How to Apply for Indian Medical Visa

What is the Indian Medical Visa?

An Indian Medical Visa is a specialized travel document issued by the Indian government for foreigners intending to receive medical treatment in accredited Indian hospitals. It is accessible in two forms: the regular Medical Visa and the online e-Medical visa.

To receive the Indian medical visa, eligible foreign nationals must complete an online application process that requires a letter from the chosen Indian hospital, proof of their financial ability for their stay in India, and a return flight ticket.

The experienced doctors and cost-effective treatments in India have contributed to the country’s growing reputation as a medical tourism hub.

What is e-Medical Visa?

An e-Medical Visa for India is a valuable online option for foreign nationals seeking medical treatment in India. It reduces both time and money by eliminating the need to visit the Indian embassy. This e-visa requires a valid passport with at least two blank pages, a recent passport-type photograph, an appointment letter from the chosen hospital, an email address, and payment via credit or debit card.

The e-medical Visa is a triple-entry visa that allows for a 60-day stay within a 60-day validity period. It allows for three entries into India during this time period, and two attendants can accompany the patient if they submit for separate Medical Attendant Visas. This e-Visa reduces the application procedure, making it a quick and easy choice for people looking for medical treatment in India.

Eligibility for Indian Medical Visa

The several key factors that make a citizen of another country eligible for Indian Medical Visa are:

• Medical Consultation: Applicants must have a medical test done in their home country, after which it is recommended that they seek specialized treatment in India.
• Recognized Hospitals: Treatment should be received in India’s established, recognized, and specialized hospitals.
• Priority for Critical Ailments: Applicants with severe medical conditions, such as heart diseases, organ transplants, neurosurgery, and other serious illnesses, are given priority.
• Financial Assurance: Applicants have to prove their ability to cover all treatment-related costs, including the return flight ticket to their native country.
• Exclusion of Surrogacy: It is important to take into account that the medical visa is not valid for surrogacy reasons.

Documents Required for Indian Medical Visa

You would probably need the following documents to apply for an Indian Medical Visa:

• Passport: Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months and contains at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps.
• Passport Photos: Recent passport-sized photos are needed.
• Photocopy of Passport: A copy of your passport for documentation.
• Visa Application Form: A printed and completed visa application form.
• Proof of Residential Address: Documents verifying your address.
• Medical Recommendation: A medical document from your native country recommending treatment at an Indian hospital.
• Passport Copy of Attendant (if applicable): Provide a copy of the attendant’s passport (if needed) while applying for a medical attendant visa.

How to get Visa Invitation Letter?

• Consult Your Doctor: Request your treating doctor to prepare a letter describing your medical condition, required treatment, and the length of your treatment stay. Ensure that the stamp on this letter is from the accredited hospital where your treatment is scheduled.
• Contact a Facilitation Company: If you prefer an easy approach, try contacting a facilitation company such as Al Afiya Medi Tour. We can help you with the entire procedure, from choosing a hospital to arriving in India, and even get the Visa Invitation Letter on your behalf.

What is an Attendant Visa?

An Attendant Visa, also known as a Medical Attendant Visa, is a type of visa that allows individuals to accompany a patient seeking medical treatment in India. This visa is only for the patient’s close family members or a doctor accompanying the patient. At most, two attendants can visit with one patient at the same time. The Attendant Visa application process is similar to that of the patient, and the visa’s validity and extension policies are similar to those of the Medical Visa.

Having all of the required documents in order and correctly filling out the necessary forms is important for a smooth application process.

What is the processing time for Indian Medical Visa?

The normal processing time for an Indian Medical Visa is 3 to 5 business days. This allows applicants to receive their e-visa within a reasonable timeframe. For those with more urgent demands, faster options such as Rush and Super Rush are available, which may significantly reduce processing time to 3 or 2 days, respectively.

What is the fee for Indian Medical Visa?

The fee for an Indian Medical Visa depends on the applicant’s country of residence and the urgency of the application. In the majority of cases, the cost is between $80 and $100. However, countries such as Japan, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, may have a cheaper fee, as low as $25.

Several nations do not charge a medical visa fee such as Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, and Vanuatu.

What is the Registration Procedure for the Indian Medical Visa?

The registration process for an Indian Medical Visa is a requirement that all applicants must follow. You must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) within 14 days after arriving in India if you have a medical visa. This registration is required to ensure that your stay in India is legally documented and that it doesn’t exceed the validity period of your visa. It is important to note that failing to register with the FRRO or FRO within the time frame specified can result in legal difficulties. To avoid problems, medical visa holders must complete this registration as soon as they arrive in India.

What should Patients do to get Visa extension?

• Patients have to submit a medical certificate from a recognized Indian hospital stating the need for an extended stay.
• This medical certificate should be submitted to the State Department as well as the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
• The Ministry of Home Affairs normally handles requests for extensions, and the decision is based on recommendations from the FRRO or concerned state governments.
• The extension is usually given for a year, allowing patients to continue medical treatment in India as required.