A passport serves as an international identification proving one’s nationality and status for travelers venturing abroad. Without a passport, international travel is not possible, a rule that applies universally. That underscores the essentiality of a passport for anyone embarking on a journey beyond their homeland.
“In Case of Passport Loss Before Departure”
Before an international trip, the first essential check is your passport. Confirm its presence and check its validity. However, unavoidable circumstances may lead to situations like losing your passport or having limited time left before its expiry. In such cases, while the standard procedure would be to reissue a new passport, there might not be enough time available, especially if the departure is just a day or two away.
Though it’s best that such situations never arise in one’s life, there are remedies even if they do. That remedy is the emergency passport service offered at Incheon Airport.
“Incheon Airport Emergency Passport Service”
On the 3rd floor of the Departure Hall at Incheon Airport, you’ll find the “Consulate.” It’s the place where, in dire situations, you can obtain an emergency passport to proceed with your departure. However, this service is explicitly meant for urgent situations. Those who frequently lose their passports may face limitations on issuance, so it’s advisable to take note of this.
The location of the consulate at Incheon Airport is “Left of Counter F in the Departure Hall on the 3rd floor.” If you visit the consulate within the specified timeframe, you can obtain an emergency passport under the following conditions:
“Eligibility”
- Urgent need to leave the country for work or study purposes.
- Recognized need for urgent departure due to events such as the death of a family member, incidents, accidents, or other humanitarian reasons.
“Required Documents”
- Passport Application Form, Identification
- Reasoning for Emergency Passport Application
- Flight Reservation Details (E-TICKET)
- 2 Passport-sized Photos (Taken within the last 6 months)
- Proof of Urgency (e.g., Business Trip Expense Report, Contract, Death Certificate, Invitation, etc.)
- Passport Loss Report (For the applicant)
- Military Service-related Documents (For the applicant)
“Additional Documents for Minors”
- Legal Guardian’s (Parent’s) Identification
- Legal Guardian’s Consent Form
- Basic Certificate and Family Relationship Certificate (Not verifiable through the administrative network)
“Situations Where Emergency Passport Cannot Be Issued”
- Holders of a Resident Visa
- Repeat Offenders of Passport Loss (2 times within the last year / 3 times within the last 5 years)
“Additional Notes”
- Single Passport: An emergency passport is a single passport with an attached photo. If you require an electronic passport, please inquire at the nearest district office.
- Processing Time: Takes approximately 1-1.5 hours
- Fee: KRW 15,000 (Card payment accepted)
“Caution”
- Consulate Office Hours at Incheon Airport: 9 AM – 6 PM (Mon-Fri, Closed on public holidays, Lunch Break: 12 PM – 1 PM)
- Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 4 PM at the latest.
- Consular Service Contact Number during Office Hours: 032-740-2777(2778)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Call Center outside of Office Hours: 02-3210-0404
While it’s best to avoid any mishaps related to passports before departure, if such a situation does arise, don’t worry too much. You can explore options through the emergency passport service provided at Incheon Airport.