Introduction
China has dramatically expanded its visa-free policies over the past two years, making it easier than ever for international patients to visit for medical treatment. Whether you are planning a short consultation, a multi-week treatment plan, or combining healthcare with tourism, understanding which visa pathway applies to you is essential.
This guide covers three distinct visa-free pathways into China as of June 2026:
- Transit Visa-Free (24-hour and 240-hour) — for travelers passing through to a third country
- Unilateral Visa-Free — China grants visa-free entry to 50 countries directly
- Mutual Visa Exemption — bilateral agreements covering ordinary passport holders
Each pathway has different requirements, allowed activities, and maximum stay periods. Let us break them down in detail.
Part 1: Transit Visa-Free (过境免签)
24-Hour Transit Visa-Free — Open to All Countries
Every country in the world qualifies for China's 24-hour transit visa-free policy. If you hold a valid passport and a connecting ticket to a third country, you can stay within the restricted area of any Chinese international airport, seaport, or railway port for up to 24 hours without a visa.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Eligible countries | All countries worldwide |
| Stay duration | Up to 24 hours |
| Activity area | Restricted zone of the port (cannot enter city) |
| Requirements | Valid passport + confirmed connecting ticket to a third country |
| Exit allowed? | To leave the restricted area, apply for a temporary entry permit |
Important: If you wish to leave the airport or port area (e.g. to visit the city during a layover), you must apply for a temporary entry permit at the port immigration inspection authority.
240-Hour (10-Day) Transit Visa-Free — 55 Countries
As of June 2025, China expanded its 240-hour transit visa-free policy to 55 countries. Eligible travelers can enter China without a visa for up to 10 days (240 hours, starting from midnight of the day after arrival), travel freely across 24 provinces, and engage in tourism, business, visits, or family reunions. Work, study, and news reporting still require a proper visa.
Key Requirements:
- Hold a valid passport from one of the 55 eligible countries
- Possess a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region (the departure country and destination must be different)
- Enter and exit through one of the 65 designated ports across 24 provinces
- Cannot exceed the 240-hour limit
Full List of 55 Eligible Countries
Europe (40 Countries)
| # | Country | # | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austria | 21 | Netherlands |
| 2 | Belgium | 22 | Poland |
| 3 | Czech Republic | 23 | Portugal |
| 4 | Denmark | 24 | Slovakia |
| 5 | Estonia | 25 | Slovenia |
| 6 | Finland | 26 | Spain |
| 7 | France | 27 | Sweden |
| 8 | Germany | 28 | Switzerland |
| 9 | Greece | 29 | Monaco |
| 10 | Hungary | 30 | Russia |
| 11 | Iceland | 31 | United Kingdom |
| 12 | Italy | 32 | Ireland |
| 13 | Latvia | 33 | Cyprus |
| 14 | Lithuania | 34 | Bulgaria |
| 15 | Luxembourg | 35 | Romania |
| 16 | Malta | 36 | Ukraine |
| 17 | Norway | 37 | Serbia |
| 18 | Croatia | 38 | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| 19 | Montenegro | 39 | North Macedonia |
| 20 | Albania | 40 | Belarus |
Americas (6 Countries)
| # | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | United States |
| 2 | Canada |
| 3 | Brazil |
| 4 | Mexico |
| 5 | Argentina |
| 6 | Chile |
Oceania (2 Countries)
| # | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Australia |
| 2 | New Zealand |
Asia (7 Countries)
| # | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | South Korea |
| 2 | Japan |
| 3 | Singapore |
| 4 | Brunei |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates |
| 6 | Qatar |
| 7 | Indonesia |
Total: 40 + 6 + 2 + 7 = 55 countries
Designated Ports (65 Ports across 24 Provinces)
Entry and exit must use one of the 65 designated ports. Key ports include:
| Province | Major Ports |
|---|---|
| Beijing | Capital International Airport, Daxing International Airport |
| Shanghai | Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Seaport |
| Guangdong | Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Shenzhen Airport, plus all other open ports for exit |
| Sichuan | Chengdu Tianfu Airport |
| Yunnan | Kunming Changshui Airport |
| Shaanxi | Xi'an Xianyang Airport |
| Fujian | Xiamen Gaoqi Airport, Fuzhou Changle Airport |
| Hainan | Haikou Meilan Airport, Sanya Phoenix Airport |
...and many more across the 24 participating provinces.
