Lost or Stolen Documents

Passports, Visas, and Arrival/Departure Records (I-94) are official travel documents that international students in F-1 or J-1 status must have in their possession. These documents show your country of citizenship and legal status in the U.S.

ISSA recommends that you make a copy of your passport, visa, and arrival/departure record (I-94) for your own records. These documents are important for students and scholars if they intend to work on-campus. 

ISSA recommends that you get a Pennsylvania driver’s license or a Pennsylvania State ID for identification while studying in the U.S. Using your passport as proof of age is not recommended. 

What Should You Do If Your Passport is Lost or Stolen? 

Replacing a passport is a process that Penn State cannot help you with. Since your passport is a personal document, you will need to request a replacement. Below are recommended steps to follow if your passport is lost or stolen: 

Request a police report at the local police station. Go to the local police station and report that your passport was lost or stolen. If available, you can provide a copy of your passport. You will be issued a police report detailing the incident. Be sure to make an extra copy of the report for your own records. 
Print off an I-94 replacement, which is available online. 
Request a replacement passport through your home country’s embassy or consulate. In most cases, your embassy or consulate will ask for a copy of the police report about your lost or stolen passport.  The time to receive a new passport will vary by country.   
Apply for a new U.S. visa the next time you travel outside of the U.S. In most cases, this will be the same process you completed when requesting your original U.S. visa. You will also need to include a copy of the police report about your lost or stolen passport.