Lost Passport/Visa

Hello All,

I have just done the dumbest thing I've ever done in my life and feeling completely sick about it. I left my binder on the tram, and in it was my US passport with my spouse visa inside. I've already called and they don't have it, and while there is a chance that it will turn up I don't have much hope. Can someone help me with what I do now? I will give it a day or two, but then I need to get a replacement passport and a replacement visa. Any idea how much it will cost? Anyone know an approximate timeframe? And, my biggest question of all:

Does anyone know if I will still get the KOL required stamp? My visa is under the old rules and I had the KOL required, but a concerned that they won't issue that again.

I can't believe I've done this...

You should report it to the police.  You'll need a copy of the report to apply for an emergency or replacement passport.

If your passport is lost or stolen, you are advised to report the loss/theft to the local British police in the area in which it occurred.  We recommend that you submit your application for a replacement passport as soon as possible after the loss or theft is discovered.

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/passports/lostpassport.html

It looks like you can get the replacement passport through an appointment at the US Embassy.

Don't lose hope!

I left a backpack with my laptop on a train a few weeks ago and sure enough, it was turned in!  I left it on a Monday and didn't get a call until Thursday but it was found.  Only thing missing from the bag was a pack of Jammie Dodgers (who can blame them).

I do remember seeing that if they find a passport, they send it to the embassy of the issuing country or something along those lines.  Contact the train company, fill out the online form (what I needed to do) and sit tight.  Chances are it'll be turned in and you'll be good to go.

However... I'm currently awaiting a replacement Biometrics card and the applications are taking up to six months to process.  This was £37.

Passport will be $110 to replace.  I think you can get that directly from the Embassy.

I hope someone turns it in!

Bad news about the visa.  I do believe that there was a new policy introduced not long ago, which requires you to pay the full whack when a visa is lost.  So you'd basically have to get a new spouse visa.  I don't know about the KOL req, sorry.  Hope someone does the right thing and you get it all back!

If you've got a Spouse Visa, it's just a sticker in the passport, right?  Not a BRP.

If your passport and visa are lost or stolen
If you have lost your passport or had it stolen, you will need to pay the full fee for a replacement visa.

You must first apply to your country's government for a replacement passport, and then reapply to us for another visa. You will need to provide a police report as evidence that your passport has been reported missing or stolen.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/general-info/visa-holders/

I agree with KFdancer.  It could still show up.    Don't give up hope yet, but take the steps you'd need to take in case it's not returned.

Maybe file a report for the loss now and if it's not shown up in a few days, contact the US embassy.    If it's returned there, they could return it to you rather than issuing you a new one. 

Thank you all - they found it!! So relieved, but your responses last night helped me feel like I at least knew what to do and kept me from freaking out.

Thanks again!

Yeah!  I'm glad it worked out.    Where did they find it or where was it returned?

DH and I were talking about what we'd need to do if we lost a passport or BRP... kind of like planning for an emergency.

SIL is a police officer in London and DH has heard many stories from her of items turned into her station.  Apparently if something is turned in to a police station (whether it's a phone, passport, ring, coat or money) they won't make an effort to return it- it's up to the owner to check at police stations to see if it's been turned in and prove they are the owner (if it's money, giving details of where it was lost and how much it was).  Maybe if a report of loss is filed, they'd link the item with the report and return it to you, but SIL said they won't go out of their way to return it- it would use too much time and resources to try to track down owners for everything.... even if it's obvious like a passport or has ID with it.

Not applicable to your situation, but good to know for the future. 

Again, glad it worked out. 

Yippee!!!

When I lost my laptop, I was amazed at the stories others told me about leaving their laptops, phones, wallets, etc. on trains and nearly everyone got theirs back.  There is something to be said for the honestly of the English!

Soooo glad you don't have to replace everything.