Permitted Activities
- Tourism — visit hospitals for consultation, sightseeing
- Business — medical business meetings, hospital tours
- Family visits — visit relatives in China
- Exchange visits — academic exchanges
Part 2: Unilateral Visa-Free (单方面免签) — 50 Countries
China has unilaterally granted visa-free entry to 50 countries. This policy was extended through December 31, 2026. Nationals of these countries holding ordinary passports can enter China without applying for a visa in advance for stays of up to 30 days.
Purpose of visit: Business, tourism, family visits, exchange visits, and transit.
Duration: Maximum 30 days (calculated from 00:00 of the day following entry).
Passport type: Ordinary passport required.
Full List of 50 Countries
Europe (35 Countries)
| # | Country | # | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andorra | 19 | Luxembourg |
| 2 | Austria | 20 | Malta |
| 3 | Belgium | 21 | Monaco |
| 4 | Bulgaria | 22 | Montenegro |
| 5 | Croatia | 23 | Netherlands |
| 6 | Cyprus | 24 | North Macedonia |
| 7 | Denmark | 25 | Norway |
| 8 | Estonia | 26 | Poland |
| 9 | Finland | 27 | Portugal |
| 10 | France | 28 | Romania |
| 11 | Germany | 29 | Russia |
| 12 | Greece | 30 | Slovakia |
| 13 | Hungary | 31 | Slovenia |
| 14 | Iceland | 32 | Spain |
| 15 | Ireland | 33 | Sweden |
| 16 | Italy | 34 | Switzerland |
| 17 | Latvia | 35 | United Kingdom |
| 18 | Liechtenstein |
Oceania (2 Countries)
| # | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Australia |
| 2 | New Zealand |
Asia (7 Countries)
| # | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bahrain |
| 2 | Brunei |
| 3 | Japan |
| 4 | Kuwait |
| 5 | Oman |
| 6 | South Korea |
| 7 | Saudi Arabia |
Americas (6 Countries)
| # | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina |
| 2 | Brazil |
| 3 | Canada |
| 4 | Chile |
| 5 | Peru |
| 6 | Uruguay |
Important Note
Countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and most of Western Europe appear on both the 240-hour transit list and the unilateral visa-free list. For these countries, the unilateral visa-free policy is more flexible because it does not require an onward ticket to a third country — you can fly directly from your home country to China and back.
Part 3: Mutual Visa Exemption (互免签证) — Ordinary Passport Countries
China has signed bilateral mutual visa exemption agreements with many countries. For the following nations, the agreement covers ordinary passports (not just diplomatic or service passports), allowing visa-free entry to China.
| Region | Country | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | Singapore | 30 days | Mutual since Feb 2024 |
| Thailand | 30 days | Max 90 days per 180-day period | |
| United Arab Emirates | 30 days | Also on unilateral list | |
| Kazakhstan | 30 days | Max 90 days per 180-day period | |
| Armenia | 90 days | Per 180-day period | |
| Georgia | 30 days | Max 90 days per 180-day period | |
| Maldives | 30 days | Since May 2022 | |
| Brunei | 14 days | Also on unilateral list | |
| Europe | Serbia | 30 days | First European mutual with ordinary passports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 90 days | Per 180-day period | |
| Belarus | 30 days | Max 90 days per year | |
| Albania | 90 days | Per 180-day period, effective March 2023 | |
| San Marino | 90 days | Within 3 months | |
| Americas | Ecuador | 30 days | Since 2016 |
| Barbados | 30 days | Since June 2017 | |
| Bahamas | 30 days | Valid passports | |
| Dominica | 30 days | Since Sep 2022 | |
| Grenada | 30 days | Since June 2015 | |
| Oceania | Fiji | 30 days | Since March 2015 |
| Tonga | 30 days | Since Aug 2016 | |
| Samoa | 30 days | Max 90 days per 180-day period, since April 2025 | |
| Africa | Mauritius | 60 days | Since June 2017 |
| Seychelles | 30 days | Valid passports | |
| Suriname | 30 days | Since May 2021 |
Comparison: Which Pathway Is Right for You?
