日本人は中国の医療観光にビザが必要ですか？ / Do Japanese citizens need a visa for medical treatment in China?

Yes. Japanese citizens require an M-visa (医療ビザ). Apply at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo or Consulates in Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya, Niigata, or Fukuoka. Standard processing 4 business days. Notably fingerprinting is NOT required for Japanese citizens.

ビザの費用はいくらですか？

Single-entry visa ¥3,000; double-entry ¥4,500; multi-entry valid 6 months ¥6,000; multi-entry valid 12+ months ¥9,000. Plus visa center service fee approximately ¥4,000. Total typical cost ¥7,000–¥13,000.

フライト時間は？

Tokyo (HND/NRT) to Shanghai (PVG): 3 hours. Tokyo to Beijing (PEK): 3.5 hours. Multiple daily direct flights from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka. The short flight makes Shanghai practical for shorter consultation trips and same-week follow-ups.

Will my doctors speak Japanese?

Yes — at top centres serving Japanese patients. PUMC International, Ruijin VIP, Zhongshan International, Shanghai United Family, and HKU-Shenzhen all employ Japanese-speaking patient coordinators. Panda Touring Care provides additional Japanese interpreter coverage at consultations.

Can I combine treatment with travel in China?

Yes — many Japanese patients combine treatment with sightseeing in Beijing (Forbidden City, Great Wall) or Shanghai. The Bund / Pudong skyline is 30 minutes from Ruijin Hospital. Allow extra days post-procedure for recovery before flight clearance.

🇯🇵 M-Visa · Japan

China medical visa for
Japan citizens.

Documents, fees, processing times, embassy locations and the step-by-step process. Updated 2026 with current Chinese consular requirements for Japan applicants.

Get an invitation letter All visa countries

4 business days standard

Processing time

4 business days standard

¥3,000–¥6,000 (single/multi entry)

Visa fee

Plus visa center service fee

Up to 5 years multi-entry possible

Validity

Single, double or multi-entry · 30–90 days

Not required

Fingerprinting

Walk-in submission accepted

3–4 hours direct

Flight time

3–4 hours direct (HND/NRT–PEK/PVG)

1 hour ahead

Timezone offset

1 hour ahead (Tokyo → Beijing)

The basics

What Japan patients
need to know.

Visa type: M-Visa (医療ビザ) — fingerprinting NOT required

Where to apply: Japanese citizens apply at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo or one of 6 Consulates

Notable: Short flight times and 1-hour timezone offset make Japan one of the easiest Asian source countries. Fingerprinting NOT required for Japanese citizens.

Recommended Chinese cities: Shanghai (cardiology, oncology, integrative care) is most popular among Japanese patients due to direct flights from major Japanese airports and strong Japanese-language services. Beijing (PUMC) for complex / academic cases.

Common treatments: Japanese patients commonly come for: stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiac surgery, orthopedic procedures (cost advantage), and TCM integrative oncology. Many cross-shop with Korean and Singaporean centres.

Required documents

What to bring.

Doc 1

パスポート (passport, 6+ months validity, 2 blank pages)

Doc 2

Completed visa application form V.2013

Doc 3

33×48mm colour photo

Doc 4

Hospital invitation letter — Panda Touring Care

Doc 5

Appointment confirmation

Doc 6

Medical records / diagnosis

Application process

4 steps from invitation
to passport pickup.

Step 1

Receive invitation letter

Panda Touring Care issues hospital invitation letter in Japanese and Chinese within 3–5 business days.

Step 2

Complete COVA online

Fill at cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn (Japanese interface). Print and sign.

Step 3

Submit at CVASC

Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya, Niigata, or Fukuoka visa centre. No biometrics required.

Step 4

Collect visa

Standard 4 business days. Express 2–3 days.

Where to apply