- Immediate police report required: A certified police report is mandatory for all six CBI jurisdictions — without it, no replacement application can proceed. File it the moment you discover the passport is missing.
- 3–6 month processing timeline: Lost and stolen passport replacements take significantly longer than standard renewals. Build contingency travel plans and arrange alternative documentation (such as an emergency travel document from your country of birth) early.
- Notarised affidavit mandatory: Every CBI jurisdiction requires a sworn, notarised declaration of loss or theft. Errors or omissions in this document are among the leading causes of application delays.
- Additional fees apply: Replacement costs exceed standard renewal fees across the board — government charges, notarisation, courier, and agent fees typically add USD 500–1,500 or more above the base renewal cost, depending on jurisdiction and urgency.
- ECCIRA biometric standards now in force: The Eastern Caribbean CBI harmonisation framework (established December 2025) mandates biometric e-passport issuance for all ECCU member countries. Replacement passports issued from mid-2026 onwards will comply with these standards. Vanuatu is not an ECCIRA member and follows its own separate process.
- Remote replacement is possible: You do not need to travel to the issuing country to obtain a replacement CBI passport. All six jurisdictions permit agent-assisted remote processing — Mirabello Consultancy handles this end-to-end from Switzerland and Dubai.
Lost or Stolen CBI Passport Replacement 2026: Emergency Procedures and Timelines
Losing a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) passport — or having it stolen — is stressful and disorienting, particularly when you are abroad. The replacement process is significantly more complex, expensive, and time-consuming than standard renewal. Acting quickly and following the correct procedures is essential to minimise disruption and protect your citizenship status.
This guide covers the emergency replacement process for all six CBI programmes, including immediate steps, country-specific procedures, fees, processing times, and how to obtain temporary travel documents while awaiting your replacement passport.
Immediate Steps: What to Do First
Regardless of which CBI programme issued your passport, follow these steps immediately:
- File a police report in the country where the loss or theft occurred. Obtain a written copy with a case reference number. This is required by every CBI programme.
- Contact the nearest consulate or embassy of your CBI country. If none is nearby, contact your CBI agent or advisory firm.
- Prepare a notarised affidavit of loss — a sworn statement describing the circumstances of the loss or theft, signed before a notary public.
- Secure your identity documents — if your other passport, Certificate of Naturalisation, or other identity documents are also missing, list them in the police report.
- Contact your advisory firm — Mirabello Consultancy provides emergency support for lost/stolen passport situations.
Replacement Fees by Programme
| Programme | Replacement Fee | Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominica | USD 250 | 3–6 months | Significantly longer than standard renewal |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | Additional fee applies | 3–6 months | Exact fee varies — contact CIU |
| Grenada | Varies | Longer than standard | Contact nearest embassy immediately |
| St. Lucia | Varies | Longer than standard | Police report essential |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Additional fees may apply | Longer than standard | Police report + affidavit required |
| Vanuatu | Varies | Longer than standard | Contact nearest consulate |
Key point: Replacement processing times are 3–6 months for most programmes — significantly longer than the 2–8 week standard renewal. This is because additional security checks and due diligence are conducted to prevent fraud.
Country-Specific Replacement Procedures
Dominica
Dominica has the most clearly defined replacement process:
- File a police report and obtain a notarised affidavit of loss
- Submit replacement application with police report and affidavit to the Passport and Immigration Department in Roseau, or through the CBIU
- Pay the replacement fee of USD 250 (higher than the standard USD 150 renewal)
- Processing takes 3–6 months due to enhanced security verification
- New passport delivered by secure courier
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts requires:
- Immediate police report with case reference number
- Notarised affidavit describing circumstances of loss/theft
- Submit through St. Kitts CIU or an authorised agent
- Additional verification fees apply
- Processing time: 3–6 months minimum
Grenada
Grenada passport replacement requires immediate contact with the nearest Grenadian diplomatic mission. If you hold a US E-2 visa linked to your Grenada passport, the loss creates additional complications that should be addressed simultaneously.
St. Lucia
Contact the St. Lucia Passport Office or the nearest consulate. The police report and affidavit form the basis of your replacement application. St. Lucia has experienced processing backlogs, so allow extra time.
