Introduction
For employees of Chinese enterprises in North America (the US, Canada and Mexico), returning to China is not only for family visits, but also a necessary demand for physical check-ups, medical treatment and traditional Chinese medicine conditioning.
Since the expansion of China’s visa exemption policy in 2024, short-term medical tourism has not been fully included in the visa-free scope. Applying for an S2 Visa (Short-term Private Affairs) is still the most reliable option. Based on the latest 2026 policies, this guide will walk you through the entire visa application process step by step.
01 Which Visa Should I Apply for?
If your stay in China is no more than 180 days, and the purpose is physical examination, medical treatment, acupuncture, massage or medical aesthetics, please apply for the S2 Visa for short-term private affairs entry.
Special Reminder: Canadian passport holders are entitled to 30-day visa-free entry for business, tourism and family visits until the end of 2026. However, if the treatment period is likely to exceed 30 days or involves official medical records, you must apply for the S2 Visa in advance to avoid the risk of overstay.
02 Four-step Application Process (Latest 2026 Version)
The online China Visa Application System has been launched in the US and Canada. There is no need to book submission appointments, which greatly facilitates applications.
Step 1 Fill in the application form onlineRegister an account at https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/. Select the consular district corresponding to your residence such as Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver and Toronto (e.g. choose Los Angeles for states in the southwestern US). When filling out the form, make sure to check Private Affairs (S2) as the visiting purpose, and write Medical Treatment / Traditional Chinese Medicine in the remarks. Step 2 Prepare documents (Core requirement)In addition to a passport valid for more than 6 months and passport photos, you need to prepare the following documents:- Invitation letter from a Chinese medical institution: The core document issued by formal domestic hospitals, physical examination centers or TCM clinics. It must include your personal information, specific medical or check-up items, estimated stay duration and expense liability statement. An official stamp is recommended.
- Kinship certificate (if applicable): If your relatives in China help make hospital appointments, it is recommended to attach a kinship certificate such as a copy of birth notarization.
- Financial proof: It is advised to provide the latest 3-month bank statement to prove you can cover medical and living expenses.
03 Two Key Points to Avoid Mistakes
- Statement of medical purpose: When filling in the form or attending an interview, state clearly that it is self-funded, short-term treatment for non-infectious diseases. This is regarded as a low-risk and high-consumption legitimate application by visa officers.
- Consular district division: Confirm which embassy or consulate has jurisdiction over your state or province. For example, the US eastern region is under the jurisdiction of the New York Consulate, while the southern US belongs to Los Angeles. A wrong district selection will lead to direct application rejection by the system.
04 Closing Remarks
A small visa connects not only medical resources, but also the company’s care for employees’ health.
For policy inquiries, please refer to the official websites of Chinese embassies and consulates in the US, Canada and Mexico. Do not trust unauthorized agencies’ promises of guaranteed visa approval.
Wish you a smooth trip, speedy recovery and a healthy return!
Note: The information in this article is current as of April 2026. Policies are subject to dynamic adjustments; please follow the real-time official requirements during reservation and application.
