Visa-free arrangements
Unilateral waivers and bilateral agreements differ. Confirm whether the medical purpose qualifies; nationality and a 30-day trip alone are insufficient.
PLAN YOUR MEDICAL JOURNEY
Visa guide for medical travel to China
Confirm entry requirements before arranging treatment and travel.
Reviewed: October 10, 2026 · Recheck current rules before travelLIN-GANG E-VISA
Lin-gang electronic port visaSkip the consulate tripPrepare documents remotely. Receive your e-visa after approval.
Online submission by inviting unitHospital documents coordinated by Zoying
Explore the benefits For eligible applicantsVerify three entry pathways separately
Transit
The August 2026 NIA notice lists 57 eligible countries and 65 ports. Qualifying travelers may stay up to 240 hours in permitted areas with genuine onward travel to a third country or region.
Visa applications
For medical private matters, ask the receiving authority about S visas. S2 covers short-term private matters up to 180 days; S1 concerns longer residence. The authority confirms category and permitted stay.
VISA-FREE ENTRY
30-day visa-free entry: check passport and purpose
Unilateral waivers and bilateral agreements have different passport, purpose, duration and validity conditions. A medical trip under 30 days still requires confirmation that its purpose qualifies.
Check the current policy for your nationality
Countries on the official unilateral list include France, Germany, the UK, Canada, Australia and Japan. For Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, check bilateral agreements separately. Recheck the list and validity for your departure date.
Describe the medical trip accurately
Hospital acceptance or short treatment does not automatically establish eligibility. Confirm with the local Chinese mission or 12367 before booking and prepare evidence of the actual itinerary.
Keep travel evidence accessible
Carry a valid passport, hospital appointment details, accommodation address and return or onward plans. Answer entry-inspection questions accurately and provide evidence when requested.
Unilateral waiver nationality list · 50 countries
Official list: 2026-02-17 · Reviewed: 2026-10-10
Europe 35
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Ireland
- Hungary
- Austria
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- Poland
- Slovenia
- Portugal
- Greece
- Cyprus
- Slovakia
- Norway
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Andorra
- Monaco
- Liechtenstein
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Croatia
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Malta
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Russia
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
Oceania 2
- Australia
- New Zealand
Asia and Middle East 7
- Brunei
- South Korea
- Japan
- Saudi Arabia
- Oman
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
Americas 6
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Chile
- Peru
- Uruguay
- Canada
This is the unilateral list, not a combined list of all bilateral agreements. Country-specific expiry dates vary. Russia’s waiver has been extended to December 31, 2027; check each nationality’s notice for your travel date.
Official list source ↗Visa waivers do not share a universal 2027 expiry. Check the notice applying to your nationality before booking.
240-HOUR TRANSIT
240-hour visa-free transit: genuine onward travel required
Third-country route format
USA → Shanghai → Japan ✓
Not a third-country route
USA → Shanghai → USA ✕
These examples illustrate transit routing only. An eligible ordinary passport, confirmed onward ticket, designated entry port and compliance with authorized areas and stay are also required. Treatment and recovery must fit the permitted stay.
Transit nationality list · 57 countries
Official list: 2026-08-20 · Reviewed: 2026-10-10
Europe 40
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Ireland
- Hungary
- Austria
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- Poland
- Slovenia
- Portugal
- Greece
- Cyprus
- Slovakia
- Norway
- Finland
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Monaco
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Croatia
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Malta
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Russia
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
- Albania
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Czech Republic
- Lithuania
- Serbia
- Ukraine
North America 2
- Canada
- United States
Latin America 4
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Mexico
Oceania 2
- Australia
- New Zealand
Asia and Middle East 9
- Brunei
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Qatar
- Singapore
- South Korea
- United Arab Emirates
- Vietnam
Eligibility also requires an ordinary passport, onward travel to a third country, designated ports and permitted stay areas.
Official list source ↗US citizens are listed for visa-free transit. A US–China–US medical trip cannot rely on that pathway. Confirm medical-purpose applicability with immigration or a Chinese mission before departure.
REGULAR VISA APPLICATION
Regular visas: understanding L, S2 and S1
There is no universal medical-tourism visa selected automatically by diagnosis or treatment length. Declare the true purpose and have the receiving mission confirm the category and documents.
| Category | Purpose and duration | What patients should confirm |
|---|---|---|
| L | Tourism; stay follows the issued visa. | L is not a general medical visa. For treatment as the main purpose, check whether a private-matter visa is needed. Tourism applications typically require itinerary or invitation evidence. |
| S2 | Short-term private matters, including medical purposes accepted by the authority; up to 180 days. | Check hospital admission evidence and the actual authorized stay. Surgery alone does not determine the category. |
| S1 | Long-term private matters requiring residence, generally over 180 days. | Confirm eligibility for long-term treatment first. S1 holders must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entry. |
Detailed application checklist
Passport, application and photo
Check local passport-validity, blank-page and photo requirements and complete the form. Former Chinese nationals, previous visa holders, third-country applicants and minors may need additional evidence.
