Visas and entry
Which visa do you need for medical treatment in China?
China has widened visa-free entry a lot since 2024. None of the official announcements we have read list medical treatment as a permitted purpose. This guide sets out what each policy says, in the authorities' own terms, so you can ask the right question at the embassy.
The short answer
If your trip is for treatment, ask the Chinese embassy or consulate that serves you which visa to apply for, and state the purpose plainly. The S2 private affairs visa is the route most patients we have read about use. Visa-free and transit entry exist, but their published purposes do not mention treatment.
Some agency websites say you can use visa-free transit for a consultation or a scan but not for surgery. We have not found an official text that says this, so we do not repeat it as a rule.
The options side by side
| Route | Maximum stay | Treatment listed as a purpose? | Main condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 240-hour visa-free transit | 240 hours | No | 57 eligible countries; onward ticket to a third country; entry at 65 listed ports; stay within designated areas |
| 30-day visa-free entry | 30 days | No | Ordinary passport of a listed country; most listed countries until 31 Dec 2026 |
| Hainan 30-day visa-free entry | 30 days, Hainan only | Not verified | 61 countries from 20 Aug 2026 |
| S2 private affairs visa | Up to 180 days | Used for treatment in practice | Visa application; some centres list a hospital admission certificate |
The M visa is a business and trade visa. Some websites describe it as a medical visa; it is not.
What each policy says
240-hour visa-free transit
Checked 19 Oct 2026Citizens of 57 countries holding an onward ticket with a confirmed date and seat to a third country or region may enter visa-free through 65 open ports and stay within the designated area for up to 240 hours. Permitted short-term activities listed by the authorities are tourism, business, visits and family visits. Work, study and news reporting still require a visa.
For treatment: Medical treatment is not among the activities listed in the announcement. Do not plan surgery or a hospital stay on this basis; ask the Chinese embassy or consulate before you book.
30-day visa-free entry (selected countries)
Checked 19 Oct 2026Ordinary passport holders of listed countries may enter visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits or transit. The United Kingdom and Canada were added from 17 February 2026. For most listed countries the policy runs until 31 December 2026.
For treatment: The listed purposes do not include medical treatment. Confirm with the Chinese embassy or consulate before travelling for treatment.
S2 short-term private affairs visa
Checked 19 Oct 2026The S2 visa is issued to people who need to stay in China for private matters, for up to 180 days. Some visa application centres list a hospital admission certificate (if applicable) among the documents.
For treatment: This is the route most commonly used for treatment. Requirements differ by application centre, so check the checklist of the centre that serves you.
Hainan 30-day visa-free entry
Checked 19 Oct 2026Hainan Province operates its own 30-day visa-free entry policy. From 20 August 2026 it covers 61 countries.
For treatment: Some agencies say Hainan's policy covers medical treatment. We have not been able to confirm this in an official text. The policy applies to Hainan only.
Step by step
1. Confirm the hospital first
Get written confirmation from the hospital that it will see you, and on which date. A visa centre may ask for it, and it fixes the length of your stay. Our hospital profiles list each hospital's published contact details.
2. Check your centre's document list
Each Chinese visa application centre publishes its own checklist, and lists differ between centres. Look for the S2 checklist of the centre that serves your place of residence.
3. Plan for a longer stay than you expect
Treatment can take longer than planned: an extra test, a delayed result, a follow-up visit. Ask before you travel how an extension would work, not after.
4. Match your entry port to your plan
If you fly into Hong Kong and cross into Shenzhen, or land at one of Beijing's two airports, check that your entry permission covers that port. Shanghai has two airports as well. The city comparison lists them.
5. Sort out payment and documents
Once the visa is in hand, read how to pay a Chinese hospital and what to bring to your first appointment.
When to apply
Apply once the hospital has confirmed your appointment in writing and you know roughly how long you will stay. Applying earlier risks a visa that does not match your dates; applying too late leaves no room for delays at the visa centre. If you are still comparing hospitals and prices, use the hospital profiles and the costs page first, then apply.
Family members and companions
Many patients travel with a partner or relative. Ask the visa centre whether a companion should apply under the same category and which documents link the two applications. A companion who will stay with you in hospital may also need a letter from the hospital; ask the hospital whether it issues one.
If you already live in China
Foreign residents with a valid residence permit do not need a separate visa to see a doctor. The practical questions are language, payment and which hospital to choose; see the treatments overview and our other guides.
Common mistakes we see
- Booking non-refundable flights before the hospital confirms the date.
- Assuming the 240-hour transit policy covers a hospital stay because an agency website said so.
- Entering through a port that the entry permission does not cover.
- Planning the exact number of days a procedure takes, with no margin for an extra test.
- Sending medical records by ordinary email to people you have not checked. Our privacy policy explains why we never ask for records through this site.
How we keep this guide current
Each policy card shows the date we last checked it against its source. We re-check at least every 90 days, and sooner when a new announcement appears. Our verification method explains the process. If you ask us to coordinate a visit, we check the rules again for your passport and dates; the fee for that is on the pricing page, and who we are is set out on our about page.
What we will not tell you
We will not tell you to enter on a tourist basis for surgery. If the authorities decide the purpose of your trip did not match your entry, you carry that risk, not the agency that suggested it. This is part of our editorial policy.
Questions to ask the embassy or visa centre
Copy and send these with your hospital confirmation attached.
- I am travelling to China for planned medical treatment at [hospital] from [date] to [date]. Which visa category should I apply for?
- Which documents from the hospital do you need, and must they be translated?
- Can family members accompanying me apply in the same category?
- If my treatment takes longer than planned, how do I extend my stay?
- Does my entry permission cover the port I plan to use?
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the 240-hour visa-free transit for a medical check-up?
The official announcement lists tourism, business, visits and family visits, not treatment. Some agencies say short consultations are fine; we have not found an official text that says so. Ask the embassy before relying on it.
Is there a special medical visa for China?
We have not found an official visa category named for medical treatment. The S2 private affairs visa is the route patients usually describe.
How long can I stay on an S2 visa?
Up to 180 days, according to visa centre information. The exact duration on your visa is set when it is issued.
Does the hospital need to send me a letter?
Some visa centres list a hospital admission certificate where applicable. Ask the hospital whether it can issue one.
Sources
- 240-hour visa-free transit extended to 57 countries and 65 ports, Xinhua (relaying National Immigration Administration), 20 Aug 2026. Read 19 Oct 2026. Official announcement relayed by state media; original NIA notice not located.
- Visa-free entry for UK and Canadian passport holders from 17 February 2026, China Daily (relaying Ministry of Foreign Affairs), 15 Feb 2026. Read 19 Oct 2026.
- S2 visa: required documents, Chinese Visa Application Service Center (Alexandria). Read 19 Oct 2026. Lists hospital admission certificate (if applicable).
- China Draws More Foreign Patients, but Medical Tourism Is Still a Niche, Caixin Global, 5 Feb 2026. Read 19 Oct 2026. Partly paywalled.