Visa planning for a maternity trip is part bureaucracy, part logistics, part arithmetic about due dates. Here is how our team works through it.
Which visa do you need?
Most international patients enter China with a tourist (L) visa or business (M) visa for short stays (delivery only, or a short prenatal window). For longer programs — a full pregnancy pathway or a 28 to 42 day confinement stay — we provide the invitation letter and supporting medical documents required for a medical visa.
When to apply
Apply at least 6–8 weeks before travel. Chinese embassies and consulates vary by country in processing time; some take longer, some offer express services. Our team confirms the current expected processing time for your nationality when you enquire.
Documents you will need
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond entry
- Visa application form and recent passport photos
- Proof of accommodation (hotel or hospital booking)
- Round-trip or onward flight ticket
- Medical invitation letter from the partner hospital (we provide this)
- Proof of pregnancy (ultrasound report or prenatal notes)
- Travel insurance covering maternity and newborn
When to fly
The safest window for a long-haul flight in pregnancy is generally 14 to 28 weeks — after the first-trimester risk of miscarriage drops, and before the third-trimester fatigue and risk of preterm labour. Most airlines require a fit-to-fly letter after 28 weeks; we provide one based on your prenatal notes.
Due-date arithmetic
Work backwards from your due date. Plan to arrive by week 32–34 at the latest for a delivery-only stay, and earlier for a full pathway or a confinement stay. If you arrive too close to the due date and visa or flight delays happen, you can find yourself in trouble.
What about the baby?
Your baby will need a travel document to fly home with you. Most countries allow passport applications for newborns within the first weeks of life; our partner hospitals assist with the documentation and newborn photos required. Plan an additional 2–4 weeks after birth for newborn paperwork before flying home.