Information for International Patients

Everything you need to know — from visa requirements and travel planning to costs, accommodation, and what to expect during your medical journey in China.

Visa & Entry to China

China has significantly relaxed its visa policies. Most Western travelers can now enter visa-free.

🛂 30-Day Visa-Free Entry

Eligible countries (38+): UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and more.

Duration: Up to 30 days per entry

Purpose: Tourism, business, family visits — including medical treatment

✅ No application needed. Just book your flight and go.

🔄 240-Hour Transit Without Visa

Eligible: Citizens of 55 countries including US, Canada, all EU nations, UK, Australia

Duration: Up to 10 days (240 hours)

Requirements: Must have onward ticket to a third country. Can stay in designated regions.

Ideal for short dental procedures or initial consultations.

📋 Medical Visa (M-Visa)

For longer stays or citizens of countries not covered by visa-free policies.

We assist with:

  • Invitation letter from partner hospital
  • Medical records translation
  • Visa application guidance
  • Expedited processing options

Travel & Arrival

✈️ Flights

Direct flights to Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN), Shenzhen (SZX), and Chengdu (CTU) from most major US and European cities.

Flight time: West Coast US: 12–13 hrs | East Coast: 14–15 hrs | London: 10–11 hrs | Frankfurt: 9–10 hrs

🚗 Airport Pickup

Your MedChinaPass coordinator will meet you at the airport with a sign. Private vehicle transfer to your hotel or hospital — included in all packages.

Available 24/7 — even for late-night arrivals.

📱 Staying Connected

SIM card: We can pre-arrange a Chinese SIM with data for your stay

eSIM: Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad offer China eSIM plans

WiFi: All partner hospitals and hotels have free high-speed WiFi

VPN: Install before departure to access Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.

Costs & Payment

💰 What's Included

All MedChinaPass packages include:

  • Pre-arrival medical consultation and case review
  • Treatment / surgery costs (surgeon, anesthesiologist, operating room)
  • Hospital stay (private room)
  • Medications during hospitalization
  • Post-operative care and physiotherapy
  • English-speaking coordinator throughout your stay

💳 Payment Methods

  • Bank wire transfer (most common)
  • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard — 2–3% fee may apply)
  • Alipay / WeChat Pay (if you have the app set up)
  • Cash (for smaller incidental expenses)

Payment schedule: Typically 30–50% deposit to confirm, balance on arrival.

📊 Sample All-Inclusive Budget

Knee Replacement Surgery $11,000
Round-Trip Flight (US–China) $1,200
Hotel (14 nights) $1,400
Meals & Incidentals (14 days) $700
Total Estimated Cost $14,300

Compare: Same procedure in US: $35,000–$70,000 (without travel costs)

Accommodation Options

🏨 Partner Hotels

We partner with 4–5 star international hotels near each hospital. Special medical tourism rates available.

  • Marriott, Hilton, InterContinental, and local luxury brands
  • Medical-friendly rooms (accessible bathrooms, nurse call buttons)
  • In-room dining with post-surgery dietary options
  • Typically $80–$150/night

🏠 Serviced Apartments

For longer stays (2+ weeks), serviced apartments offer more space and a kitchen.

  • 1–2 bedroom apartments with full kitchen
  • Weekly housekeeping included
  • Typically $60–$120/night
  • Ideal for patients with companions

🌿 Wellness Recovery Resorts

For patients who want to combine recovery with wellness, we offer resort stays near scenic locations.

  • Hot spring resorts in the mountains
  • TCM wellness centers with daily therapies
  • Peaceful gardens, tai chi sessions, meditation
  • Typically $150–$300/night (all-inclusive)

For Family & Companions

👨‍👩‍👧 Bringing a Companion

We strongly encourage bringing a family member or friend. They provide emotional support and can help during recovery.

  • Same visa policy applies to companions
  • We can book adjacent or connecting hotel rooms
  • Hospital rooms can accommodate one overnight companion

🎯 What Companions Can Do

While you're in treatment or recovering, your companion can enjoy:

  • Guided city tours (we can arrange)
  • Shopping, dining, cultural experiences
  • Spa and wellness treatments
  • Day trips to nearby attractions

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Our partner hospitals are JCI-accredited (the same international standard as top US hospitals), use imported medical devices and implants from the same manufacturers (Zimmer, Stryker, Medtronic, etc.), and employ surgeons who have trained at leading Western institutions. Infection rates and clinical outcomes are comparable to — and in some metrics better than — Western benchmarks.

Yes. All partner hospitals have international patient departments with English-speaking staff. Your dedicated MedChinaPass coordinator is bilingual and will be with you at every appointment. Medical records, consent forms, and discharge instructions are provided in English.

Our partner hospitals are selected based on: JCI accreditation status, surgeon credentials and training background, published clinical outcomes data, patient satisfaction scores, and international patient experience. We can provide specific data for your procedure upon request. Many of our surgeons perform 5–10x more procedures annually than their Western counterparts — and surgical volume is a strong predictor of good outcomes.

We provide a comprehensive discharge package including detailed care instructions in English, imaging and lab results on CD/USB, and a written summary for your home physician. We arrange 2–3 telemedicine follow-up consultations with your Chinese surgeon at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months post-procedure. We also coordinate with your local physician to ensure continuity of care.

Most US and European insurance plans do not cover elective procedures performed abroad. However, some plans with out-of-network benefits may reimburse a portion. We provide detailed invoices and medical documentation in English that you can submit to your insurer. Additionally, some employers and self-funded plans are increasingly open to medical tourism due to the dramatic cost savings — we can help you explore this option.

It depends on the procedure. Typical stays: Dental implants (single): 5–7 days | Full mouth restoration: 10–14 days | Knee/Hip replacement: 14–21 days | Heart bypass: 14–21 days | Health check-up: 2–3 days | IVF: 2–3 weeks. Your coordinator will provide a detailed timeline during the planning phase.

Complication rates at our partner hospitals are very low — comparable to top Western institutions. In the rare event of a complication, you are already in a fully equipped hospital with the treating surgeon available. Our packages include coverage for in-hospital complication management. We also offer optional medical complication insurance for additional peace of mind.

China is one of the safest countries in the world for travelers. Violent crime against foreigners is extremely rare. Cities are well-lit, public transport is safe at any hour, and there is a strong police presence. Many of our patients comment that they felt safer walking around Chinese cities at night than in their home cities. Solo female travelers are especially safe.

Still Have Questions?

Our patient coordinators are happy to answer any questions you may have. No obligation — just honest answers.

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