India Medical Visa Guide for International Patients (2026)
How the Indian e-Medical Visa works, which documents you need, how attendants travel with you, and what changes country by country. HealYourTrip issues the hospital invitation letter your application depends on — free of charge.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Anand Verma, MBBS, MDLast updated
HealYourTrip is a medical travel facilitator. Diagnosis and treatment are performed by licensed physicians at partner hospitals. Read our editorial & medical review policy.
The e-Medical Visa Process, Step by Step
1. Get a hospital invitation letter
Send your medical reports to HealYourTrip. A specialist at the matched hospital reviews them and the hospital issues an invitation letter naming the treatment, the treating consultant and the expected duration. This letter is the document the visa application is built around, and it is free.
2. Apply online for the e-Medical Visa
Most nationalities apply at the official portal indianvisaonline.gov.in under the e-Medical Visa category. You upload a passport bio page scan, a recent photograph and the hospital letter, and pay the fee online. Where a nationality is outside the e-Visa scheme, the same documents are submitted in person at the Indian Mission or visa application centre instead.
3. Add attendant visas
Up to two family members can travel with the patient on the e-Medical Attendant Visa. Attendant applications reference the patient's visa application number, so apply for the patient first and the attendants immediately afterwards.
4. Receive approval and travel
The electronic travel authorisation arrives by email, typically within a few working days. Print it and carry it with the hospital letter and your reports. The e-Medical Visa is issued for a short stay with multiple entries; extensions for continuing treatment are handled through the FRRO with a hospital letter.
5. On arrival
Your coordinator meets you at the airport, arranges transfer and hospital admission, and helps with FRRO registration where the stay requires it.
Documents You Need
- Passport valid at least 6 months with two blank pages
- Recent passport-size photograph on a white background
- Hospital invitation letter from the treating Indian hospital
- Medical reports supporting the treatment request
- Proof of funds or a sponsor letter for the treatment
- Return travel details (may be requested at the counter)
Medical Visa Notes by Country
Details below are the same ones published on each country page.
🇳🇬 Nigeria
Nigerian passport holders apply for an Indian Medical Visa (MED visa) via the Indian High Commission in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos. Processing 3–7 business days. HealYourTrip provides the hospital invitation letter. Visa fee approx USD 80.
Full Nigeria patient guide →🇰🇪 Kenya
Kenyan passport holders qualify for the Indian e-Medical Visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Processing 2–5 days, fee approx USD 80. Triple-entry valid for 60 days. HealYourTrip provides the hospital letter required for the application.
Full Kenya patient guide →🇧🇩 Bangladesh
Bangladeshi nationals apply at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Dhaka, Chittagong or Sylhet. Indian Medical Visa with HealYourTrip's hospital letter — typically processed in 3–7 business days. Fee approx USD 80.
Full Bangladesh patient guide →🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Saudi nationals and residents apply via the Indian Embassy in Riyadh or Consulate in Jeddah. Indian Medical Visa, processing 3–7 days, fee approx USD 80. HealYourTrip provides the hospital letter.
Full Saudi Arabia patient guide →🇦🇪 UAE
UAE residents and Emirati nationals qualify for the Indian e-Medical Visa online (fastest option, 2–4 days). Or apply at the Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi/Consulate Dubai. Fee approx USD 80.
Full UAE patient guide →Get Your Hospital Invitation Letter
Share your reports and we will match you with a hospital, arrange the specialist review and send the invitation letter your visa application needs — usually within 24 hours, at no cost.
India Medical Visa — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a tourist visa and an India Medical Visa?
A Medical Visa is issued specifically for treatment at a named hospital, allows a longer stay with multiple entries, and lets accompanying family travel on attendant visas. Treatment should not be undertaken on a tourist visa.
How long does the Indian Medical Visa take?
For e-Medical Visa nationalities it is usually a few working days once the hospital letter is uploaded. Applications made in person at an Indian Mission generally take longer — see the country notes above.
How much does the Indian Medical Visa cost?
The government fee is approximately USD 80 for most nationalities. HealYourTrip does not charge for the hospital invitation letter or visa coordination.
Can my family travel with me?
Yes — up to two attendants can travel on the e-Medical Attendant Visa, applied for after the patient's application.
Can the visa be extended if treatment takes longer?
Yes. The hospital issues a continuation letter and the extension is processed through the FRRO in the treatment city.
What if my visa application is refused?
Reapply with a corrected hospital letter and clearer supporting reports. Your coordinator will review the documentation with the hospital's international patient desk before you reapply.
Visa and travel guides by country:
🇳🇬 Nigeria🇰🇪 Kenya🇬🇭 Ghana🇧🇩 Bangladesh🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia🇦🇪 UAE🇴🇲 Oman🇪🇹 Ethiopia🇹🇿 Tanzania🇮🇶 Iraq🇺🇬 Uganda🇰🇼 Kuwait🇶🇦 Qatar🇧🇭 Bahrain