240-Hour (10-Day) Transit Visa-Free
China's transit visa-free policy allows a stay of 240 hours (10 days) — up from the earlier 72/144-hour rules — and as of August 2026 covers 57 countries. It fits short diagnostic visits, but it is a transit route, not a treatment route.
- Who qualifies: citizens of 57 countries — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and most of the EU.
- Where you can enter: 60 designated ports — covering Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and other major medical cities.
- Where you can travel: 24 provinces — the policy now allows cross-province movement within the approved region, so you are not confined to the arrival city.
- What you need: a passport valid for at least 3 months, plus a confirmed onward ticket to a third country (or region) within 240 hours.
Fits: MRI / CT / PET-CT, specialist consultation, written second opinion, and short outpatient procedures — all typically completed within 10 days.
30-Day Unilateral Visa-Free Entry
China grants unilateral visa-free entry (up to 30 days) to ordinary passport holders from 50 countries. Unlike transit visa-free, you do not need an onward ticket to a third country — you arrive and stay up to 30 days.
- Permitted purposes: business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit.
- Not covered: medical treatment is not on the list. Nor are work, study or news coverage.
- Validity: in effect through 31 December 2026 for most eligible countries (Brunei has no expiry; Russia runs to 31 December 2027).
What this means in practice: if you are coming to China for treatment — even a short course — apply for the appropriate visa rather than relying on visa-free entry. Arriving on a visa-free entry for a purpose that is not permitted can mean refusal at the border.
Visa-free lists and purposes change — always verify current rules with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before booking.
M & S2 Visas (with Hospital Invitation Letter)
For surgery or inpatient care you apply for a visa. There is no medical category to select — the medical purpose is established by the hospital's invitation letter, and the consulate admits you under whichever category fits (see below).
| Visa | Official purpose | Typically used for | Invitation letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| M | Business and trade activities | Surgery and inpatient treatment — the usual route | Required |
| S2 | Short-term private affairs | Longer treatment courses; family accompanying a patient | Hospital documents + proof of relationship for escorts |
| L | Tourism | Short consultations and minor outpatient procedures | Usually not required |
Which one will you be given? In practice hospital treatment is admitted under M. S2 is used where the stay is longer or where a family member is travelling with you. Because the category is decided by the consulate rather than by the hospital, confirm it with the consulate handling your application before you commit to a treatment date.
How the invitation letter works
Once your appointment is confirmed, the hospital's International Medical Center issues an invitation letter. It must state your name exactly as it appears in your passport, your passport number, the planned treatment and expected dates, the treating doctor's name and title, and carry the hospital's official stamp. You submit it with your application. We coordinate this letter as part of hospital matching — you do not chase it alone.
Which option fits your case?
| Your visit | Typical duration | Best option |
|---|---|---|
| MRI / CT / PET-CT or second opinion | 2–7 days | 240h transit visa-free (if you have an onward third-country ticket) or an L visa |
| Initial consultation + short workup | 3–10 days | L visa — or 240h transit visa-free with an onward ticket |
| Major surgery + recovery | 2–6 weeks | M visa (with invitation letter) |
| Ongoing treatment (cancer, rehabilitation) | 1–6 months | M visa; S2 where a family member accompanies you |
Short consultative visits are the one case where a visa-free route can work — but only if you hold an onward ticket to a third country (transit visa-free). For anything involving hospital admission, apply for a visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does China have a medical visa?
No. Chinese visa law has no medical category. Hospital treatment is admitted under an existing category — in practice almost always the M visa (business/trade), supported by an invitation letter from the hospital. The S2 visa (short-term private affairs) is used for longer treatment courses or when a family member accompanies the patient. The category is decided by the consulate handling your application.
Can I enter China without a visa for medical treatment?
Be careful here. China's 30-day unilateral visa-free entry (50 countries) covers business, tourism, family visits, exchange and transit — medical treatment is not on the list. The 240-hour transit visa-free policy (57 countries) requires an onward ticket to a third country and is not a route for planned treatment. If you are coming for treatment, apply for the appropriate visa rather than assuming visa-free entry covers you.
What is the 240-hour transit visa-free policy?
Eligible citizens of 57 countries transiting China can stay up to 240 hours (10 days) visa-free, entering through 60 designated ports and travelling within 24 provinces — provided they hold a passport valid 3+ months and a confirmed onward ticket within 240 hours.
Does the hospital provide an invitation letter?
Yes — once your appointment is confirmed, the hospital's International Medical Center issues an invitation letter stating your name exactly as in your passport, your passport number, the planned treatment and dates, the treating doctor's name and title, and the hospital's official stamp. It is required for an M visa, and worth having even where visa-free entry applies.
Not sure which visa applies to you?
Tell us your nationality, your condition, and how long you expect to stay. We'll confirm the right visa path and the practical next step — free, no commitment.
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