Full Guide to China Medical Tourism Visa Under the Background of the 140th Canton Fair

On October 15, 2026, the 140th Canton Fair will officially kick off. The three phases of the exhibition will be held successively from October 15 to 19, October 23 to 27, and October 31 to November 4, building a one-stop trade docking platform for global merchants.

Many overseas merchants who travel a long distance to China for business negotiations during the Canton Fair also hope to arrange medical tourism itineraries such as health check-ups, specialist diagnosis and treatment, and traditional Chinese medicine conditioning at the same time.

To help everyone meet the dual needs of business participation and healthy travel, ‌Dovecure Medical‌, combining the latest official entry policies and professional medical tourism service experience, has sorted out this complete full guide to China medical tourism visas. It covers all applicable entry routes, processing cycles and key points of document preparation, helping you plan your trip to China smoothly.

If you want a hassle-free full-process landing, ‌Dovecure China Medical Escort Service‌ can provide you with one-stop full-process services from medical tourism visa application, airport pickup and drop-off, bilingual medical escort, in-hospital care, medical record translation to health check-ups and traditional Chinese medicine wellness.

1. Overview of All Types of Entry Routes for China Medical Tourism

China has greatly simplified its entry requirements. For medical tourists with different nationalities, lengths of stay and travel arrangements, a multi-level entry option system has been set up, including visa-free entry, 240-hour transit visa-free, and various special visas. You can flexibly choose according to your own participation plan and medical arrangements:

1. 30-Day Visa-Free Entry

Valid until December 31, 2026. Citizens of eligible countries can enter China without a visa for a maximum stay of 30 days. This period fully covers the duration of the Canton Fair, and supports multiple activities including tourism, business meetings, medical consultation, health check-ups, and visiting relatives and friends. It is the most convenient choice for travelers who need to balance business and short-term medical needs during this Canton Fair.

Eligible Countries：

Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Asia-Pacific: Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea

Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia

South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay

Permanent Visa-Free Countries: Belarus, Malaysia, Serbia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates

Entry Preparation Materials‌: A valid passport (valid for at least 6 months), return or onward air ticket, hotel reservation or accommodation proof, and sufficient funds to cover the expenses during the stay. No advance visa application is required.

Special Reminder‌: According to the mutual visa-free agreement reached between the Chinese and Malaysian governments, ordinary passport holders from Malaysia who enter China for business activities or medical purposes and stay for no more than 90 days within 180 days can also apply this visa-free policy. If you are not sure about the compliance of visa-free materials, Dovecure's team can help you check them one by one in advance to avoid unexpected problems at entry.

2. 240-Hour (10-Day) Transit Visa-Free

Applicable to travelers from 55 countries including the United States. When transiting through China to a third country (region), they can enter China visa-free and stay in designated areas for up to 240 hours. It is especially suitable for transit passengers who arrange cross-regional business docking and short-term physical examination projects.

Eligible Countries：

Europe: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United States

Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

Asia and Middle East: Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates

Core Rule Explanation‌:Itinerary Requirements‌: You must hold a connecting ticket to a third country or region. It supports transit itineraries such as "U.S. → Shanghai → Hong Kong, China" and "U.S. → Shanghai → Japan", but does not support closed-loop itineraries that return to the same country, such as "U.S. → Shanghai → U.S.".

Time Calculation‌: The 240-hour period starts from 00:00 the day after entry. For example, if you arrive at the port at 2 PM on Monday, the stay period will be calculated from 00:00 on Tuesday.

Travel and Exit Convenience‌: You can travel between 24 provinces and cities with designated entry ports, with only Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia as restricted areas. You can also exit from different ports in the same region. For example, if you enter via Beijing Capital International Airport, you can choose to exit via Beijing Daxing International Airport.

Covered Ports‌: A total of 60 open ports in China support this policy, including designated entry ports in core cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Nanjing, which fully meet the needs of transit passengers entering China from cities like Guangzhou during the Canton Fair.

If you have doubts about the itinerary planning for transit visa-free, Dovecure can help you sort out the connecting itinerary that complies with the rules to ensure that the transit visa-free application is approved smoothly.

