In practice, treatment trips usually enter on an M visa (business or medical purpose) issued by the Chinese embassy or consulate; in some cases companions travel on S or Q family-visit visas. The exact category and documents follow the mission’s current rules and differ between countries.
The core document: the hospital invitation letter
The invitation is issued by the treating hospital’s international patient office and must state the patient’s name and passport number, the planned treatment, the expected admission dates, and a hospital contact with details, under the hospital seal. A generic invitation without a defined treatment plan is often rejected.
What else is usually required
- Passport (validity ideally six months beyond the trip) and previous visa history;
- A cost estimate from the hospital or coordinator, plus proof of funds;
- Round-trip flight booking and accommodation arrangements;
- Overseas medical or travel insurance covering the stay;
- For accompanying relatives, separate proof of relationship.
Timeline and after arrival
- With documents complete, the invitation usually issues in three to seven working days;
- Visa processing varies by mission; allow three to six weeks;
- If a longer stay is needed, apply to the local exit-entry administration before the permitted stay expires, usually with a hospital letter confirming continued treatment.
Visa policy changes; this is not legal advice. Always follow the mission’s website and the exit-entry authority’s current rules. We assist with invitation letters and itinerary documents but do not decide visa outcomes.