Hospital acceptance documents
Ask the hospital which acceptance or admission evidence it can issue under local requirements. Check patient identity, purpose, dates and hospital contacts. Add medical summaries or treatment arrangements when requested.
Travel, accommodation and funding
Prepare itinerary, accommodation and funding evidence as required for the category. Cost estimates and insurance arrangements may explain the plan, but an insurer’s guarantee does not automatically replace financial evidence.
Separate companion applications
Companions must meet their own entry conditions. A medical-companion S2 checklist includes same-hospital companion evidence and proof of relationship; adding a name to the patient invitation is not sufficient by itself.
The receiving jurisdiction sets the checklist. This website does not accept passport or medical-record uploads. Staff first confirm the purpose, recipient and delivery channel.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
An application timeline from consultation to departure
Start coordination at least 3–4 weeks ahead as a planning recommendation, not an official processing promise. Hospital review, additional documents, appointments and consular review can take longer.
Step 1 · Confirm care and entry pathway
Discuss nationality, passport type, application location and expected treatment. Obtain hospital feedback before confirming the entry pathway.
Step 2 · Prepare documents
Coordinate hospital evidence, align identity and dates, and prepare forms and translations under local requirements.
Step 3 · Submit and await review
Use the relevant official system and follow instructions for submission, biometrics or interview and payment. Additional evidence may be requested.
Step 4 · Check issuance and finalize travel
Verify identity, entries, validity and duration of stay before finalizing hospital dates, flights, accommodation and transfers.
Confirm processing and fees locally. Brisbane’s center lists regular service as usually four working days, with longer individual cases possible; this excludes hospital-document preparation and overall coordination.
Visa center: processing-time example ↗Practical tips for medical travel and your stay
Allow recovery and follow-up time
Allow time for treatment, recovery, follow-up and medical advice on fitness to fly. Budget for care, accommodation, companions and transport.
Carry essential documents
Keep your passport, visa, hospital contacts, appointments and necessary medical summary accessible, with secure backups. Complete entry information under official instructions.
Register accommodation
Hotels handle registration. Outside hotels, you or your host must register within 24 hours of arrival at the accommodation; official online channels include NIA 12367.
Discuss extensions early
If treatment runs longer, contact local exit-entry authorities before the lawful stay expires to confirm hospital evidence and deadlines. Extensions require approval.
Verify actual insurance coverage
Ordinary travel insurance may exclude planned care. Ask about pre-existing conditions, elective treatment, networks, authorization, direct billing or reimbursement and return-travel changes.
Prepare payment and communication
Ask the hospital about overseas cards, cash and mobile payment and keep a backup. Share language needs and confirm accompaniment and medical-interpreting arrangements.
Avoid these document issues before submission
Inconsistent identity or forms
Align passport names and numbers across forms and hospital evidence. Complete required fields and explain the trip accurately.
Documents that do not match the plan
Align hospital dates, accommodation and flights. Check that hospital evidence meets local requirements and distinguish proposed plans from confirmed arrangements.
Incomplete supporting evidence
Check passport, photo, translations, relationship and funding evidence early. Do not rely on an unverified universal rule requiring funds of 120% of treatment costs.
How can Zoying assist?
Entry-pathway and document planning
Organize questions based on hospital feedback and help check the official local checklist.
Hospital-document coordination
Coordinate acceptance, admission and companion documentation with the center and hospital. The hospital decides what it can issue.
Travel and follow-up coordination
Align hospital dates with travel and help organize documents for communication when care plans change.
Visa issuance, residence and extension decisions rest with the authorities.
Common patient questions
Does hospital acceptance guarantee a visa?
No. Hospital evidence supports an application; authorities decide acceptance, issuance and entry.
Can an e-visa cover long-term treatment?
Published port e-visa rules allow up to 30 days. Longer treatment needs another verified visa or lawful stay arrangement.
Should I book flights before confirmation?
Confirm hospital timing and entry requirements first. Check cancellation and change terms if early booking is necessary.
How can Zoying help?
We help with hospital liaison, document checklists and travel coordination. Confirm the service scope before arrangements begin.
Confirm care arrangements, then plan entry
Tell us your nationality, expected stay and preferred hospital so our team can help plan the next steps.