Job Discussion Forums

[fishmarket]

Having recently returned to Kuwait I cannot find my UK passport. I had it at Kuwait Airport and handed it to immigration. I then went to the baggage collection area where it could have gone missing. I was collected from the airport by a friend and did not use a taxi. I have checked with lost and found at the airport and with the airline, to no avail.

My first question is - has anyone else lost belongings when collecting luggage etc; i.e. is it the case that pickpockets operate at the airport?

Secondly, according the the Passport Office website I cannot renew my passport without being in the UK. Does this mean that I cannot travel to say, Dubai unless I return home first?

Thirdly, my visa will expire fairly soon (before I plan to travel to the UK at Christmas). Can the visa be renewed in the meantime?

As soon as it opens I will be contacting the British Embassy. In the meantime I would be interested to hear of other expats experiences.

[veiledsentiments]

It is your embassy who will take care of this problem. I know plenty of Americans who have gotten new passports in Gulf countries (me, for one), so it shouldn't be much different for you.

As to how it disappeared, it may have been lifted or just found and kept by someone.

VS

[rowntree]

Your embassy will replace your passport and the Ministry should have a copy of your residency so it shouldn't be a problem. Call the embassy first thing in the morning. Your school mandoub should do the ministry legwork for you. You can't travel in the meantime.
You are actually lucky you lost it here. I lost/ had stolen mine ten years ago and had to wait in the UK for one month until I could get back- i got my new passport in one day. It was the visa was the problem- and it was Ramadan at the time.