| Factor | 240h Transit | Unilateral Visa-Free | Mutual Exemption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need onward ticket? | Yes (to 3rd country) | No | No |
| Max stay | 10 days | 30 days | 14-90 days |
| Countries covered | 55 | 50 | 20+ |
| Can work/study? | No | No | No |
| Entry ports | 65 designated ports | Any open port | Any open port |
| Best for | Short medical consultations, hospital tours | Full treatment plans up to 30 days | Extended recovery or multiple sessions |
Practical Tips for Medical Tourists
Check both lists. If your country is on both the 240-hour transit list and the unilateral list, use the unilateral option for maximum flexibility — you can fly direct without a third-country ticket.
Plan for the 30-day limit. Most medical treatments (consultation + procedure + recovery) fit within 30 days. For longer treatments, apply for a medical visa (S or Q visa).
Prepare documents. Even with visa-free entry, border officers may ask for:
- Return flight ticket
- Hotel booking confirmation
- Hospital appointment letter (recommended)
- Proof of sufficient funds
Combine cities. Under the 240-hour transit policy, you can freely travel across the 24 participating provinces. This is ideal for comparing hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
Medical tourism is allowed. Both the 240-hour transit policy and unilateral visa-free policy explicitly permit tourism, which includes medical tourism activities such as hospital visits, consultations, and receiving treatment.
Fly via Hong Kong or Macau. If your country is not on any visa-free list, consider flying into Hong Kong or Macau (which have separate visa policies), then using the 240-hour transit policy to enter mainland China from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I receive medical treatment under the visa-free policy?
Yes. Both the 240-hour transit visa-free and unilateral visa-free policies explicitly allow tourism and medical visits. You may attend consultations, undergo procedures, and recover in China. However, if you plan to work as a medical professional or engage in long-term study, you still need the appropriate visa.
Q: What if my country is not on any of these lists?
You will need to apply for a tourist (L) or medical (S) visa at your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate. You can also fly to Hong Kong first and explore the 240-hour transit option from there.
Q: Can I extend my stay beyond 30 days under the unilateral visa-free policy?
No. The visa-free entry is for a maximum of 30 days and cannot be extended. If you need longer, apply for a visa before travel.
Q: Can I work in China under the visa-free policy?
No. All visa-free policies strictly prohibit employment. If you intend to work, you must obtain a Z (work) visa.
Q: How do I calculate 240 hours for transit?
The 240-hour period starts counting from 00:00 (midnight) of the day after your arrival. For example, if you arrive on June 1 at 3:00 PM, the count starts at 00:00 on June 2, and you must leave by 23:59 on June 11.
Q: Is the transit policy valid for same-country round trips?
No. The transit policy requires you to travel from Country A → China → Country B, where A and B are different. For example, UK → China → Japan works, but UK → China → UK does not.
Q: Can my family visit me while I receive treatment?
Yes. If their country is on the visa-free list, they can enter using the same policy. Family visits are an explicitly permitted purpose.
Q: Are there any port restrictions for the unilateral visa-free policy?
No. Unlike the transit policy, the unilateral visa-free entry is available at any of China's open ports, including all international airports.
References
- National Immigration Administration of China — Transit Visa-Free and Unilateral Visa-Free Policies
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China — Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements
- Official website of the Chinese government (english.www.gov.cn)
- Embassy of the People's Republic of China — Visa Information