I lost my passport in Hainan China. What procedures shall I take now?

Day 342: I lost my passport in Hainan, China, what shall I do?

3/29/2019

I was about to pay the bill after we finished dinner at “Big Pineapple Shopping Mall”. I realised that I have lost my wallet. There were my China Entry Card (it is like a passport to enter China for Hong Kong Citizen) and my Hong Kong Identity Card ( it is required for entry back to Hong Kong).....

We immediately go on Baidu Map and search for the nearest police station. We found one at the Dadonghai Amusement Park Area but they say they are not responsible, they told us that we should go to Dadonghai Police Station( 大東海派出所- 南邊海路3號）located further away.

So we took taxi there it is like a 6km distance at about 9 pm. We went it there, the police asked us to go direct to Sanya immigration ( 三亞出入境管理支隊）, I assumed they don’t want trouble or they want less work. We were polite, we hold them that the Hong Kong Police would require us to report our loss and also for our insurance claim. They did it for us, they made a statement report, asked us to put fingerprints on every page. Apparently, I wasn’t sure I was scared or I didn’t ask for my rights. I just print my fingerprints without reading what was written.

To be fair to the police force, he asked me in detail what had happened and he was seriously with his work. At the end, I got an acceptance receipt with an official chop from the Sanya Police Station. I asked for a case no. ( he told me that would take a month to wait for the case to be filed) so there is no case no. as you can see in my photo.

The actual photo I took when I arrived at the police office ( 大東海派出所）

This is the acceptance receipt I got from police office for my report of loss at 大東海派出所

Photo of the police station Dadonghai police station at Baidu Map

Friday - March 22, 2019 - Apply for the 1 time “Exit and Entry Permit”

At 8 am, we are taking taxi to the immigration department Application Hall. I went to the one ( Chinese Only) because Hong Kong is now a part of China.
I can see that for international visitors, they would be going to the hall next to the hall for Chinese Only( as shown in the Baidu Map photo).
We would apply for “ Exit and Entry permit”.
When we arrive there weren’t a lot of people. I told them I am from Hong King and lost my identity cards. They told us to enter into the back office and ask for instructions. The officer took me to the reception area at the entrance gave me a ticket from the ticket machine F004 ( I remember all other tickets starts with As and Bs, meaning I was a special case ). I have also taken a photo from the photo booth.

You have to get the ticket to be called. You would also need to take a photo at 出入境管理支隊 for the one time entry and exit permit

Go 三亞交警支隊車管所 to take photos

After a long wait, I was thinking they deliberately made me wait longer, ( which or course wasn’t, it’s just me feeling uncomfortable and nervous ). I remember the old lady who were in front of me at the reception was called just 1 spot before me to the counter to do the application.

I went into the office. The female officer printed me a form ( which I felt they rarely use because a Hong Kong citizen comes from help should be a rare case). Then she realised it needs a photo on the application. I don’t know where to do it of course. Then she directed me to the building that deals with traffic matter (三亞市交警支隊車管所）to take a photo at the photo + multi-function booth. The problem was the booth only accepts WeChat pay. Luckily, my friend has it.

Then comes the problem inputting my name into the immigration computer system. My name is a bit long “ Yau Wai Yin Herbert” which wouldn’t fit into their letter count. Luckily, the head officer of the branch called the IT dept ( maybe it’s IT, I really don’t know) to check how it’s done. If she hasn’t done it carefully. If anything went wrong, I might be sent back at the custom gate. I m so happy for her commitment to her work. I m quite sure this is the right way when I was there because they have all my entry and exit record.

Same day pick up entry and exit permit

After about an hour or so around 11 am, I finish my whole application process. The head officer informed me that I could return the same day at 5pm. She said she want me to be able to return Hong Kong. I was so happy they give me the entry and exit permit the same day. I remembered I was still worried if anything would go wrong at the departure gate.

The immigration office personnel (出入境管理支隊）were really friendly and helpful, especially the head officer. No matter what’s the final outcome, I still want to show my gratitude, I bought a small box of Ferrero Rocher heart box for them when I returned to pick up my permit.

And the conclusion? It went extremely smooth through all gates and security. I return Hong Kong safely on the flight I originally planned with no hassle!