Everything international patients need to know about applying for the S1/S2 medical visa to China — required documents, processing times, and common pitfalls to avoid.
The Two Medical Visas
China offers two specific visa categories for medical purposes:
- S2 (short-term, under 180 days) — Most common for surgery, IVF cycles, screening. Single or multiple-entry options.
- S1 (long-term, over 180 days) — For extended treatment programs.
Required Documents
- Original hospital invitation letter (we provide)
- Medical records translated to English or Chinese
- Passport with 6+ months validity
- Recent passport photos
- Proof of funds
- Round-trip travel itinerary
- Visa application form (completed online via COVA)
Timeline
Standard processing: 4 working days. Expedited service available in most countries (24–48 hours). We recommend applying at least 3 weeks before your treatment date.
How We Help
SSAnkang provides the hospital invitation letter, medical record translation, country-specific application checklist, and pre-submission review.