Emergency travel documents and emergency passports
- US emergency passport
- Valid up to 1 year 3
- New Zealand emergency travel document
- NZ$685, usually 7 months 5
- Germany Reiseausweis als Passersatz
- Journey home, at most one month 6
- EU Emergency Travel Document
- Single journey, at most 15 days in most cases 7
Two kinds of urgent document
Governments use two main tools. An emergency travel document (sometimes called an emergency certificate) is a limited document for a single trip, mostly home. EU law describes it as a single-journey document that lets the bearer return home, or in exceptional cases go to another destination 7.
An emergency passport is a passport with short validity. The US emergency passport is valid for up to 1 year and can be swapped for a full passport after your trip 3. Australia's emergency passport is valid for up to one year and has no chip 4.
How they compare
This table sets out the official terms for several countries:
| Country | Document | Fee | Validity or use |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Emergency travel document | £125 1 | Usually one single or return journey, up to 5 countries 2 |
| United States | Emergency passport | Same as a regular passport 3 | Up to 1 year 3 |
| Australia | Emergency passport | A$265 9 | Up to one year, no chip 4 |
| New Zealand | Emergency travel document | NZ$685 5 | Usually 7 months 5 |
| Germany | Reiseausweis als Passersatz | Set by the mission | Journey home, at most one month 6 |
| India | Emergency Certificate | US$15 plus US$2 in Washington 8 | One way to India 8 |
Who can get one
Rules are strict. The UK issues its document to British nationals outside the UK who must travel within 6 weeks and cannot replace their passport in time 2. New Zealand issues one only outside New Zealand, when you must travel urgently and will not get a new passport before you go 5.
Australia issues emergency passports only to people overseas with an urgent need to travel 4. India's mission in Washington issues an Emergency Certificate after Indian nationality is confirmed 8.
Limits to check before you travel
Not every country accepts these documents. New Zealand says some countries, like the USA, do not accept emergency travel documents for entry, even in transit 5. Australia says its chipless emergency passport is restricted in some countries 4.
Check visas too. GOV.UK tells applicants to check whether every country they leave, enter or pass through accepts the document 1. Border control may keep a UK emergency travel document on arrival 1.
Not every embassy issues them. New Zealand says not all of its embassies and high commissions issue emergency travel documents 5.
Help for EU citizens with no embassy nearby
EU citizens whose own country has no embassy or consulate in a non-EU country can ask any EU member state's mission for an EU Emergency Travel Document, under Council Directive (EU) 2019/997 7.
The issuing state must consult your home country within two working days of the application. You pay the same fee the issuing state charges its own nationals for emergency documents 7.
The document is valid for the time needed for the journey plus a two-day grace period. Save in exceptional cases, it is valid for no more than 15 calendar days 7.
Getting a full passport afterwards
An emergency document is a stopgap. New Zealand asks you to send its document to the Passport Office before it expires to get a standard passport 5. Australia lets you apply for a full passport at the same time as an emergency one, and both fees apply 4.
Common questions
What is the difference between an emergency passport and an emergency travel document?
An emergency travel document is mostly for one journey home 7. An emergency passport has longer validity, up to 1 year in the US and Australia 3,4.
Can I travel to the USA on an emergency travel document?
New Zealand warns that the USA does not accept emergency travel documents for entry or transit 5.
How fast can I get a UK emergency travel document?
It is usually ready to collect 2 working days after you apply 1.
What if my country has no embassy where I am?
EU citizens can ask any EU member state's mission for an EU Emergency Travel Document 7.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Emergency travel document, how to apply
- GOV.UK: Get an emergency travel document
- US Department of State: Lost or stolen passport abroad
- Australian Passport Office: Emergency passport
- New Zealand Passports (DIA): Urgent travel (updated 9 September 2026)
- Auswärtiges Amt: Reisepässe und Personalausweise
- EUR-Lex: Council Directive (EU) 2019/997 establishing an EU Emergency Travel Document (18 June 2019)
- Embassy of India, Washington DC: Emergency travel document (Emergency Certificate)
- Australian Passport Office: Fees (as of 1 January 2026)
Related
- Lost your passport abroad: first steps
What to do first when your passport is lost or stolen abroad, from official advice by the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Germany.
- What happens to a passport once you report it lost or stolen
Why a reported passport is cancelled for good, how Interpol's Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database works, and what happens if you find it later.
- Lost or stolen UK passport
How to cancel a lost or stolen UK passport online, what a replacement costs, and how to get a £125 emergency travel document abroad.
- Lost or stolen New Zealand passport
How to declare a lost or stolen New Zealand passport, when a police report is needed, NZ$247 replacement and the NZ$685 emergency travel document.
- Lost or stolen Australian passport
How to report a lost or stolen Australian passport, the A$422 new passport fee, emergency passports overseas and the limits for repeat losses.
- Lost or stolen Indian passport
What to do if your Indian passport is lost or stolen: police report, Annexure F, reissue fees from 1 July 2026 and the Emergency Certificate abroad.