The correct sequence
-
Remote review and department agreementWeeks 1–4 typically
Nothing about visas is needed yet. The case is prepared and submitted, and a department confirms whether it can see the patient.
-
Request the invitation letterAllow 1–2 weeks
Once a department agrees, ask the hospital’s international patient office for an invitation letter. Confirm in advance what it will contain and how long it takes to issue.
-
Visa applicationVaries by country and season
Apply at the Chinese embassy or consulate covering your place of residence, with the documents that office requires for your nationality and purpose of visit.
-
Travel only after the visa is in handAfter visa issuance
Do not book non-refundable travel until the visa is issued and the appointment date is confirmed by the hospital.
What a hospital invitation letter can and cannot do
What the letter typically provides
- Confirms the hospital has agreed to see the named patient.
- States the department, the purpose of the visit and the expected dates.
- Carries the hospital’s official seal and contact details an embassy can verify.
- Supports your application as evidence of the purpose of travel.
What the letter does not do
- It does not guarantee a visa — that decision belongs to the visa officer.
- It does not authorise work, study or long-term residence in China.
- It does not cover a companion. Family members usually apply separately and may need their own supporting documents.
- It does not extend your permitted stay beyond whatever the visa grants.
What to ask the hospital for
Five details worth confirming
- An invitation letter on hospital letterhead, addressed to the visa office or “to whom it may concern”.
- The patient’s full name exactly as printed in the passport, plus passport number.
- The department, the treating service and the expected admission or appointment dates.
- A named contact at the hospital’s international patient office with a telephone number the consulate can verify.
- Whether an English or bilingual version is issued by default, and whether a notarised copy is possible.
Companions and carers
One family member usually travels with the patient, and sometimes more. Companion visas are generally applied for separately, and requirements vary. It helps to have the hospital letter mention the accompanying person, and to be able to show the relationship and the funding for the trip.
If a child is travelling as the patient, guardianship documentation is normally required. Ask the hospital’s international office which documents they expect, and confirm the current list with the visa office as well — the two lists are not always identical.
Visa questions
Do I need a visa before asking for a case review?
No. The remote review, records preparation and department inquiry all happen before any visa question arises. A visa is only needed once a hospital has agreed to see the patient in person.
Which visa category should I apply under?
It depends on your nationality, your purpose of travel and the current rules. Many medical visits are handled under an ordinary visitor category; the visa office will tell you which category applies to your situation, and the hospital’s international patient office can confirm what it routinely issues letters for.
Can the hospital arrange the visa for me?
No. The hospital provides a supporting letter; the application is yours to make at the consulate. No hospital or coordination service can issue a visa.
What if my visa is refused?
It happens, and it is worth having a contingency. Ask the hospital whether the appointment can be converted into a remote review, and check your travel booking terms before buying anything non-refundable.
Can I enter visa-free instead?
Some nationalities currently have visa-free entry for short stays, and arrangements change often. Check the current policy for your passport before relying on it — and remember that a short visa-free stay may not cover a treatment plan that requires several weeks.
