How to Get a Medical Visa for India: Step-by-Step

If you are traveling to India for medical treatment, you need a medical visa. This is different from a tourist visa and is specifically designed for patients seeking healthcare. Medical visas allow longer stays and multiple entries, which is important for treatments that require follow-up visits.

India offers two types of medical visas: the traditional Medical Visa (sticker visa) and the e-Medical Visa (electronic visa). The e-Medical Visa is faster and easier for citizens of eligible countries. Both serve the same purpose but have different application processes.

This guide walks you through both options so you can choose the one that works best for your situation. Start the visa process early — delays can affect your treatment schedule.

The e-Medical Visa is an electronic visa that can be applied for entirely online. It is available to citizens of most countries and is the fastest option for medical travelers. Processing typically takes 3-5 business days.

e-Medical Visa features:

• Valid for 60 days from the date of arrival
• Triple entry (you can enter India up to 3 times)
• Can be extended in India if treatment requires longer stay
• Applied entirely online — no embassy visit needed
• Approval sent via email as a PDF

The e-Medical Visa is suitable for most treatment plans. If your treatment is expected to take longer than 60 days, you can either apply for an extension while in India or consider the traditional Medical Visa which allows longer validity.

Before starting your online application, gather all required documents. Having everything ready makes the process smooth and reduces the chance of rejection due to missing information.

Required documents:

• Passport with at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages
• Recent passport-size photograph (white background)
• Letter from the Indian hospital confirming your appointment
• Medical records supporting the need for treatment
• Proof of sufficient funds for treatment and stay
• Return ticket or travel itinerary (can be tentative)

The hospital letter is crucial. It should be on hospital letterhead, mention your diagnosis, proposed treatment, expected duration, and treating doctor. We provide this letter for all patients we work with.

The online application is straightforward but requires attention to detail. Mistakes can lead to rejection or delays. Follow these steps carefully.

Step-by-step process:

• Visit the official Indian visa website (indianvisaonline.gov.in)
• Select e-Medical Visa and click Apply
• Fill in personal details exactly as they appear in your passport
• Upload passport photo and passport scan
• Enter details of your Indian hospital and treatment
• Provide contact details in India (hospital address is acceptable)
• Review all information carefully before submitting
• Pay the visa fee online (amount varies by nationality)
• Save the application ID for tracking

After submission, you can track your application status online using your application ID. Approved visas are sent to your email as PDF documents. Print the approval and carry it when you travel.

The traditional Medical Visa requires applying at an Indian embassy or consulate or through a visa service center. It takes longer but offers more flexibility for extended treatments.

Traditional Medical Visa features:

• Valid for up to 1 year (can be extended)
• Multiple entries allowed
• Suitable for long-term treatments like cancer care or transplants
• Processing time: 1-3 weeks depending on location
• Requires in-person submission at embassy or visa center

Choose this option if your treatment plan spans several months, requires multiple hospital visits over an extended period, or if you are from a country not eligible for e-Medical Visa.

The traditional visa requires more documentation than the e-visa. Prepare these documents before visiting the embassy or visa center.

Required documents:

• Completed visa application form
• Valid passport (original and copy)
• Two passport-size photographs
• Letter from Indian hospital on letterhead
• Medical records and diagnosis documents
• Letter from local doctor recommending treatment in India
• Proof of financial means
• Bank statements for last 6 months
• Visa fee payment receipt

Requirements may vary slightly by country. Check with your local Indian embassy or visa center for any additional requirements specific to your nationality.

Family members traveling with you as caregivers can apply for Medical Attendant Visas. These are linked to your medical visa and allow companions to stay in India for the duration of your treatment.

Medical Attendant Visa requirements:

• Can be applied along with patient medical visa
• Up to 2 attendants allowed per patient
• Same validity period as patient visa
• Requires proof of relationship with patient
• Patient medical visa approval needed for traditional visa

Apply for attendant visas at the same time as the patient visa to ensure everyone can travel together. Include a letter explaining the attendant’s role in supporting the patient during treatment.

Visa rejections or delays often result from avoidable mistakes. Being aware of common errors helps you submit a clean application the first time.

Mistakes that cause problems:

• Name spelling different from passport
• Photograph not meeting specifications
• Hospital letter missing required details
• Applying for wrong visa type
• Insufficient funds documentation
• Submitting expired or unclear document scans
• Not allowing enough processing time
• Missing signatures on forms

Double-check every detail before submission. A small error like a typo in your name can cause rejection. If you are unsure about anything, ask us — we help patients with visa applications regularly.

If your treatment takes longer than your visa validity, you can apply for an extension while in India. Extensions are granted for genuine medical reasons and require documentation from your treating hospital.

Extension process:

• Apply at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)
• Submit letter from hospital explaining need for extended stay
• Provide updated treatment plan and expected completion date
• Apply before your current visa expires
• Extensions typically granted for 2-3 months at a time

We assist patients with visa extensions when needed. The process is manageable but requires proper documentation. Start the extension process at least 2 weeks before your visa expires.

The visa process can seem complicated, but it is manageable with proper preparation. Most patients receive their visas without issues when applications are complete and accurate.

As part of our services, we provide the hospital letter required for medical visa applications and guide you through the process. We review your documents before submission to catch any errors that might cause delays.

If you have questions about the visa process or need help preparing your application, contact us. We have helped hundreds of patients navigate medical visa requirements successfully.