Visa Guide
Everything you need to know about visa options, applications, and visa-free transit policies for medical visitors.
China has dramatically simplified entry requirements since late 2023. As of 2026, most medical tourists from Western countries do not need a visa for stays up to 30 days. This guide covers every current entry pathway — from visa-free options to the S2 medical visa for extended treatment stays.
Do You Need a Visa?
Walk through these steps in order. Stop at the first one that applies to you:
- 1
30-day unilateral visa-free (48 countries)
If your country is on the list, you can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. This covers most medical procedures. No visa needed.
- 2
Bilateral visa exemption (~29 countries)
Your country may have a mutual agreement with China for 15–30 days visa-free entry.
- 3
Transiting through China to a third country?
You may qualify for 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free entry at 65 ports across 24 provinces.
- 4
Visiting Hainan specifically?
Citizens of 59+ countries can enter Hainan visa-free for 30 days.
- 5
Treatment longer than 30 days?
Apply for an S2 visa (medical, ≤180 days) or S1 visa (>180 days) at your nearest Chinese embassy.
- 6
None of the above?
Apply for an L visa (tourist) or S2 visa at your nearest Chinese embassy/consulate.
30-Day Unilateral Visa-Free Entry (48 Countries)
Since late 2023, citizens of 48 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, and transit — medical tourism is included. Policy extended through December 31, 2026.
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe (38) | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Monaco, Liechtenstein |
| Asia-Pacific (5) | Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore |
| Americas (2) | United States, Canada |
| Middle East (2) | United Arab Emirates, Qatar |
Conditions
- Maximum stay of 30 days per entry
- Ordinary passport holders only
- Enter through any open Chinese port of entry
- Travel freely throughout mainland China (no regional restrictions)
- Multiple entries allowed during the policy period (each entry starts a new 30-day window)
For medical tourists: A 30-day visa-free stay covers the vast majority of procedures including dental implants, SMILE eye surgery, health checkups, cosmetic procedures, fertility consultations, and even the initial phases of cancer treatment. For most Western patients, no visa application is needed at all.
240-Hour Transit Visa-Free (55 Countries)
Since December 2024, China offers 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free entry at 65 ports across 24 provinces for citizens of 55 countries.
| Region | Key Ports |
|---|---|
| Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei | Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang airports + rail/sea ports |
| Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang | Shanghai Pudong/Hongqiao, Nanjing, Hangzhou + regional ports |
| Guangdong | Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao'an, Jieyang Chaoshan airports + land/sea ports |
| Chengdu-Chongqing | Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing Jiangbei airports |
| Liaoning | Shenyang Taoxian, Dalian Zhoushuizi airports |
| And more | Xi'an, Kunming, Qingdao, Xiamen, Wuhan, Changsha, Harbin, Guilin across 24 provinces |
Conditions
- Valid passport from one of the 55 eligible countries
- Confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region (different from your origin)
- Maximum stay of 240 hours (10 days)
- Must stay within the designated region(s) — many regions now allow inter-regional travel
- Enter and exit through designated ports in the same region
Medical tourism tip: Ideal for short procedures when transiting through China. For example, fly from the US to Thailand and stop in Shanghai for 10 days to have eye surgery, dental work, or a health checkup before continuing. If your country is on the 30-day visa-free list, that policy is more flexible (no onward ticket requirement, no regional restrictions).
24-Hour Airside Transit (All Nationalities)
Any foreign national transiting through a Chinese airport can remain in the international transit area for up to 24 hours without a visa, regardless of nationality.
- You must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region
- You cannot leave the transit area or pass through immigration
- Origin and final destination must be different countries (e.g., New York → Shanghai → Tokyo is valid; New York → Shanghai → New York is not)
Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free
Hainan Province offers a 30-day visa-free entry policy for citizens of 59+ countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and most EU nations).
Conditions
- Maximum stay of 30 days
- Enter and exit through Hainan ports (Haikou Meilan Airport or Sanya Phoenix Airport)
- Must book through a registered travel agency (can be a simple online registration)
- Cannot travel to other Chinese provinces during the stay
Why it matters: Hainan is home to the Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone and Boao Super Hospital, which offer cutting-edge treatments including drugs and devices not yet approved on the Chinese mainland. If your country is on the 48-country unilateral visa-free list, you can visit Hainan under that policy instead — with the added benefit of traveling freely to other cities too.
S2 Visa — Medical Treatment (≤180 Days)
The S2 visa is the correct visa for medical treatment stays of 30–180 days (e.g., extended cancer treatment, rehabilitation, IVF cycles, or multi-stage surgical procedures). The M visa is for business — not medical treatment.
Required Documents
- Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and blank visa pages
- Completed visa application form with a recent passport-sized photo
- Invitation letter from the Chinese hospital (stating patient name, treatment plan, and expected duration)
- Medical records or diagnosis from your home country (translated into Chinese if requested)
- Proof of financial means (bank statements)
- Round-trip flight itinerary
- Hotel reservation or proof of accommodation
Processing Time
4–7 business days (standard); 1–3 days (express)
Duration
Single or multiple entry, up to 180 days per stay
Application Tips
- 1
Check visa-free eligibility first
Most Western patients don't need a visa at all since 2024.
- 2
Apply early
If you do need a visa, submit your application at least 2–4 weeks before travel.
- 3
Hospital invitation letter
For S2 visas, request an official invitation from the hospital's international department well in advance.
- 4
Complete documentation
Incomplete applications are the most common cause of delays.
- 5
Travel insurance
While not always mandatory, travel medical insurance strengthens your application.
- 6
Visa photos
Follow exact specifications: white background, 48mm × 33mm, recent.
- 7
Financial proof
Bank statements showing sufficient funds for medical expenses and living costs.