3. L Visa (Tourist Visa)

Applicable to travelers who are not on the visa-free list and plan to make a short-term medical trip to China for less than 30 days. It covers scenarios such as outpatient consultation, health check-ups, minor elective surgery, and follow-up appointment. If your nationality is covered by the 30-day visa-free list, you do not need to apply for this visa additionally.

Processing Cycle‌: The regular processing time after submitting materials is 4-7 working days.

4. S2 Visa (Short-Term Private Affairs Visa)

For travelers who plan to make a medium-term medical trip of 30-180 days, it is suitable for scenarios such as surgical operations, specialist treatment, rehabilitation recuperation, and multiple treatment courses. It is ideal for overseas travelers who reserve sufficient time to complete systematic diagnosis and treatment and post-operative rehabilitation after participating in the Canton Fair.

Core Required Materials‌: In addition to the regular basic application documents, an official appointment confirmation letter issued by the hospital is additionally required.

Processing Cycle‌: It can be processed within 4-7 working days after regular submission.

5. S1 Visa (Long-Term Private Affairs Visa)

For travelers who need to make a complex medical trip of more than 180 days, it covers needs such as intervention for complex medical conditions, treatment of critical illnesses, long-term rehabilitation, and continuous treatment projects. It is suitable for patients who need to stay in China for a long cycle to complete the whole process of diagnosis and treatment.

Core Required Materials‌: In addition to the regular basic documents, a complete treatment plan issued by the hospital and proof of accommodation during the stay in China are required.

Processing Cycle‌: The regular review and approval can be completed within 4-7 working days after submission.

6. F Visa (Visit Visa)

If overseas merchants take entering China for exchanges, visits and inspections as the core purpose, and arrange short-term medical projects at the same time, they can also choose this visa type, which is applicable for a stay of no more than 90 days. In addition to the basic application documents, the required materials additionally include a standard invitation letter issued by a relevant Chinese entity or individual. The invitation letter must include the personal information of the invitee, the purpose and itinerary of the visit to China, the source of expenses, as well as the complete contact information, signature and official seal of the inviting entity or individual.

Many overseas merchants who apply for this type of special visa for the first time are prone to make mistakes in the format of the hospital invitation letter and the details of document submission. Dovecure's visa service team will follow up the preparation and submission guidance of all materials throughout the process, so you don't have to repeatedly check the trivial requirements of consulates in various countries, greatly improving the efficiency of visa processing.

2. General Visa Processing Timeline and Full-Process Material Checklist

To avoid conflicts with the Canton Fair buyer application peak, it is recommended that overseas travelers with medical arrangements start the overall itinerary planning at least 4 weeks in advance, reserving sufficient time for material preparation and visa processing:

More than 3 weeks before the trip‌: Contact a professional medical tourism service team to confirm your treatment plan together, match the participation arrangements of the Canton Fair, and determine the most suitable entry visa route.

2-3 weeks before departure‌: Collect all required application documents, and coordinate the target medical institution to issue an official invitation letter and relevant medical support documents at the same time.

1-2 weeks before departure‌: Submit the visa application to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate, with a regular processing time of 4-7 working days. You can apply for expedited service according to the rules of the local consulate to shorten the approval time.

Final stage before departure‌: Confirm the hospital appointment, the pre-registration arrangement for Canton Fair buyers, finalize the hotel reservation, and organize all travel documents to prepare for entry.

All types of medical-related visa applications require two types of basic materials:

Basic General Documents：

· A passport valid for at least 6 months, with at least 2 blank visa pages reserved

· A fully completed official visa application form

· A standard white-background ID photo with a size of 48x33mm

· Air ticket reservation for round-trip or subsequent itinerary

· Hotel reservation or accommodation proof for the entire stay in China

Medical Special Documents：

· An official invitation letter issued by the hospital, which must clearly state the patient's name and passport information, the scheduled medical service content, the estimated treatment duration, the hospital's contact information, and be affixed with the official seal

· Past medical record summary (if required)

· Clear treatment plan description (mandatory for S1 visa)

If you are also participating in the Canton Fair, you can prepare the invitation letter officially issued by the Canton Fair in advance as supporting documents for the itinerary, to help the visa approval process proceed more smoothly.

