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Medical visa & travel
Medical Visa for India: A Patient Planning Guide
Understand the documents, hospital letter, attendant route and important application checks.
Visa requirements for medical care in India change, so treat this article as a planning framework and verify the details on the official Government of India visa portal before you apply. India provides a dedicated medical visa route for people travelling for planned medical treatment abroad, and the rules about which route applies depend on your nationality, the purpose of travel and the treatment involved.
This guide explains the standard documents, the hospital letter, the attendant route and the checks that help an application go smoothly. It does not replace official instructions or advice from the Indian mission responsible for your country.
Start by identifying the correct visa route
For planned medical treatment, applicants generally use the Medical Visa or, where eligible, the e-Medical Visa route. A tourist visa is generally not appropriate for planned medical care. The correct route depends on current government rules, so begin on the official Indian visa portal and confirm the category that applies to your nationality and purpose.
Check each of these before applying: passport validity (leaving more than six months is commonly expected — confirm the current rule), recent photographs, the treat-and-travel plan, supporting documents for the treatment, and the port through which you plan to enter. Requirements such as permitted entry points and validity can change.
Documents you normally need
- Passport valid for the required period with blank pages for the visa sticker.
- Recent digital photograph meeting the official specifications.
- The treatment plan and supporting medical reports from the hospital or doctor in India.
- A medical visa invitation letter from the treating hospital where requested.
- Evidence of funds to cover the treatment and stay, where required.
- Return or onward travel itinerary where required.
- Any additional documents listed by the Indian mission for your country.
The hospital invitation letter
The hospital letter should clearly identify the patient, the hospital and contact details, the consultant, the proposed treatment, the expected duration of treatment and stay, and the contact for visa-related questions. Ask the hospital’s international patient office for this letter early and check the details are correct before applying.
Check details twice. A letter with a misspelt name, an outdated hospital branch or missing dates can delay or complicate an application. Ask for a corrected copy before you submit.
The medical attendant route
Patients often travel with a family member or attendant. Under current official e-Visa guidance, up to two e-Medical Attendant visas may be granted against one e-Medical Visa. Requirements and limits can change, and the attendant route is not automatic — confirm eligibility for your application on the official portal.
How the application works
Check official eligibility
Use the Government of India e-Visa portal or the Indian mission responsible for your country. Confirm whether you use the e-Medical Visa form or a regular Medical Visa application.
Prepare documents
Gather the passport, photograph, hospital letter and supporting medical and travel documents before you begin the form, so information is consistent.
Submit the application
Complete the online form, pay the applicable fee where required, and submit within the recommended window before travel. Keep the application reference number.
Check the grant carefully
When approved, verify the validity, number of entries, permitted port and the name on the visa. Raise any mismatch before you travel.
1Confirm the route that applies to you.
2Prepare the hospital letter and documents early.
3Verify the grant details before departure.
Before you travel
Keep printed and digital copies of the passport, visa grant, hospital letter, medical summary, treating hospital contact, accommodation details, return or onward tickets, prescriptions and insurance documents. Each accompanying traveller should carry their own valid documents. If the patient needs wheelchair service, oxygen or medical clearance, contact the airline early because rules vary by airline and destination.
After you arrive
Enter through the permitted port and keep the documents together. Some may need to register with the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office depending on the visa conditions and length of stay — check and follow the rule that applies to your visa. Do not overstay the validity, and keep the hospital informed of your plans.
Questions patients ask
Can I use a tourist visa for planned medical treatment?
Generally no. Planned medical care has a dedicated medical visa route. Rely on the official Indian visa portal and the Indian mission for your country rather than on assumptions or old information.
Can my family travel as attendants?
Yes, up to two attendants may generally travel under the e-Medical Attendant route against one e-Medical Visa under current guidance. Confirm eligibility and limits on the official portal for your application.
Which airports allow entry on an e-Medical Visa?
Permitted entry points are set by the government and can change. Check the official e-Visa guidance for approved disembarkation points before booking flights.
What if my treatment lasts longer than the visa?
Visa validity and extensions are granted under official rules rather than by the hospital. Plan treatment timing with the treating team and check extension or re-entry options on the official portal if you expect a long stay.
Sources and verification
Visa information was checked against the Government of India’s India Visa Online portal and its official e-Visa guidance. Requirements can change; verify again before applying and again before travelling. See also our medical visa page.
Medical disclaimer: This article provides general travel-planning information only and does not constitute visa, legal or medical advice.