Paperwork
What documents to prepare for treatment in China
A practical checklist of the documents a foreign patient should bring to a Chinese hospital — from passport to imaging files — and why each one matters.
Why documents matter before you arrive
Chinese hospitals — including those with international departments — conduct all clinical work in Chinese. The doctors reviewing your case need to understand your full medical background quickly and accurately. Bringing a well-organised set of documents in advance reduces delays, prevents unnecessary repeat tests, and helps the medical team make safe decisions about your care.
The list below covers the documents most commonly requested. Check with your specific hospital before travelling, because requirements vary between institutions and between departments within the same hospital.
Passport and visa
Your passport is required for registration at any Chinese hospital. Bring the original — a photocopy alone is usually not accepted for initial registration. Your visa or residence permit will also be recorded. Keep both on you throughout your stay, especially if you are admitted as an inpatient.
If your treatment is planned in advance, confirm with the hospital whether any additional entry documentation is required for your specific situation before you apply for your visa.
Referral letter or clinical summary from your current doctor
A letter from your treating physician at home — summarising your diagnosis, the treatments you have already received, and the reason for seeking further care — is one of the most useful documents you can carry. It gives the Chinese specialist context immediately and is often required before a consultation can be scheduled at a specialist clinic.
Ask your doctor to write it in plain English (or have it written in Chinese if possible) and to include their name, qualifications, and contact details. If the letter is in a language other than English or Chinese, consider having it translated before you travel.
Medical history and prior records
Bring a concise written summary of your medical history: significant past illnesses, hospitalisations, and any chronic conditions. If you have discharge summaries from previous hospital stays, include those too. Organise records in chronological order and label digital files clearly (for example: 2025-03-chest-CT.pdf) so that hospital staff can find what they need without delay.
Not every historical record needs to be translated. Prioritise the documents most directly relevant to the condition you are seeking treatment for. If you are unsure which records matter most, your referring doctor can advise.
Test results, lab reports, and pathology
Bring recent blood tests, urine analyses, and any other laboratory results. Include the reference ranges printed on the original report — Chinese labs may use different units or ranges, and having your home lab's reference values avoids ambiguity.
Pathology reports (for example, biopsy results) are particularly important for cancer-related consultations. Bring the written report and, if possible, the original slides or a copy on a suitable medium — the hospital may wish to review the material directly rather than relying solely on a previous institution's interpretation.
Imaging: both the images and the report
For X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, and ultrasounds, bring both the images and the written radiology report. Chinese radiologists and surgeons typically want to view the original images themselves rather than relying on another institution's interpretation. Digital files in DICOM format on a USB drive or CD are preferred over printed films, though check with your hospital in advance about their preferred format.
If your imaging was done years ago, ask your home hospital whether current-generation imaging would be more useful — some hospitals in China may want up-to-date scans before they can proceed.
Current medication list
Write out every medication you are currently taking, including the generic (INN) name, not just the brand name. Brand names differ between countries; the generic name is internationally recognised and reduces the risk of confusion or duplication. Include the dose, how often you take it, and why you take it.
Also list any vitamins, supplements, or herbal preparations — these can interact with hospital medications and are relevant to the anaesthetist if you are having a procedure.
Allergy information
Write your known allergies clearly, including the name of the substance (again, use the generic drug name where applicable) and the type of reaction you have had. This information is critical for patient safety and will be recorded on admission. If you have had a severe or anaphylactic reaction, note that explicitly.
Surgical and procedure records
If you have had previous operations or significant procedures, bring the operative reports. Surgeons need to know what was done, what implants or devices were placed, and what complications, if any, occurred. This is especially important for orthopaedic, cardiac, and oncology consultations.
Insurance and financial documents
If you have international health insurance, bring your policy documents, insurance card, and the insurer's pre-authorisation letter if one is required. Confirm with your insurer before travelling whether your Chinese hospital is on their network and what the claims process involves. Many Chinese hospitals ask for a deposit on admission regardless of insurance status — check with the hospital what amount to expect.
Keep copies of all financial receipts from registration onwards, as these will be needed for any reimbursement claim.
Frequently asked questions
Do all my documents need to be translated into Chinese before I arrive?
Not necessarily all of them. Documents most likely to require translation are your clinical summary, medication list, and key test results. Requirements vary by hospital and by department. Check with the specific hospital before you travel. A professional medical translation service can advise on which documents are most critical and translate them accurately. Contact us if you need help preparing translated medical documents for a Chinese hospital.
Can I bring digital copies of my documents instead of paper?
Many hospitals accept high-quality PDF scans on a USB drive or via email for pre-consultation review. However, some administrative processes — particularly registration and insurance — may require originals or certified copies. Bring both digital and paper versions where possible, and confirm the hospital's preference in advance.
What if some of my records are handwritten?
Handwritten notes are harder to read and to translate accurately. If possible, ask your home doctor to provide a typed summary. If records must be handwritten, a translator working on them will need extra time and may need to flag uncertain passages.
How far in advance should I organise my documents?
Ideally four to six weeks before your appointment. This allows time to request records from your home hospital (which can take two weeks or more), have them translated if needed, and send them to the Chinese hospital for pre-consultation review. Rushing this step is one of the most common causes of delays.
Will the Chinese hospital keep my original documents?
Hospitals may make copies of originals for their records. It is sensible to keep at least one full set of copies yourself and to store digital backups securely before you travel.