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Passports Lost or Stolen in Saudi Arabia

Learn more about what you should do if your passport is lost or stolen in Saudi Arabia, whether you live here or are on holiday.

  • Lost or stolen on holiday
  • Lost or stolen - resident in Saudi Arabia

Lost or stolen on holiday

1. If your passport is lost or stolen you must immediately report this to your nearest police station and ask them to give you a written confirmation that you have done so.

Most police officers in Saudi Arabia will have a decent level of English, so you should be able to communicate in English.  If there are difficulties in this respect, please contact the Embassy.

2. You should contact the Embassy or your nearest Honorary Consulate to make arrangements for an alternative travel document.

Minimum requirements to apply for an Emergency Travel Document:

  • Your original police report.
  • Two passport photographs.
  • Proof of your flight home.
  • Evidence of your identity/citizenship. If you do not have alternative photo i.d. with you in Saudi Arabia, you will need to ask somebody to bring your original long form birth certificate (and civil marriage certificate in the case of a married woman whose passport name is in her married surname), or an old cancelled passport, to a Garda Station in Ireland and fax a copy to the Embassy or your nearest Honorary Consulate.
  • The relevant fee.
  • Depending on your situation, we may require additional evidence in support of your application, including a fully witnessed application form, and additional proof of name and address.

Please bear in mind this service is not available outside of office hours except in case of emergency. You may need to arrange a new flight to allow you time to obtain a travel document.

Lost or stolen - resident in Saudi Arabia

If you are resident in Saudi Arabia and your passport has been stolen or lost, you must follow the following steps:

1. Immediately report the loss or theft to your sponsor (employer) and seek their assistance in reporting the loss/theft to your nearest police station.  The police should provide you with a written confirmation that you have reported the loss/theft to them.   

Most police officers in Saudi Arabia will have a decent level of English, so you should be able to communicate in English.  Your sponsor or their representative will be able to assist if communication is in Arabic.

2. Apply to the Embassy of Ireland, Riyadh, for a full new passport. For general advice, please see our step-by-step guide on how to apply for a passport

All applicants must include: 

  • A completed and witnessed APS2 application form.
  • 4 Passport Photographs (2 witnessed)
  • Previous passport if you have had one
  • Original long form birth certificate. This must be included for all under 18s and for adults if you have lost your passport, or if applying for your first passport.
  • Civil Marriage Certificate (if you are changing your name)

With a view to preventing identity theft and the circulation of falsified passports, there are additional safeguards for the passport application procedure for those adults seeking to replace a lost or stolen passport. If your passport has been lost or stolen, you must also supply the following documents:

  • Additional form of photo-identification; e.g. certified copy of a drivers licence, work ID; student card; social club membership; passport from other country etc.
  • Evidence of entitlement to Irish citizenship, where applicable
  • Documentary evidence to show use of name, e.g. payslips; records of unemployment or disability payment; bank statement; college registration etc.; and
  • Evidence of residency at the application address, e.g. utility bills; official correspondence from public or private sector etc.