Explore China Visa-Free:
Your Gateway to World-Class Medical Care

Policy Overview: Seamless Access to China

China's unilateral visa-free policy, which began rolling out in November 2024, allows holders of ordinary passports from 54 specified countries to enter China for various purposes including business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit. The most remarkable benefit for international patients is the freedom to stay for up to 30 days without the need to apply for a visa in advance. This timeframe is often sufficient for a wide range of medical procedures, from routine check-ups to minor surgeries.

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Why China for Medical Treatment?

China is rapidly emerging as a global leader in medical tourism, offering advanced healthcare facilities, cutting-edge treatments, and highly skilled medical professionals at a fraction of the cost found in many Western countries. With this new visa-free policy, international patients can conveniently access:

• Dental services

• Vision treatments

• Dermatology services

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies

• Minor surgeries such as skin lesion removal, ingrown toenail correction, or cataract procedures, which can often be comfortably completed within the 30-day visa-free window.

Chinese hospitals are renowned for their unmatched efficiency, ensuring that patients can receive timely and effective care.

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Are You Eligible?

Countries Included in the 30-Day Visa-Free Policy As of June 7, 2025, the policy covers 54 countries. Here’s a comprehensive list of the applicable countries:

• Asia (12 Countries):

  • Long-term Effective: Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Japan, South Korea (Policy Announcement Date: 2024-11-22)

  • Visa-Free End Date: 2025-12-31: Maldives, Kazakhstan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Armenia, Georgia (Policy Announcement Date: 2025-04-02)

• Europe (21 Countries):

  • Visa-Free End Date: 2025-12-31: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg (Policy Announcement Date: 2024-11-22)

  • Visa-Free End Date: 2025-12-31: Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland (Policy Announcement Date: 2025-04-02)

• Americas (11 Countries):

  • Visa-Free End Date: 2025-12-31: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Suriname (Policy Announcement Date: 2025-04-02)

  • Visa-Free End Date: 2026-05-31: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay (Policy Announcement Date: 2025-06-02)

• Oceania (8 Countries):

  • Visa-Free End Date: 2025-12-31: Fiji, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Australia, New Zealand (Policy Announcement Date: 2025-04-02)

• Middle East (4 Countries):

  • Visa-Free End Date: 2026-05-31: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain (Policy Announcement Date: 2025-06-02)

Key Requirements & Important Notes for Your Journey

To ensure a smooth entry into China, keep the following in mind:

• Passport Type: Only ordinary passports are applicable. Travel certificates, temporary documents, or emergency documents are not accepted for visa-free entry. Your passport should be valid for at least the duration of your intended stay.

• Purpose of Stay: Your visit must align with the visa-free policy's scope (business, tourism, visiting relatives/friends, exchange, transit). This policy does not apply if your purpose of stay is for work, study, journalistic activities, or similar purposes.

• Supporting Documents (Recommended): While not mandatory for everyone, it is highly recommended to carry supporting materials such as invitation letters, flight bookings, and hotel reservation receipts. Border inspection authorities may randomly check these documents to verify your purpose of entry.

• No Advance Declaration Needed: Eligible individuals do not need to make declarations in advance to Chinese embassies or consulates before entering China without a visa.

• Multiple Entries Allowed: You are permitted multiple visa-free entries to China. However, each individual stay shall not exceed 30 days. There are currently no restrictions on the number of entries or total days of stay under this policy, provided you adhere to the purpose of entry.

• Calculating Your Stay: The 30-day duration is calculated continuously from the date of entry until 24:00 on the 30th calendar day.

• Overstaying: If you need to stay longer than 30 days due to appropriate and sufficient reasons (e.g., extended medical treatment), you must apply for a stay permit from the public security organs. Failure to do so may result in repatriation and could affect your ability to enter China in the future.

• Minors: The visa waiver requirements for minors are the same as those for adults.

• Travel Origin & Mode: Eligible foreign nationals can depart for China from any country or region. The visa waiver applies to travelers coming to China through any sea, road, and air port open to foreign nationals. It applies to both tour groups and individuals.

Policy Background

This visa-free policy is a strategic measure by China to expand its opening up and promote international exchanges. In 2024, the policy was significantly expanded to include 9 new countries, and the permitted period of stay was extended from 15 days to 30 days, further enhancing its appeal for international visitors, including medical tourists.

Your Medical Journey Starts Here

With China's 30-day visa-free policy, the path to accessing affordable and high-quality medical care in China has never been clearer. MedBridgeNZ is here to help you navigate your medical travel needs, connecting you with the best healthcare providers in China. If your intended stay exceeds 30 days for medical reasons, our team can guide you on the necessary steps for applying for a longer-term medical visa (such as an S1 or S2 visa) or a stay permit.