Important: ChinaCare does not provide visa services, immigration advice, or assistance with visa applications. The information below is general and may not reflect the latest policy. Always verify entry requirements with the official Chinese embassy or consulate in your country before travelling.
China has expanded its visa-free entry programme significantly since 2024. For many medical travellers, this means short visits are possible without prior visa arrangements.
Who qualifies for visa-free entry?
As of early 2026, citizens of many countries — including most EU member states, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Switzerland, and others — can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days.
The full list and exact duration of stay are set by the Chinese National Immigration Administration and can change without notice. Check the official NIA website or your country's Chinese embassy for the current policy before booking travel.
What 10 days typically covers
For most short medical visits, 10 days is sufficient:
- A single consultation or imaging appointment: 2–5 day trip
- Outpatient procedure with overnight stay (e.g. cataract surgery): 5–7 days
- Minor surgery with short recovery (e.g. cardiac stenting): 7–10 days
For planned inpatient stays requiring more than 10 days in-country, you will need to arrange a visa in advance.
Stays beyond 10 days
If your treatment or recovery requires a longer stay, you must apply for the appropriate visa independently through your local Chinese embassy or consulate before travelling. ChinaCare cannot assist with visa applications or documentation for visa purposes.
Entry practicalities
- Port of entry: Most international patients fly into Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, or Chengdu Tianfu airports.
- Health declaration: No health declaration is currently required for entry (subject to change).
- Travel insurance: Not legally required but strongly recommended for any medical travel abroad.
Returning with medical records
On departure, you may carry your hospital discharge summary, imaging films, and pathology reports without restriction. Your coordinator can arrange for key documents to be translated into your language before you leave the hospital.
This article is for general information only. Visa policies change — always check with your local Chinese embassy or consulate before travelling. Contact us if you have questions about our coordination services.