Medical visa for India
A medical visa lets you travel to India for treatment. The key that unlocks it is a letter from the treating hospital, and once a hospital has accepted your case, that letter is issued for you. Someone travelling with you can usually apply for a medical attendant visa at the same time. We help you prepare the paperwork and tell you what your embassy will ask for.
- Visa type
- Medical visa, for the patient. Medical attendant visa for those travelling with you
- The essential document
- An invitation or appointment letter from the treating Indian hospital
- Attendants
- Usually up to two family members can accompany the patient
- Where you apply
- The Indian embassy, high commission or the official e-visa portal for your country
- What we help with
- The hospital letter, the document list, and getting the paperwork right
- Rules vary
- Requirements and fees differ by country. Always confirm with your own embassy
What a medical visa is
India issues a specific medical visa for people coming for treatment. It is separate from a tourist visa, and you should not travel for treatment on a tourist visa: hospitals and immigration expect the medical category, and using the wrong one causes problems on arrival. The medical visa is tied to your treatment and to the hospital that invited you.
Documents you will usually need
Exact requirements depend on your country, but almost every embassy asks for a version of:
- A passport valid for at least six months, with blank pages
- The invitation or appointment letter from the treating Indian hospital
- Your medical reports showing the condition and the need for treatment
- Passport-size photographs to the embassy's specification
- Proof of funds or of who is paying for the treatment
- Proof of your relationship to any attendant travelling with you
This list is a guide, not a guarantee. The single most reliable step you can take is to confirm the current requirements directly with the Indian embassy or high commission for your own country before you apply, because the rules and fees change and differ from place to place.
The medical attendant visa
Very few people want to travel abroad for treatment alone, and India recognises this. The medical attendant visa lets family members accompany the patient, usually up to two people. They apply alongside your medical visa and their application is linked to yours, so it helps to prepare them together. This matters most for older patients, for anyone who will need help during recovery, and for parents travelling with a child.
How the process works with us
- A specialist reviews your case in a free teleconsultation and, if treatment is appropriate, the hospital accepts you.
- The hospital issues your invitation letter, the document that supports the medical visa.
- We give you the document checklist for your specific country and help you get each item right.
- You apply at the embassy, high commission or e-visa portal, for yourself and for any attendant.
- You travel, and we help with arrival, so that landing in a new country for treatment is not something you face alone.
How long you can stay
A medical visa is granted for the period your treatment reasonably requires, and it can often be extended if your treatment or recovery needs longer. The exact duration and the number of entries allowed depend on your nationality and on what the embassy grants, which is another reason to confirm the specifics for your country rather than rely on a general figure.
Questions patients ask
How do I get a medical visa for India from my country?
The process is broadly the same everywhere: a hospital in India accepts your case and issues an invitation letter, and you apply for the medical visa at the Indian embassy, high commission or e-visa portal for your country, using that letter and your medical reports. The details and fees differ by country, so confirm them with your own embassy. We provide the hospital letter and a checklist tailored to where you are.
Can my family travel with me?
Yes. The medical attendant visa allows family members, usually up to two, to accompany the patient. Their applications are linked to yours, so it is best to prepare them at the same time.
What documents do I need?
Typically a passport valid for at least six months, the hospital's invitation letter, your medical reports, photographs, and proof of funds. Your embassy sets the exact list, and we help you assemble it correctly.
Can I use a tourist visa instead?
You should not. Treatment is expected to be done on a medical visa, and travelling for care on a tourist visa can cause difficulties with hospitals and at immigration. The medical visa is the correct and straightforward route.
How long does it take to get?
Processing time depends on your country and the season, so plan ahead rather than leaving it to the last moment. Once the hospital has accepted your case and issued its letter, the paperwork can usually move quickly if it is prepared correctly the first time, which is where we help.
Is there an e-medical visa?
India offers an electronic medical visa for many nationalities, applied for online. Whether it is available to you, and whether it suits your case, depends on your country and your treatment. We will tell you which route is right for you.