Know Every Detail of Medical Visa for India: Process, Eligibility, Validity, and Documents Required

20 February,2024

Today's India is not just a tourist hotspot but has gained significant popularity among patients seeking specialized medical care. The country boasts renowned specialists, advanced healthcare facilities, and cost-effective treatment options. Obtaining a medical visa is crucial to travel to India for treatment.
A medical visa is a necessary document that grants access to a particular nation for specific treatments. This blog aims to explain the visa process, providing a comprehensive overview of eligibility, documentation, application procedures, and valuable tips for a smooth experience.

What are the Different Types of Medical Visas for India?

Since 2014, the Indian government has eased the process for international patients wishing to travel to India for medical treatment. You no longer need to visit the Indian Embassy to file for a visa. Patients from over 170 countries can apply online for an e-Medical Visa and avoid the hassles of traditional paper visas.

Types of e-Medical Visa:

• Medical Visa for the Patient: The e-Medical Visa applies to patients seeking medical care in India. The validity duration for an e-Medical Visa is one year or the duration of the treatment, whichever is earlier.
• Medical Attendant Visa: Attendants or family members of the patient coming to India may be granted a medical attendant visa (MED X Visa). Minor children accompanying a parent who has come on a medical visa may be issued an 'X-Misc.' Visa.

Who Qualifies for a Medical Visa?

• Foreign Nationals: Only individuals without Indian citizenship are eligible for a medical visa.
• Medical Necessity: Your primary purpose for visiting India must be to seek medical treatment under the Indian system of medicine.
• Specialized Care: Treatment should be sought at specialized hospitals or centers approved and recognized by the MCI, ICMR, NABH, or CGHS.
• Family Members: MED X visa may be granted to up to 2 family members of the patient. If the patient is a Bangladeshi national, 3 attendants can be allowed.

What are the Essential Documents Required to File a Medical Visa?

• Valid Passport: Your passport must have validity for at least six months beyond your intended stay in India and have at least two blank pages for stamps. Keep a scanned copy of the biographical page of the passport ready before initiating the application process..
• Recent Passport-Sized Photographs: A soft copy of the visitor's recent passport-style color photo is required while filling out the e-Medical Visa.
• Medical Report: A registered medical practitioner in your home country should issue a report detailing your medical condition and recommended treatment.
• Hospital Confirmation Letter: Secure a letter from the Indian hospital or treatment center confirming your appointment, estimated stay duration, and anticipated treatment cost. It should be written on the official letterhead of the respective hospital.
• Financial Documents: Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover medical expenses, living costs, and travel through bank statements, tax returns, or a sponsor's letter.
• Return Tickets: You should also have a return ticket out of the country while applying for a medical visa.
• Additional Documents: Depending on circumstances, you might be asked to provide further documents like attendant passports and relationship proofs, medical certificates for specific conditions, or police clearance certificates.

What is the Process for Applying for an e-Medical Visa?

Applying for an e-Medical Visa for India is very simple and streamlined. You can complete the visa process in a few easy steps.

• Apply Online: You must visit the official portal for visa application to India and start the registration process. You need to fill in the basic details like date of birth, address, passport number, details of parents, etc. You also need to upload a passport-sized color photograph in jpeg format and a copy of the first page of the passport showing personal details.
• Pay Fees: The next step involves paying the fees. You can pay the visa fees using a debit or credit card. The visa fees vary according to country. You can check the official fees for your specific country here. Please note that banking charges of 2.5% will be charged in addition to the e-Medical Visa fees.
• Receive ETA Online: You will get your Electronic Travel Authorization or the ETA on your e-mail. The average duration of visa processing is 2-4 business days. However, your visa can be processed within 24 hours in exceptional cases of emergency.
• Fly to India: Once you get your ETA, take a printout of it and present it at the immigration checkpoint, where eVisa will be stamped on your passport. Currently, you can use 31 airports and 5 seaports to enter India.

What is the Validity and Extension Procedure for e-Medical Visa?

• The initial validity period of a medical visa (MED Visa) and the medical attendant visa (MED X Visa) is up to one year or the treatment period, whichever is less.
• The Indian Missions/Posts abroad may, however, issue a medical visa of 6 months validity with triple entry as a default option to all foreign nationals except nationals of Iran, Egypt, Libya, Qatar, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Tunisia, Kuwait, Yemen, Algeria, Bahrain, Turkey, Morocco, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, North Korea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Belarus, Somalia, South Sudan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Sri Lanka.
• The FRRO (Foreign Regional Registration Office) or FRO (Foreigners Registration Office) concerned can extend the medical visa for up to one year. You must produce a medical certificate indicating the reason for extension from a Government/ ICMR/ NABH/ MCI or CGHS-recognized hospital.

Important Points to Remember

• The Indian medical visa is a triple entry visa, i.e., a person can enter the country three times within its validity.
• Foreign nationals holding medical or medical attendant visas with more than 180 days of validity must register with the relevant FRRO/ FRO within 14 days of arriving in India.
• You should apply for the Indian medical visa at least 4 to 7 days before your flight or date of entry into the country.
• The countdown for the medical visa starts from the day it is issued and not from the day of your entry into India. 
• If you are planning to visit India for medical treatment and need assistance with a visa, get in touch with us. Besides medical visa support, we offer airport pick-up and drop-off services, hotel accommodations, travel arrangements, doctor’s consultations, and hospital admissions. Contact us at info@medijourney.co.in or submit an inquiry, and we will gladly assist you.

Conclusion

India has emerged as a medical tourism hub, observing millions of patients from over 170 countries annually. The Indian Government has streamlined the process of medical visa application to reduce the hassles of international patients. You can now obtain it online by following a few simple steps mentioned above in the blog. If you wish to get high-quality treatment at affordable prices, get your visa today and fly to India.