1

There is some useful info in the box:
http://ukinecuador.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/passports/uk-emergency-passport

Can't help with the other transit countries but surely the British consulate should know?

Edited by: vnrose

Edited by: vnrose

2

Imo, ETD isn't a good solution. As you said, some countries don't like it, and that's true.
I had my (Swedish) passport stolen in Colombia and applied for a new passport (a real one). Had to wait four weeks, but luckily I travelled only in Colombia.
I couldn't use ETD as US immigration wouldn't let me in. Or, I wouldn't be allowed to board the plane - my return flight was via Newark. They don't honour temporary passports.

3

The trouble is that British passports can take 6 weeks to replace in South America. Applications all go to New York and then are couriered back. But there might be a fast track? For a price, of course.

4

There must be a fast track solution, surely?? Your travel insurance company should be able to help?? One of their jobs is to replace lost travel documents isn't it??? Good luck!!

5

#3
Same here (almost). They told me 5-6 weeks, but were able to speed it up, all the way to Stockholm and back (the passports are printed in Sweden).
Why is there NY involved?

6

My mistake, Washington DC not New York. Just as strange. They all go somewhere called the Regional Passport Processing Centre. All the passports for N and S America go there, apparently.

7

Thanks so much for the awesome replies guys, useful links and info! We've spent the last few days doing some seriously expensive national calls to try and get some confirmation with help from your input! Here's what we've found: (this will be long)

ETD is a necessity in this case as we don't have enough time even fast tracking .... :-(
However some good news!

Argentina accepts ETD's we just need a tourist visa which we apply for in the Argentinian embassy in la paz (5-10 days) after we have our ETD's (we've had food poisoning The last few days (proper hospital style food poisoning) so applying tomorrow (it doesn't rain it pours)

Brasil accepts ETD's outright!

UAE's ie Dubai accepts ETD's for "airside transit" this means we are not allowed outside the Dubai airport (different terminals allowed there's even a specific airside transit shuttle bus) but that's fine Dubai airport is awesome and emirates is only from terminal 3 (10 hours might be tricky)

Hong Kong accepts ETD's

Sydney is a weird one (still a little unsure but it looks like we should be fine) they accept ETD's for entry but you need a new one to leave..? Being in transit should be fine though!

New Zealand accepts ETD's even with nz as final destination (according to immigration) you just have to email them to update the situation passport numbers etc! Because we have a year long working holiday visa applying for a new passport in nz is no problem!

Anyway thank you so much for the replies it really helped! We'll update this post if/when we get to nz to confirm we made it!

(It seems like a lot of people in Bolivia have had a lot of stuff stolen we already know people in our hostel who've had bank accounts emptied, attempted kidnapping, tripped and subsequently pick pocketed, and another pick pocketed + us who had everything taken! It seems like Bolivia is really becoming a little less fun to be in... Hilariously whenever we broach the subject with any Bolivian every single one says its all those Peruvians??? We loved Peru never had a problem never heard of a problem..maybe all the Peruvian criminals came to Bolivia as the police don't actually exist. (One hostel 7 people who've had severe issues only in Bolivia having travelled trough most of SA, I'm sure it's coincidence.... Or the Peruvians :-)....) rant over. + I'm sure were certainly a little biased

8

Thank you for giving some feedback. I am glad it seems things will work out with Plan B. It is a great shame about the food poisoning, especially whilst travelling. I hope all is stress free and fun from now on.

In every country in SA people will tell you the thieves are from another country. The truth is, we each have enough of the home grown ones.

9

Oh, glad to hear you will be ok to travel onwards and thanks so much for posting back as so many people don't. Hugs from Australia x

10

Glad you could sort it out, and thanks for feedback (especially when you're busy with all this).
Like others said, all kinds of petty crime happen in SA countries. It's common that they blame others.
Good luck with you onward travel.

11

Just a quck update for anyone interested......
The Argentinian Visa can be bought in the embassy in Villazon ($50 US). Dont beleive the Argentinian Embassy in La Paz who say it takes up to a week we risked it and are incredibly glad to be finally in Salta ..

As long as you have photocopies of hotel booking, flight itinerary, passports, police report and bank statement you can get it on the day you arrive. The embassy/consulate is open from ten oclock.

We arrived at 10:30am and got the visa by 4pm.

Simialarly New Zealand imigration are fine with it, all emails sent etc (we will have to pay to change our visa to our new full passports when we have got them in new zealand... unspecified amount)

(we still hate Bolivia)

12

Great that you were able to get the visa and get to Salta. There has been some looting in places in Argentina today. Hard to tell if it is spontaneous, political or people stocking up for the end of the world. Whatever, stay aware and safe travels.

13

Hey again,

Just in case anyone needs further information about lost/stolen passports, see our blog entry:

http://www.backpackingburgers.com/2012/12/what-to-do-if-your-passport-is-stolen.html

Hope you never have to deal with it though!

Happy travels!