China visa for
medical treatment
China has no medical visa. For planned treatment, most patients apply for an S2 visa (up to 180 days) with an invitation letter from the treating hospital. China’s 30-day visa-free entry for 50 countries does not list medical treatment as a purpose, but Hainan’s 30-day visa-free entry does, and it covers 61 countries including the United States. The 240-hour visa-free transit is for travellers continuing to a third country, not for planned treatment.
Official sources checked 8 November 2026. Entry rules change: confirm with the Chinese embassy or consulate that handles your application before you travel.
Four ways in, compared
| Route | Who can use it | Longest stay | Medical treatment a listed purpose? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 visa (S1 for longer) | Any nationality, with the hospital’s invitation letter | Up to 180 days (S2) | Yes, this is the usual route | Planned inpatient treatment anywhere in mainland China |
| 30-day visa-free entry | Ordinary passports of 50 countries, e.g. UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, most of Europe. Not the US1 | 30 days, until 31 Dec 2026 | No: business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, transit | Check with the embassy first; consultations or a short visit on another purpose |
| Hainan 30-day visa-free entry | 61 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and Australia2,3 | 30 days, within Hainan only | Yes3 | Treatment in Hainan, including the Boao Lecheng medical zone |
| 240-hour visa-free transit | 57 countries, with an onward ticket to a third country or region2,4 | 10 days, in permitted areas of 24 provinces | No | A short stop on the way elsewhere, not planned treatment |
The S2 visa: the usual route for treatment
For treatment of up to 180 days, patients usually apply for an S2 (private affairs) visa; for longer treatment, an S1. The key document is an invitation letter from the treating hospital, issued once it has reviewed your records and agreed to treat you. You apply through the Chinese embassy, consulate or visa application service centre for where you live, starting with the online form5. Your embassy or consulate makes the final decision, and an invitation letter does not guarantee a visa.
With YETO, we arrange the invitation letter after the hospital confirms and you make the first payment, so leave time for the visa before booking flights. See how the six steps work.
30-day visa-free entry: check before using it for treatment
Ordinary passport holders from 50 countries can currently enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days. The UK and Canada were added from 17 February 2026. For 48 of the 50 countries the policy runs until 31 December 20261. The listed purposes are business, tourism, visiting family and friends, exchanges and transit. Medical treatment is not listed, so for planned treatment ask the embassy before relying on it, and get a visa if your stay might pass 30 days.
Hainan: visa-free entry that includes treatment
Hainan Province has its own 30-day visa-free policy, which lists medical treatment among the allowed purposes3. Since 20 August 2026 it covers 61 countries, after Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan were added2. You must fly or sail directly into Hainan (connecting through Hong Kong, Macao or a third country is allowed), stay within Hainan, and apply to Hainan’s exit-entry authorities before the 30 days end if you need longer. If treatment is in Shanghai or Beijing, this route does not help.
240-hour visa-free transit
Citizens of 57 countries, including the US, can stay up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa when travelling on to a third country or region, entering through one of 65 designated ports and staying within the permitted areas of 24 provinces2,4. It suits a short stop, not planned treatment with admission dates that can move.
Which route fits you
- US citizens: treatment in Hainan, use Hainan visa-free entry; treatment in Shanghai or Beijing, apply for an S2 visa.
- UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, most EU countries: for planned treatment, an S2 visa is the safe route; ask the embassy if you want to rely on visa-free entry for a short visit.
- Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and other countries with mutual visa-exemption agreements: check the agreement’s permitted purposes with the Chinese embassy.
- Any stay that could pass 30 days: get a visa before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a medical visa for China?
No. China has no separate medical visa. Patients coming for planned treatment usually apply for an S2 (private affairs) visa for stays of up to 180 days, supported by an invitation letter from the treating hospital, or an S1 visa for longer treatment. The embassy or consulate makes the final decision.
Can I use China’s 30-day visa-free entry for medical treatment?
Citizens of 50 countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and most of Europe, can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. The listed purposes are business, tourism, visiting family and friends, exchanges and transit; medical treatment is not among them. For planned treatment, check with the Chinese embassy or consulate before you travel, and get a visa if your stay could run past 30 days.
Can Americans enter China visa-free for medical treatment?
Not under the national 30-day policy, which does not cover the United States. US citizens can use Hainan’s 30-day visa-free entry, which lists medical treatment as an allowed purpose, if they fly or sail directly into Hainan and stay within Hainan. For treatment in Shanghai or Beijing, US citizens normally need a visa.
Can I use the 240-hour visa-free transit for treatment?
It is designed for transit: you must hold an onward ticket to a third country or region, enter through one of 65 designated ports and stay within the permitted areas for no more than 10 days. It may cover a short outpatient visit on the way somewhere else, but it is not a route for planned inpatient treatment.
Who provides the invitation letter, and when?
The treating hospital issues it. With YETO, we arrange it after the hospital has confirmed it can treat you and you have made the first payment. An invitation letter supports your application but does not guarantee a visa or entry.
Can a family member come with me?
Yes. The hospital invitation letter can usually name an accompanying family member, who applies for their own visa or uses visa-free entry if eligible.
What if my treatment takes longer than my permitted stay?
Apply to the local exit-entry administration before your permitted stay ends, and ask us and the hospital for the documents you will need. Do not overstay. If you know treatment may run long, apply for the right visa before you travel.
Will the 30-day visa-free policy continue in 2027?
For 48 of the 50 countries it currently runs until 31 December 2026 (Russia’s runs to 31 December 2027 and Brunei’s has no end date). As of 8 November 2026, no extension into 2027 has been announced. Previous extensions were announced in November; we will update this page when there is news.
Bringing medicines? See medicines at Chinese customs. Choosing who to work with? Read how to choose a medical travel coordinator.
Sources
- Chinese Visa Application Service Center: extension of the unilateral visa-free policy, and UK and Canada from 17 February 2026.
- National Immigration Administration: Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam added to 240-hour transit and Hainan visa-free entry (20 August 2026).
- Chinese Embassy in the US: Hainan visa-free entry policy guide.
- Shanghai Government: 240-hour visa-free transit policy (source: National Immigration Administration).
- China Online Visa Application.
Last updated: 8 November 2026.