Health Check for a China Work Visa in Shanghai: What Foreigners Need to Know (2026)

The most important thing to know first

The medical examination required for a China work permit (工作许可) and residence permit (居留许可) can ONLY be done at a government-designated International Travel Healthcare Center (国际旅行卫生保健中心). In Shanghai that is the Shanghai International Travel Healthcare Center (上海国际旅行卫生保健中心).

Regular hospitals — including the private international hospitals listed on this site — CANNOT issue the official visa medical certificate. If your goal is a visa or residence permit, go to the designated center. If your goal is a personal or executive health screening, the hospitals on Shanghai HealthFinder are the right choice.

Where to go in Shanghai

Shanghai International Travel Healthcare Center (上海国际旅行卫生保健中心), the designated facility for entry-exit medical examinations. Book an appointment in advance through their official channel (their WeChat official account or website) — walk-ins are limited and morning slots fill quickly.

What to bring

Bring the following — missing documents are the most common reason people get turned away:

• Passport (original) — your identity document for the exam
• Passport-style photos (check the current requirement when booking; usually 2–4)
• Any medical forms provided by your employer or visa agency
• Vaccination records if you have them (not always required, but useful)
• Payment: the exam fee is typically a few hundred RMB; mobile payment (Alipay/WeChat Pay) is standard

What the exam covers

The visa medical exam is a standardized public-health screening, not a personalized checkup. It typically includes:

• Physical examination (height, weight, blood pressure, vision)
• Chest X-ray (tuberculosis screening)
• Blood tests (including infectious disease screening such as HIV and syphilis)
• ECG and abdominal ultrasound

Timing and results

Plan for 2–3 hours on site, fasting from the previous evening. The official certificate (健康检查证明 / Health Certificate) is usually ready in 3–5 working days; some centers offer express processing. Your employer or visa agent submits this certificate as part of the work permit and residence permit application.

Tip: do the medical early in your visa timeline — the certificate has a validity window (commonly 6 months), and delays here block the whole permit chain.

Need a personal checkup instead?

If you are not doing this for a visa but want a real health screening while in Shanghai — from a ¥2,000 basic annual check to a ¥40,000 premium executive package — compare hospitals and packages on Shanghai HealthFinder. Our English-speaking medical escort service can also guide you through the visit.

Frequently asked questions