Antigua and Barbuda
Report the loss immediately and submit replacement documents through the CIP or an authorised agent. The 5-day physical presence compliance will be re-verified during the replacement process.
Vanuatu
Contact the nearest Vanuatu consulate or embassy. Replacement will require new biometric collection at one of the four centres (Port Vila, Hong Kong, Dubai, or New Caledonia).
Temporary Travel Documents
While awaiting your replacement passport, you may need to travel. Options include:
- Emergency Travel Document (ETD): Some CBI countries issue temporary single-journey travel documents through their embassies. Availability varies by country and location.
- Your other passport: If you hold another nationality's passport, you can travel on that document while awaiting replacement.
- Consular letter: In some cases, a consulate can issue a letter confirming your citizenship status to facilitate emergency travel.
Important: No CBI country guarantees emergency travel document issuance. Processing depends on the specific consulate and circumstances.
Lost vs Stolen: Does It Matter?
Yes. The distinction affects the replacement process:
| Factor | Lost Passport | Stolen Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Police report | Required | Required (criminal investigation may follow) |
| Interpol notification | Passport flagged as lost | Passport flagged as stolen — higher alert |
| Processing time | Standard replacement timeline | May be longer due to investigation |
| Additional scrutiny | Standard verification | Enhanced security checks |
Regardless of whether the passport was lost or stolen, it will be flagged in the Interpol SLTD database to prevent misuse.
Protecting Your Citizenship Status
A common concern among CBI passport holders is whether losing their passport affects their citizenship. The answer is clear:
- Your citizenship is not affected. CBI citizenship is permanent and is not dependent on possessing a valid passport.
- Your Certificate of Naturalisation is the legal proof of your citizenship, not your passport.
- The passport is a travel document — it can be replaced. Your citizenship cannot be revoked due to passport loss.
Prevention: Protecting Your CBI Passport
Given the lengthy and costly replacement process, prevention is essential:
- Store securely: Use a hotel safe or secure storage when travelling. Never leave your passport in checked luggage.
- Make copies: Keep certified copies of your passport, Certificate of Naturalisation, and all supporting documents in a separate location.
- Digital backup: Store encrypted digital copies of all documents in secure cloud storage.
- Travel with your other passport: If you hold dual citizenship, consider which passport to carry daily and which to store securely.
- Register with your embassy: Some countries allow citizens to register their presence abroad, which can facilitate replacement if needed.
Insurance and Protection
Some travel insurance policies cover passport replacement costs. Check your policy for:
- Passport replacement coverage (fees and emergency travel costs)
- Emergency travel document assistance
- Consular referral services
- Coverage for second/CBI passports (not all policies cover non-primary passports)
How Mirabello Consultancy Helps
Mirabello Consultancy provides emergency support for lost and stolen CBI passport situations:
- Emergency hotline: Immediate guidance on first steps
- Police report assistance: Support navigating local authorities in any country
- Consulate liaison: Direct communication with the relevant diplomatic mission
- Replacement application management: Full handling of the replacement process
- Temporary travel document coordination: Where available, we coordinate emergency documents
- E-2 visa protection: For Grenada holders, parallel coordination with US immigration
- Service in 7 languages: From offices in Zurich and Dubai
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to replace a lost CBI passport?
Replacement processing takes 3–6 months for most programmes — significantly longer than standard renewal (2–8 weeks). Enhanced security checks and due diligence are conducted to prevent fraud.
Does losing my CBI passport affect my citizenship?
No. CBI citizenship is permanent and not dependent on possessing a valid passport. Your Certificate of Naturalisation is the legal proof of citizenship.
Can I get an emergency travel document while waiting for a replacement?
Possibly. Some CBI countries issue temporary travel documents through their embassies, but availability varies. If you hold another passport, you can travel on that document.
How much does it cost to replace a lost CBI passport?
Dominica charges USD 250. Other programmes charge varying fees. Add agent fees (USD 500–2,000) and courier costs. Total replacement costs are typically 50–100% higher than standard renewal.
What if my Certificate of Naturalisation was also lost?
Contact the CBI unit immediately for a replacement certificate. This document is essential for proving your citizenship and must be replaced before or alongside your passport.
Will a lost CBI passport be flagged internationally?
Yes. Lost and stolen passports are reported to Interpol's Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database. This prevents misuse but also means the old passport number can never be used again.
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