Medical Visa for India: Everything International Patients Need to Know

Travelling to another country for medical treatment involves more than choosing a hospital and booking a flight. International patients also need to understand the visa requirements, supporting documents, application process, and rules governing their stay. India recorded 1,31,856 Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) for medical purposes from January to April 2025, accounting for approximately 4.1% of total FTAs during this period. As international patients travel to India for a range of treatments, securing the right visa is an important part of preparing for medical care. As medical travel is an important sector, the Government of India facilitates medical visa applications. Processing times typically range from 3 to 5 working days, subject to the applicant’s circumstances and visa requirements.

Let’s understand the Indian medical visa process, eligibility, required documents, visa validity, attendant requirements, and visa extension details.

An Indian medical visa is intended for foreign nationals travelling to India specifically to receive medical treatment, making it different from a tourist visa, which is meant for tourism or visiting friends and family. India offers an e-Medical visa to nationals of eligible countries and a regular medical visa through the relevant Indian Mission or Post for applicants who cannot use the e-Visa facility or need to follow the regular visa route.

India also offers an e-Medical Attendant visa for eligible individuals accompanying patients, with a maximum of two attendants permitted per e-Medical visa. Each attendant must submit a separate application and provide the required supporting documents.

The official e-Visa portal lists medical treatment, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine, as an eligible purpose. Applicants must provide a letter from the Indian hospital on its official letterhead confirming the proposed admission or treatment date. Passports must meet the applicable validity requirements, including at least six months' validity for e-Visa applicants.

Patients requiring a longer stay should check their visa conditions and whether registration through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) is required. Visa extension and registration are separate matters, and the applicable requirements should be confirmed with the relevant immigration authority or the hospital's international patient office.

Eligibility depends on the applicant's nationality, purpose of travel, and the type of visa being requested.

The official e-Visa portal currently lists 175 countries/territories as eligible for e-Visa services, although the list can change. Applicants should confirm their nationality's eligibility on the official portal rather than relying on an older list.

Generally, the applicant must:

• Be travelling to India for medical treatment. 

• Have a valid passport meeting the applicable validity requirements. 

• Obtain supporting documentation from the Indian hospital or treatment centre. 

• Meet the specific e-Visa or regular visa conditions applicable to their nationality. 

• Have sufficient funds for their stay and a return or onward ticket where required. 

The official e-visa rules state that the passport should have at least six months' validity at the time of application and at least two blank pages for immigration stamping.

Applicants must provide supporting documents as part of their medical visa application. For an e-medical visa, this includes a letter from the Indian hospital on its letterhead stating the proposed or tentative admission date. Children travelling for treatment require their own passport and separate visa application and may also need documents such as a birth certificate, proof of relationship, and parental consent where applicable. Attendants travelling with patients require a separate medical attendant visa. The Government of India currently permits up to two e-Medical attendant visas for each e-medical visa, subject to applicable requirements.

Document	What to check
Valid passport	At least six months' validity and two blank pages, as applicable
Recent photograph	Must meet the official photograph specifications
Indian hospital letter	Proposed treatment and tentative admission date. It should include the patient's name, nationality, and passport number.
Medical records	Relevant reports, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations
Proof of funds	Evidence of sufficient funds may be required
Return/onward ticket	Required under applicable e-Visa conditions
Minor's documents	Birth certificate and parental/guardian documents where applicable
Attendant documents	Passport and supporting documents where applicable
Vaccination certificate	Yellow fever certificate where India's entry requirements apply

Applicants should check the official e-Visa portal or relevant Indian Mission/Post for the latest document, photograph, and file-upload requirements before applying. Attendants must submit separate e-Medical Attendant visa applications. Up to two attendant visas are permitted for each eligible e-Medical visa. Applicants must provide a scanned copy of their passport's bio page and any other documents requested by the official portal.

• Cash declaration: Travellers must declare foreign exchange to Indian Customs if they carry currency notes exceeding USD 5,000 (or equivalent), or total foreign exchange exceeding USD 10,000 (or equivalent), including currency notes, banknotes and traveller's cheques. Declaration requirements apply to each traveller individually. 

