Thirty days visa-free for 40+ countries. Ten-day visa-free transit for 55+. And for treatment trips, a hospital invitation letter that makes the visa application straightforward. Here is what actually applies to you.
China's entry rules are the most open they have been in decades — but the programmes are designed for tourism, business and transit, not for planned treatment. Choosing the right route is the difference between a smooth arrival and a problem at the border.
Up to 30 days, no visa. Ordinary passport holders of 40+ countries, currently valid through 31 December 2026. Officially intended for tourism, business, family visits, exchange and transit.
Up to 10 days for citizens of 55+ countries (including the United States) who are passing through China to a third country. Requires an onward ticket within 240 hours and travel within 24 provincial regions.
Our recommendation for treatment trips. The hospital issues the invitation letter; the visa category (typically M, or S2 for longer courses) is confirmed by the consulate handling your case. Works for every nationality and for stays beyond 30 days.
Medical treatment is not itself a listed purpose of China's visa-free programmes. If you travel on a visa-free entry for a check-up that is incidental to a holiday, that is one thing — but if the main reason for your trip is surgery, diagnostics or a treatment course, the safe route is a visa supported by a hospital invitation letter, which we prepare for you. We confirm the current rules for your nationality before you book flights.
| Route | Who it suits | Maximum stay | What you must provide | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day visa-free entry | Short, low-risk visits — check-ups, dental work, imaging — for eligible passports | 30 days | Passport valid 6+ months, return ticket, accommodation address, appointment confirmation | Medical treatment is not a listed purpose; you cannot extend this easily, and you may be questioned about the purpose of your visit |
| 240-hour transit exemption | Passing through China en route to a third country; short diagnostic or dental trips | 240 hours (10 days) | Onward ticket to a third country within 240 h, passport valid 3+ months, entry at a designated port | You must stay within the permitted regions, and an onward ticket is mandatory — unsuitable for planned surgery |
| Visa + hospital invitation letter | Anyone travelling specifically for treatment; all nationalities; stays over 30 days | Typically up to 90 days, extendable in-country for medical reasons | Hospital invitation letter, records summary, accommodation, financial means, travel insurance | Allow 5–10 working days for processing; start the invitation letter early |
Summary as of October 2026 for ordinary passports. Entry rules are extended and amended frequently and consulates apply them for your specific circumstances — we always verify the current position for your nationality before you commit to travel dates.
Ordinary passport holders from the following countries may enter China for up to 30 consecutive days without a visa, currently valid through 31 December 2026.
France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Andorra, South Korea, Japan, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain
Citizens of countries outside the list — including the United States — travel on a visa supported by a hospital invitation letter. We prepare the letter and a document checklist for the Chinese embassy or visa centre serving your country.
The list has been extended repeatedly, and recent announcements have added further countries. Do not rely on an out-of-date list: send us your nationality and we will confirm your options before you book anything.
Once your appointment and treatment plan are confirmed, the hospital issues an official letter that unlocks your visa application.
We review your records, agree the treatment direction and identify the hospital and department. Free, with no obligation.
We coordinate with the hospital's international office and send you the letter plus a checklist tailored to the embassy that serves your country.
You file at the Chinese embassy or visa centre, or with an appointed agent. Some consulates offer expedited handling; hospitals can prioritise invitation letters for time-sensitive cases.
Your appointments are booked before you fly. Total time from first message to departure is typically two to three weeks.
Extended treatment courses (oncology, rehabilitation, staged surgery) are planned on a visa that can be extended in-country for medical reasons; the hospital applies on your behalf while you are under its care. Separately, Hainan province runs its own visa-free entry for citizens of 60+ countries, and the Boao Lecheng pilot zone is the only place in China where some internationally approved drugs and devices can be used before national approval — worth asking about if you are exploring advanced oncology options.
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with an international Visa or Mastercard before you travel — both now accept foreign cards, and QR payment works in virtually every hospital, pharmacy and shop. Keep a second card as backup, and some cash in RMB for small purchases.
Some Western messaging and social apps are not accessible from mainland China, so we run patient communication through WeChat, email and phone. We send you a WeChat QR code before departure. A tourist SIM or eSIM can be bought on arrival with your passport, or arranged for you.
Hotels register foreign guests with the police automatically — just present your passport and visa. We book accommodation within walking distance of the hospital wherever possible, or an apartment for longer stays, and we handle the residence registration paperwork for longer courses.
Bring imaging on disc or USB, not only printed reports, plus pathology, discharge summaries and your current medication list. If documents are only in your own language, send them ahead — we arrange Chinese translation before your appointment.
Airport transfers are included in our coordination. Between cities, high-speed rail is fast, punctual and easy to book — useful if your specialist is in a different city from your arrival airport. We book and brief you on the whole itinerary.
120 ambulance · 110 police · 119 fire. Your coordinator's mobile number and WeChat are given to you and to your companion on arrival, and we are reachable throughout your stay.
Visa and entry rules are set by the Chinese government, change frequently, and are applied by consular officers and border officials case by case. Nothing here guarantees entry, and we cannot obtain a visa for you — only you can apply. We verify the current requirements for your nationality before you book flights, prepare your invitation letter and document checklist, and tell you immediately if your plans are likely to be a problem at the border.
