect travel.
Read guide →Passport Issuance, Renewal and Replacement
Open the related passport guide and check the document details that affect travel.
Read guide →From Travel Letters to Biometric Passports
Open the related passport guide and check the document details that affect travel.
Read guide →Official-source checklist
- National passport or immigration authority
- Ministry of Interior or Foreign Affairs
- Embassy or consulate serving the applicant
- ICAO travel-document standards and official airline document guidance
Passport rules, application procedures, validity requirements and fees can change. Confirm current instructions with the responsible authority before applying or travelling.