Planning IVF in Shanghai as an international patient
Check licensing, foreign-couple documents, marriage-proof legalization, and the full self-pay cost with each licensed Shanghai facility before arranging treatment.
Information recorded Aug 15, 2026 · Planning information, not medical advice
Short answer
The national ART rules recorded in our August 2026 research describe passports and marriage proof for married foreign couples at licensed institutions. The NHC list dated 30 June 2025 includes several Shanghai ART programs. Confirm each facility's current license scope, eligibility, foreign-document standards, cycle timing, and full self-pay cost before arranging travel; the information below is a planning reference, not a confirmed booking route.
Who this is for: International married couples researching licensed IVF options in Shanghai before arranging travel and time off for a treatment cycle.
Eligibility, costs, and preparation
- Foreign couple documents
National ART rules state that foreign-related married couples and foreign nationals must present passports and marriage proof, with copies retained by the facility, and treatment must take place at a licensed medical institution.
Confirmed in an official source
- Who is not eligible
Single women are not permitted to receive ART in mainland China, and surrogacy and gamete trade are prohibited. Donor sperm comes only from approved sperm banks, whose donors are Chinese citizens.
Confirmed in an official source
- Licensed Shanghai options
The NHC licensed-facility list includes Jiahui International Hospital (AIH, IVF-ET, ICSI), Ruijin Hospital and Renji Hospital (full programs including PGD and donor sperm, with Renji also running the Shanghai sperm bank), and the JiAi Genetic and Infertility Center (full program including PGD).
Confirmed in an official source
- Cost anchor
State media report average IVF costs of roughly CNY 30,000-50,000 per cycle at public hospitals, with preimplantation genetic testing adding more, and IUI at several thousand CNY per attempt. Foreign self-pay and private-route pricing needs direct quotes.
Needs confirmation
- Marriage proof legalization
No official source states whether foreign marriage certificates need translation, notarization, consular legalization, or an apostille. Each facility may apply its own standard, so ask before booking.
Needs confirmation
- Insurance note
Beijing and Shanghai have added some ART items to local basic medical insurance, but foreign visitors usually pay self-pay or use international commercial insurance. Confirm coverage with the facility and the insurer.
Needs confirmation
Hospital-specific information
These facts document this route. They do not recommend a hospital, compare it with other hospitals, or guarantee availability.
Private international hospital with in-house licensed IVF (no PGD license item)
Jiahui International Hospital上海嘉会国际医院
The NHC licensed-facility list includes AIH, IVF-ET, and ICSI for Jiahui International Hospital. The list does not include PGD, so couples who need genetic testing should ask about referral to a licensed provider.
- Jiahui IVF scope
Jiahui's reproductive medicine center treats couples in its own licensed facility, with formal operation of AIH, IVF-ET, and ICSI approved in January 2022. The NHC list does not include PGD for Jiahui.
Confirmed in an official source
Public 3A hospital with a full ART license including PGD
Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine上海交通大学医学院附属瑞金医院
Runs one of the earliest licensed reproductive medicine centers in Shanghai. Its published filing flow describes the domestic ID process; foreign couples should confirm the passport route directly.
- Filing process example
Ruijin's published flow requires both spouses to attend filing in person with ID documents and the original marriage certificate plus copies, signing consents together. The page describes the domestic ID process; foreign couples substitute passports and marriage proof under national rules.
Reported by hospital
Public 3A hospital with a full ART license and the Shanghai sperm bank
Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine上海交通大学医学院附属仁济医院
Reproductive services are delivered at the Pudong north campus. The hospital's international outpatient clinic lists the Reproductive Medicine Center among the covered departments.
Specialized licensed fertility center including PGD
Shanghai JiAi Genetic and Infertility Center上海集爱遗传与不育诊疗中心
Founded in 1997 with a Fudan University obstetrics and gynecology hospital background. No published international-patient page or English site was found, so foreign-patient support needs direct confirmation.
Questions to confirm before booking
- 1
Does the facility require our foreign marriage certificate to be translated, notarized, consularly legalized, or apostilled?
No national rule is published, and facilities may apply different standards.
- 2
Do both spouses need to be physically present for filing and consent, and at which visits?
Ruijin's published flow requires both spouses at filing; the foreign-couple process needs confirmation.
- 3
Is a specific visa or residence-permit type required for treatment?
No official source states visa requirements for ART patients.
- 4
Which NHC license items does the facility hold, and where will egg retrieval and embryo transfer be performed?
License scope differs by facility; for example, Jiahui's list does not include PGD.
- 5
What is the full self-pay cost per cycle, including medications, lab work, and follow-up?
Public figures are domestic averages; foreign self-pay pricing needs a quote.
- 6
Is a Chinese phone number required for registration or follow-up communication?
Registration systems may require one, but this is not officially documented.