What Should Someone Do If They Lose a US Visa with No Copy?

Losing a passport with a valid U.S. visa can be stressful, but there are steps to take to address the situation. Here's a guide on what to do next:

1. Report the Loss

• To Local Authorities: Immediately report the loss to the local police. In many countries, you may need to file a police report to get an official record of the loss. This can be important for security reasons and to avoid identity theft.

• To the Passport Issuing Authority: If you lost your passport, you'll need to report it to the passport authorities in your country to begin the process of getting a replacement passport.

2. Notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate

• Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and inform them of the lost passport with the U.S. visa. They will provide guidance on the next steps and help with the process of reissuing a visa if necessary.

• Some embassies and consulates have procedures for dealing with lost or stolen U.S. visas, and they will likely ask you to provide the police report (if required by local law) and some other identification documents.

3. Request a Replacement Passport

• Apply for a replacement passport through the passport authority in your country. You'll need to submit relevant documents (like proof of identity) and might need to pay a fee for the new passport.

• If you're in the middle of a trip, the U.S. embassy can also issue you an emergency travel document to help you get back to your home country.

4. Visa Replacement Process

• If you don’t have a copy of your visa: This can be problematic, but the embassy can still help in certain situations. It's helpful if you have any previous visa-related documentation (like visa receipts, confirmation emails, or travel records) that can assist in confirming the visa's details.

• Provide Visa Details: If you don’t have any documentation about the lost visa, the U.S. embassy may be able to retrieve the visa information using your passport number and other personal data.

• New Visa Application: In some cases, the embassy or consulate may require you to apply for a new visa. You’ll likely need to fill out a new visa application (DS-160), pay the visa fee, and attend a new visa interview. They may also ask you to provide a copy of the police report and any other identification or documents to confirm your identity.

5. Wait for the Process

• The process of replacing the visa or issuing a new one can take time. The U.S. embassy will guide you on how to proceed. If you're abroad, keep in mind that the replacement or reissuance of a U.S. visa may involve additional processing time.

6. Precautions for the Future

• Going forward, it’s always a good idea to keep a copy of your visa and passport information in a safe place. Some people even take pictures of the important pages on their phone or store them digitally to avoid such situations.

Summary of Steps:

1. Report the loss to local police.

2. Notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

3. Apply for a replacement passport with your country’s passport authority.

4. Provide information about the lost visa (or any supporting documents).

5. Apply for a new U.S. visa, if required.