Visa & Entry
China has opened its doors wider to international visitors in recent years. Most patients from visa-free countries can enter without any paperwork; everyone else can use the S2 medical visa. Here's how each route works.
Key facts at a glance
- Unilateral visa-free: 50 countries, typically up to 30 days, for tourism, business, family visits and other purposes.
- 240-hour transit visa-free: available to passport holders of 55 countries when transiting China en route to a third country.
- Hainan visa-free: 61 countries, 30 days — explicitly includes medical treatment as a permitted purpose.
- US citizens: not on the 30-day unilateral visa-free list; plan for a regular visa or use transit visa-free where applicable.
Policies change frequently. Always confirm current entry rules with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country and official sources before booking travel.
Which route applies to you?
Start with visa-free entry — if your passport qualifies, that's the simplest path. If you need a longer stay, multiple entries, or are from a country without visa-free access, the S2 medical visa is designed for exactly this purpose.