Medical visa to India
India issues a dedicated Medical Visa for people travelling for treatment. For most nationalities it can be obtained online as an e-Medical Visa, typically valid for 60 days from arrival with triple entry, and extendable through the FRRO if treatment takes longer. Up to two attendants can travel with you on linked Medical Attendant Visas. The single document that unlocks the process is a letter from the Indian hospital treating you.
Which visa do you need?
| Your situation | Visa |
|---|---|
| Travelling for medical treatment | Medical Visa, or e-Medical Visa if your nationality is eligible |
| Travelling with a patient as family | Medical Attendant Visa, linked to the patient's |
| Ayurveda, yoga, panchakarma or wellness | AYUSH Visa, introduced in 2023 |
| Visiting, and you might see a doctor | Tourist visa, but read the warning below |
Do not travel for surgery on a tourist visa
- Indian hospitals record the visa status of international patients, and reporting requirements tightened again in 2026.
- Hospitals have been instructed not to admit patients for planned surgical treatment who are in the country on tourist status.
- People still try it to save time, arrive, are declined admission, and lose both the airfare and the treatment window.
What you need to apply
- A passport valid at least six months beyond your arrival date, with two blank pages
- A letter from the Indian hospital. What it must contain
- Your medical documents: diagnosis, recent reports and scans, and a letter from your doctor at home recommending treatment abroad
- Proof you can pay: bank statements, or a sponsor's letter with their statements
- Return travel, booked or as an itinerary
- A recent photograph to the specification on the application
- Where you will be staying in India
How to apply
If your nationality is eligible for the e-Medical Visa, and roughly 167 countries are, apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Apply at least four days before travel, and realistically two to three weeks ahead. Upload the hospital letter, pay online, and the approval arrives by email. Print it. You will be asked for it at the airport.
If your nationality is not eligible, apply in person at the Indian embassy, high commission or visa application centre in your country.
How long is it valid, and how long does it take?
Typically 60 days from arrival, with triple entry, so you can leave and return twice inside that period. It is generally extendable to about six months in total through the FRRO on the treating hospital's recommendation. Validity is set case by case, so read what is printed on your own approval rather than assuming.
| Route | Typical processing |
|---|---|
| e-Medical Visa | 3 to 7 working days. Apply 2 to 3 weeks ahead |
| Embassy or visa centre | 7 to 15 working days, varying widely by country |
| Bangladesh, via IVAC | Unpredictable since 2024. Start as early as you can |
The government fee depends on your nationality, normally between USD 60 and 100, and nothing for Bangladeshi applicants. There is no fee payable to us for visa documentation. It is part of what we do.
The four things that go wrong
The hospital letter is wrong or missing. By far the most common cause of refusal. What the letter must contain.
Travelling on a tourist visa. Covered above. Do not.
Applying too late. People book flights first and apply afterwards. Do it the other way round.
The visa expires mid-treatment. Avoidable, and extendable through the FRRO, but you must apply before it expires rather than after.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a medical visa on arrival in India?
No. India does not issue visas on arrival for medical treatment. Your visa must be approved before you fly.
Can I convert a tourist visa to a medical visa once I am in India?
Generally no. Conversion between visa categories inside India is not routinely permitted. In exceptional medical circumstances the FRRO may consider a case, but this is not something to plan around.
Do I need the hospital letter before I apply?
Yes, in practice. It is the document that establishes your application is genuinely medical, and it is usually the difference between a smooth approval and a refusal.
How many times can I enter India on a medical visa?
Usually three within the validity period, which matters if you need to return home between chemotherapy cycles or for a staged procedure.
Can I work or study on a medical visa?
No. It permits treatment and recovery only.
What if my treatment takes longer than expected?
Apply to the FRRO for an extension before your current visa expires, with a letter from the treating hospital.
Last checked 22 July 2026. Immigration rules change, so confirm current requirements with the Indian mission in your country before applying. We are not immigration advisers, and nobody can guarantee a visa outcome.
We handle the visa paperwork
A hospital cannot price your treatment without seeing your reports. Send them and we come back with itemised estimates from two or three hospitals — usually within 24 hours, or 48 for transplant and complex oncology.