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The application process of China Medical Tourism Visa requires a combination of choosing the type of visa, preparation of documents, application channels and post-entry procedures, which vary slightly depending on the applicant's nationality, the nature of the medical institution (public/private) and the duration of stay. The following is based on China's current visa policy. Below is a detailed guide based on China's current visa policy (2024):
Clarification of Visa Type: “M” Visa for Medical Tourism (Visit Category)
According to the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Aliens, medical tourism belongs to the category of “engaging in activities related to the subject matter of entry”, and is usually applied for “M” visa (visit visa). The M visa is applicable to those who come to China for exchanges, visits, study tours, medical treatment, etc., and relevant certificates must be issued by the inviting party (Chinese medical institutions).
Exceptions: For short-term sightseeing + simple medical checkup (no hospitalization or complicated treatment), citizens of some countries can apply for “L” visa (tourist visa). “(Tourist Visa), but need to indicate in the application form ”including medical examination", specific need to consult the embassy or consulate.
Preliminary Preparation: List of Core Documents
Regardless of which channel you apply through, you need to prepare the following basic documents (some of them need to be notarized/certified):
1. valid passport
. The passport should be valid for at least 6 months and have at least 1 blank visa page; .
. Photocopies of the first page of the passport (personal information page) and previous Chinese visa pages (if any).
2. Visa application form and photo
. Fill in and print out the “Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China” (V.2013 version) online, which must be signed by the applicant; .
.1 recent color photo with white background (size 48mm×33mm, head width 15-22mm, height 28-33mm).
3. Medical related supporting documents
. Invitation letter issued by Chinese medical institution : It should contain the following information:
Patient's name, passport number, contact information.
Reason for medical treatment (disease diagnosis, treatment plan), expected time of medical treatment (accurate to week), length of stay (not more than 180 days).
The name, address and contact information of the medical institution (the official seal of the hospital must be stamped).
In case of hospitalization, it is necessary to indicate the level of the hospital and the department of hospitalization.
. Proof of qualification of the medical institution: private hospitals need to provide a copy of the Medical Institution Practice License (stamped with the official seal); public hospitals can directly use the qualification information published on the official website of the hospital.
Public hospitals can directly use the qualification information published on the hospital's official website. Proof of preliminary diagnosis: the diagnosis issued by the hospital in the patient's home country (to be translated into Chinese/English, some embassies and consulates require notarization).
4. Proof of financial ability
. Proof of ability to pay for medical and living expenses in China, including but not limited to:
Proof of bank deposit (frozen for more than 3 months, the amount is recommended to cover 2 times the total cost); and
Proof of income from the employer (stating the position, monthly salary, and time of leave granted).
Estimate of expenses issued by medical institution (stamp required).
5. Round-trip air ticket reservation form
Showing the applicant's name, flight number, time of departure and landing, and city (no payment is required, the reservation form is sufficient).
6. Other supplementary documents
. For minors (under 18 years old), birth certificate, copy of parents' passport and parents' consent (notarized).
. If accompanied by others (e.g. family members), the accompanying person must apply for a separate visa and provide proof of relationship with the patient (e.g. notarized certificate of kinship); .
. Citizens of some countries are required to provide a certificate of no criminal record (if the application is for a stay of more than 6 months).
Application Channels: Online application mainly, some countries can submit documents
Chinese visa applications are mainly submitted through the official websites of Chinese embassies and consulates abroad or the Visa Application Center (VAC). The process is as follows:
1. Fill in the online application form and make an appointment
. Log on to the official website of Chinese embassies and consulates in your country (e.g. Visa Section of the Chinese Embassy in the U.S.A.: https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn), and enter the “Visa Application” section; .
. Fill in the Visa Application Form and upload a photo (in the required size) after registering for an account.
. After submitting the application form, a “Confirmation Page” (with barcode) will be generated, which should be printed and submitted together with the documents.
2. Submission of documents and payment
. Submission method: by mail or on-site (some countries only support on-site submission).
. Payment: The visa fee varies slightly according to nationality (e.g. about US$160 for U.S. citizens and RMB 100 for Thai citizens) and can be paid by credit card, cash or local payment methods (subject to notification by the embassy or consulate).
. Expedited service: some embassies and consulates provide expedited (2-3 working days), additional fees (about 50-100 U.S. dollars), you need to specify the reason for the application (such as emergency).
3. Review and Collection of Documents
. After acceptance by the Embassy, Consulate or Visa Center, it usually takes 4 working days to review the application (excluding weekends and holidays).
. After the review, the applicant can choose to mail the passport (with visa) or collect it on-site; .
. Some countries (e.g. Singapore, Malaysia) support electronic visa (e-Visa), you can download the e-Visa page directly after approval and print it when you enter the country.
Key Procedures after Entry: Registration of Residence and Compliance with Medical Requirements
1. Residence registration within 24 hours of arrival
. All foreigners are required to apply for a Foreigner's Accommodation Registration Form at the hotel or medical institution where they are staying within 24 hours of entry (hotels usually assist in this process); .
. If staying at a friend or relative's home, they are required to file at the police station where they reside within 24 hours.
2. Medical institution filing (if hospitalized for more than 24 hours)
. Hospitalized patients are required to submit the Foreigner Hospitalization Record Form, invitation letter from the hospital, and a copy of the patient's passport by the hospital to the Exit-Entry Administration of the local public security organ to complete the record filing within 72 hours after the hospitalization.
3. Compliance with Visa Period of Stay
The period of stay of M visa is usually 30-180 days (the details are subject to the label of the visa), and it is necessary to apply for extension to the embassy or consulate 7 days before the expiration date (it is necessary to provide the certificate of extension treatment issued by the medical institution).
. If you need to stay for a long time (more than 180 days), you need to apply for conversion to “Q2” visa (family visit) or “S1” visa (residence with family) before the expiration of the period of stay, and submit the certificate of continuing treatment issued by the hospital.
Attention: avoiding visa refusal or violation of regulations
1. Authenticity of documents
All the documents (especially diagnostic certificate and invitation letter) should be true and effective. False documents will lead to visa refusal and affect the future entry record.
2. Qualification of medical institutions
Priority is given to Grade 3A hospitals or institutions in Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Advance Zone (BLIMTZ) in Hainan . Institutions in Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pioneer Zone (the policy is more flexible), private hospitals need to confirm that they have the License to Practice as a Medical Institution.
3. Emergency treatment
. If you need to extend the period of stay during the treatment, you should apply to the hospital 15 days in advance, and the hospital will assist you in the visa extension procedures.
. If you need to transfer to another hospital in case of sudden illness, you need to inform the inviting party (original medical institution) and update the visa documents in time.
Summarize: simplified version of the process
1. Select the hospital: confirm the qualification of the medical institution and get the invitation letter.
2. Prepare documents: passport, photos, application form, invitation letter, medical certificate, financial certificate, etc..
3. Submit the application: online through the official website of the embassy or consulate or visa center (some countries can send the application by mail).
4. Waiting for approval: Usually 4 working days, can apply for expediting; 5.
5. After entering the country : Register your stay within 24 hours, record your hospitalization for more than 24 hours, and comply with the regulations on the period of stay.
It is recommended to start the application 1-2 months in advance (more time is needed for complicated cases or first time application), and get the latest policy (such as visa fee adjustment, changes in material requirements) through the official website of Chinese embassies and consulates in your country.
The source address of the content citation:https://www.medicaltourismbiz.com/faq/China-Medical-Tourism-Visa-Application-Process.html
