Medical Tourism

Medical Visa for India

Treatment Travel — Handled End to End

Complete assistance with the e-Medical Visa, Medical Attendant Visa, AYUSH Visa, hospital invitation letters, FRRO registration, and on-treatment extensions for international patients and their families.

Request a Free Quote

No obligation — we reply within 24 hours.

Get My Quote on WhatsAppOr call +91 92209 97850
15
FRRO offices covered
60+
Nationalities
< 24 hrs
Reply time

Independent consultancy. Not affiliated with any government agency.

The short answer

Which India medical visa do you need?

There are three, and the one most patients assume they have is often the wrong one. The e-Medical Visa is valid for 60 days from first arrival with triple entry — the "one year" figure widely quoted online refers to the regular paper Medical Visa issued by an embassy, a separate channel with heavier documentation. The Medical Attendant Visa covers accompanying family, and the AYUSH Visa covers traditional treatment. All three are anchored on a letter from a recognised Indian hospital.

e-Medical Visa
60 days from first arrival, triple entry
Regular Medical Visa
Longer validity via an Indian mission; heavier documentation
Attendant Visa
Up to two close blood relatives accompanying the patient
Anchor document
Invitation letter from a recognised or accredited hospital
Overview

About Medical Visa for India

Last reviewed · Verify current rules on the official portals before acting

India is one of the world's leading medical tourism destinations, treating over 600,000 international patients each year at NABH- and JCI-accredited hospitals for 30–70% less than many Western countries. The Medical Visa (M-Visa) is granted to foreign nationals whose sole purpose of travel is treatment at a recognised or accredited Indian hospital. It exists in three forms: the e-Medical Visa for patients, the Medical Attendant Visa for accompanying family, and the AYUSH Visa for traditional treatment such as Ayurveda and Yoga. The detail most patients miss is duration: the e-Medical Visa is valid for 60 days from first arrival with triple entry — not the "one year" often quoted, which actually refers to the regular paper Medical Visa issued through an embassy, a separate channel with heavier documentation. We help you choose the correct visa for your treatment timeline, prepare the stamped hospital invitation letter and supporting medical records, file accurately to avoid rejection, and manage FRRO registration and any e-FRRO extension if recovery runs long.

Need Help With Medical Tourism?

Our experts provide personalized guidance for your specific situation.

Book Free ConsultationWhatsApp Us
Eligibility

Who Can Apply?

  • e-Medical Visa — for the patient travelling for treatment at a recognised or accredited Indian hospital
  • Medical Attendant Visa (MED X) — up to two close blood relatives accompanying the patient
  • AYUSH Visa — for Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, or Homeopathy treatment
  • Patients seeking cardiac care, oncology, organ transplants, orthopedics (knee/hip replacement), or neurosurgery
  • Follow-up patients returning for review at the same Indian hospital
  • Note: surrogacy is excluded from this category. Planned treatment needs a Medical Visa from the start; an unexpected illness on another visa is handled by an FRRO Medical Permit, with conversion to a Medical Visa only if treatment runs beyond 180 days
Documentation

Documents Required

  • Passport valid 6+ months with at least two blank pages
  • Recent front-facing photograph with a white background
  • Stamped invitation letter on hospital letterhead, stating treatment type and start/end dates
  • Prior diagnostic and medical reports (CT / MRI / X-ray, as applicable)
  • Proof of funds — certified 3-month bank statement or sponsor affidavit
  • Discharge summary or previous medical papers (for follow-up treatment)
  • Attendant's proof of relationship to the patient (for the Medical Attendant Visa)
  • Travel itinerary covering arrival and treatment dates

Document requirements can vary based on nationality, consulate, and specific circumstances. We provide tailored document checklists during consultation.

Free Medical Tourism Checklist

Download our comprehensive Medical Tourism guide — the complete document checklist, exact specifications, common mistakes to avoid, a step-by-step preparation timeline, quick FAQs, and official government resources.

Download Free PDF

No email required to download. Includes a full document checklist, specifications, common mistakes, a preparation timeline, FAQs and official resources.

Process

How We Help You

1

Visa & Timeline Assessment

We confirm whether the e-Medical or regular Medical Visa fits your treatment length, and map the 60-day limit against your recovery plan.

2

Hospital Letter & Documents

We coordinate the stamped hospital invitation letter and review your medical records and proof of funds before submission.

3

Online Application Filing

We prepare and file the e-Medical and Medical Attendant applications accurately on the official portal to avoid rejection.

4

Arrival & FRRO Registration

We handle the e-Arrival Card and FRRO registration, including the tighter deadlines that apply to some nationalities.

5

Extensions & Compliance

If recovery runs past 60 days, we manage the e-FRRO extension with a fresh hospital certificate and keep you compliant.

FAQs

Common Questions About Medical Tourism

How long is the e-Medical Visa valid?

The e-Medical Visa is valid for 60 days from your first arrival in India, with triple entry. If your treatment needs longer, the regular paper Medical Visa or an e-FRRO extension is the route — we assess which applies to your case before you apply.

Can my family travel with me?

Yes. Up to two close blood relatives can accompany you on Medical Attendant Visas (MED X), issued in line with your Medical Visa. We file these together with the patient's application.

Do I need to register with the FRRO after arrival?

It depends on your visa. A Medical Visa valid for more than 180 days means registering within 14 days of arrival; on a shorter visa, you register only if treatment keeps you beyond 180 days, and then before those 180 days run out. Nationals of some specified countries follow a separate timeline set by government order. We confirm your deadline and handle the filing.

What happens if my treatment takes longer than the visa allows?

You can apply for an extension of up to one year through the e-FRRO portal, supported by a fresh certificate from your treating hospital justifying continued stay. The process is online, and we manage it for you.

Can I convert a tourist visa to a medical visa after arriving?

Not for planned treatment — if treatment is the reason for your trip, travel on a Medical Visa from the start. An unexpected illness is different. MHA's guidelines let the FRRO issue a Medical Permit so a Tourist, Business, Employment, Student or Research Visa holder can be treated without converting the visa, backed by a certificate from a government or recognised hospital. Conversion to a Medical Visa is required only if the treatment runs beyond 180 days or the stay the visa allows, and a minor condition needing no hospital stay can simply be treated. We advise on the right route before you travel, so you are not relying on an exception.

How early should I apply?

Apply at least four days before arrival, within a 120-day window. e-Medical Visas are often processed within 72 hours, but we recommend starting early so visa timing aligns with your hospital admission date.

Official government sources

We base our guidance on official Indian government sources and update it as rules change. Requirements are set by the authorities and can change — always verify the current position directly before you apply:

Get Expert Help with Medical Tourism

Fill in the form below and our team will respond within 24 hours.

By submitting this form, you consent to being contacted by India Visa Experts regarding your inquiry. We are an independent consulting firm and are not affiliated with any government agency.

Disclaimer: We are an independent visa and immigration consulting service. We are not affiliated with the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), FRRO, or any government agency. Visa decisions are made solely by the relevant government authorities. Information on this page is for general guidance only.

Ready to Proceed with Your Medical Tourism Application?

Our experts are ready to guide you through every step of the process.

Independent consulting service. Not affiliated with the Government of India or any government agency.