• Keep the CDF: If you do not use all the foreign exchange declared on arrival, retain the stamped Currency Declaration Form (CDF). You may need to present it to Customs when leaving India to take the unused balance out of the country. 

• Wire transfers and cards: Major Indian hospitals may require advance deposits or bill payments through international wire transfers (SWIFT) or accepted international credit/debit cards. 

• Hospital support: Most accredited hospitals have an International Patient Services (IPS) or single point of contact (SPOC) desk to provide verified bank details for transfers and guidance on local currency exchange. 

The Indian medical visa process depends on whether the patient is eligible for an e-medical visa or needs to apply through the regular visa route.

Step 1: Confirm eligibility

Check your nationality's eligibility and confirm the application window. Applications can be submitted up to 120 days before arrival and must be made at least 4 days before the intended arrival date.

Step 2: Get the hospital letter

Obtain a letter from the Indian hospital showing the proposed or tentative admission date.

Step 3: Complete the application

Apply through the official Government of India e-visa portal with your personal, passport, travel, and medical details.

Step 4: Upload documents

Upload your passport bio page, photograph, and required hospital or medical documents.

Step 5: Pay the visa fee

Pay the applicable e-Visa fee based on your nationality.

Step 6: Receive the ETA

Check your email for the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and confirm it has been granted.

Step 7: Print the ETA

Print and carry your granted ETA when travelling to India. The e-Visa is processed at immigration on arrival.

Applicants who are not eligible for an e-medical visa, or whose circumstances require the regular visa route, should apply through the relevant Indian Mission/Post or the official regular visa process.

The process generally involves:

1. Checking the applicable visa requirements.
2.  Obtaining the hospital's treatment or invitation documentation.
3. Completing the required visa application.
4. Preparing supporting documents.
5. Submitting the application through the designated channel.
6. Attending an interview or appointment if required.
7. Paying the applicable visa fee.
8. Waiting for the visa to be processed and issued.

Processing times vary depending on the application and the country of origin. Check the latest guidance from the official e-Visa portal or the relevant Indian Mission and allow sufficient time before travelling.

It is also important to understand your visa validity, how long you can stay in India, and what to do if you need to extend your stay.

The e-medical visa is currently valid for 60 days from the date of first arrival in India, with triple entries permitted. The e-Medical attendant visa in India follows the same 60-day validity period.

Regular medical visa validity can differ from the e-medical visa. For most foreign nationals, the initial validity may be up to one year or the treatment period, whichever is shorter. Patients should always check the validity and entry conditions stated on their issued visa, as these can vary by case.

Rules for extending a medical visa depend on the visa category and applicable conditions. Patients who need to stay longer should confirm their eligibility and registration requirements with the relevant FRRO/FRO or their hospital's international patient office. Visa-related services, including registration and extension, are available through the e-FRRO system, subject to applicable rules.

PrymaCare Tourismo is a Government of India-registered medical tourism company that helps international patients, find suitable hospitals for treatment in India. The team coordinates with hospitals and sends treatment plans and quotations on official hospital letterheads, helping patients and their families choose the right option for their needs. Along with end-to-end concierge support, PrymaCare also provides medical visa assistance, including coordinating with the hospital to obtain the required visa documents and guiding patients through the process. This helps patients and their families manage visa-related requirements with less stress while preparing for treatment.

Getting a medical visa is one of the first practical steps when planning treatment in India. Understanding the medical visa for India requirements, documents, application process, validity, and extension rules can help international patients prepare for treatment with fewer delays. Since visa requirements can vary by nationality and individual circumstances, checking the latest official requirements before travelling is essential. PrymaCare Tourismo helps international patients coordinate medical visa requirements, treatment options, and other aspects of their medical journey to India.

Planning medical treatment in India?

Contact PrymaCare Tourismo for personalised assistance with your hospital and medical visa requirements.