Coming to China for Surgery: the 2026 Visa Guide

Updated September 2026. China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy covers citizens of 55 countries — and a 10-day window is enough for the majority of surgical trips. Here is exactly how entry works, and what documents to carry.

Option 1: 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit (Most Patients)

Citizens of 55 countries — including the USA, UK, most of the EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and more — may enter China without any visa and stay up to 240 hours (10 days) while in transit to a third country or returning home.

• Book a ticket arriving in China and departing for any third country or region (not your origin country)
• Entry permission is granted at immigration on arrival — no prior application
• You may travel freely within the permitted province/region during the 240 hours
• A hip or knee replacement trip (14 days) fits with a one-day extension of itinerary planning; most spine, cardiac workup and screening trips fit comfortably

Option 2: L Tourist Visa (Longer Stays)

For longer recoveries, multi-stage IVF cycles, or complex cases: apply for a standard Chinese tourist visa at your nearest Chinese consulate or through a visa service. Single-entry tourist visas are typically issued for 30–60 day stays and processed in 4–7 business days. A hospital invitation letter from us supports your application.

What Documents to Carry

• Passport valid 6+ months, with onward ticket to a third country (for visa-free transit)
• Hospital appointment letter (we provide, both print and digital)
• Hotel booking and return/onward itinerary
• Medical records and imaging (discs or DICOM files) for your consultations
• Payment cards: international Visa/Mastercard work at hospital international departments; we guide you on cash and mobile payment setup

Arriving in Tsingtao