3. Full-Link Guarantee of Supporting Services After Landing

Many overseas merchants are most worried about the language barrier and unfamiliar medical process after arriving in China, which will delay the progress of business negotiations and diagnosis and treatment. Dovecure's one-stop full-process service starts the moment you get off the plane:

Exclusive staff will wait at the airport in advance, and arrange a special car for airport pickup and drop-off to the hotel directly, eliminating the trouble of queuing for taxis and being unfamiliar with the route;

Professional bilingual medical escorts will accompany you throughout the consultation, helping you smoothly communicate your diagnosis and treatment needs with doctors, so you don't have to be at a loss facing the unfamiliar medical process;

If you need in-hospital treatment, customized in-hospital care services are available, taking into account the needs of treatment recovery and temporary business docking;

All medical records and diagnosis and treatment reports can be provided with professional and accurate translation services, making it convenient for you to follow up with subsequent return visits after returning home.

You can choose a full health check-up package or customized traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture, moxibustion, wellness conditioning projects according to your own itinerary needs, combining the medical experience with the rest and recovery from fatigue during the Canton Fair.

4. Exclusive Practical Tips for Travel Under the Background of the Canton Fair

Handle in advance to avoid peak periods‌: During this Canton Fair, a large number of overseas buyers will come to China, and the demand for visa processing is concentrated. Coupled with the document preparation cycle for medical itineraries, it is strongly recommended to start all preparation work at least 1 month in advance to avoid process delays near the exhibition period.

Leverage remote certificate handling convenience‌: The pre-registration channel for overseas buyers of this Canton Fair is open all year round. First-time new buyers can complete pre-registration on the official website of the Canton Fair in advance. After arrival, they can directly apply for the buyer's certificate for free at multiple remote certificate handling points such as Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Guangzhou South Railway Station, without additional on-site queuing. The saved time can be directly used to dock pre-booked medical services. Dovecure's medical escorts can also accompany you to handle relevant participation procedures, so you don't have to walk around and queue in the unfamiliar exhibition venue.

Pay attention to the visa-free priority rule‌: If your nationality meets multiple visa-free policies, the rules will be adapted in the order of "bilateral visa-free agreement priority → 30-day visa-free entry → 240-hour transit visa-free". For example, travelers from countries with permanent mutual visa-free agreements such as Malaysia and Singapore can directly enjoy visa-free treatment, with more flexible stay arrangements.

Special regional visa-free benefits‌: If you plan to go to Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan for relevant treatment, you can also superimpose the separate 30-day visa-free policy of Hainan. You only need to enter and exit China through Hainan ports, and you can stay in Hainan for 30 days to carry out medical activities without additional visa application. Travelers in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area can also choose the 144-hour transit visa-free policy, taking into account the medical itinerary in the region and short-distance trips to Hong Kong and Macao.

Reserve space for extension‌: If the treatment duration exceeds the original expectation, you can apply for a visa extension to the local Exit and Entry Administration Bureau of the Public Security Bureau before the current visa expires to ensure the smooth completion of the diagnosis and treatment itinerary. The Dovecure team can also assist you in handling all relevant procedures for visa extension throughout the process, so you don't have to run to the administrative window for repeated communication.

The 140th Canton Fair is not only a business gold digging field for global merchants, but also a new dual-experience window for cross-border services of "participation + health management". With the convenient entry policies related to the Canton Fair, planning your itinerary in advance and matching medical tourism supporting services will free you from the troubles of tedious visa materials, unfamiliar domestic medical processes and poor language communication.

From the moment you land in Guangzhou, ‌Dovecure China Medical Escort Service‌ has already opened up the full-link supporting system: from medical tourism visa application, exclusive airport pickup and drop-off, full-process bilingual medical escort, exclusive in-hospital care, to professional medical record translation, customized health check-ups and characteristic traditional Chinese medicine wellness experience, it covers all medical-related needs in one stop. Let you efficiently complete business negotiations at the Canton Fair, and at the same time calmly solve health problems and complete full-cycle health management. Turn one trip to China into a double successful journey that gains both orders and health.