Medical Visa for India 2026: Documents, Fee, Process

A medical visa for India is a special entry permit for foreign nationals who travel to India for treatment at a recognised hospital. It comes in two forms: an e-Medical visa applied for online by eligible nationalities, and a regular medical visa applied for at an Indian mission. Companions apply for a medical attendant visa linked to the patient’s visa. You need a hospital letter, medical reports and a valid passport.

Visa mistakes delay more medical trips than any other single cause. A missing hospital letter, a wrong visa type or a late application can push back surgery by weeks. This guide explains who needs which visa, what documents to prepare, how the process runs and what to check before you travel.

Quick facts

• Visa types: e-Medical visa (online), regular medical visa (embassy or consulate), medical attendant visa for companions
• Core document: A letter from the Indian hospital confirming your treatment
• Where to apply for the e-visa: The official Indian visa portal only
• Attendants: Companions get a separate attendant visa that depends on the patient’s visa
• Fees and validity: Change by nationality and policy, so confirm on the official portal
• Apply early: Do not book non-refundable flights before the visa is approved

What is a medical visa for India?

A medical visa is meant for people who travel to India mainly for treatment. A tourist visa does not allow you to undergo treatment, so using one for surgery or long-term care can cause problems at the border and with your hospital.

The medical visa allows you to enter India, be admitted to a recognised hospital and stay for the treatment period. Validity, number of entries and extension rules are set by the Indian government and can change, so always read the current conditions on the official portal before you apply.

Which medical visa types are available?

Feature	e-Medical visa	Regular medical visa	Medical attendant visa
Who it is for	Patients from eligible countries	Patients from any country, including those not eligible for the e-visa	Companions of the patient
Where you apply	Official online portal	Indian embassy, consulate or authorised visa centre	Online (e-MX) or at a mission, matching the patient’s route
Hospital letter	Required	Required	Linked to the patient’s visa
Typical use	Short to medium treatment stays	Longer or complex treatment, or when e-visa is not available	Family member or caregiver staying with the patient
Strength	Faster, no embassy visit	Wider eligibility	Lets a caregiver stay with you

An attendant visa is generally limited to a small number of companions per patient and is tied to the patient’s visa, so the attendant’s stay depends on the patient’s. Confirm the current attendant limit on the official portal.

If you are weighing the first two options, our upcoming guide on the e-Medical visa vs regular medical visa compares them in detail.

Who is eligible for a medical visa for India?

You usually qualify if you:

• Hold a valid passport with enough remaining validity and blank pages
• Have a medical condition that needs treatment at a recognised Indian hospital
• Have a letter from that hospital confirming your treatment
• Can show you can pay for treatment and your stay
• Have no restriction on entry into India

Eligibility for the e-visa depends on your nationality, and some nationalities must apply through an embassy or visa centre instead. Check the portal’s list of eligible countries, or ask us on the medical visa assistance page if you are unsure.

Which documents do you need?

Prepare these before you start the application.

For the patient

• Passport with valid dates (scan of the bio page)
• Recent passport-style photograph that meets the portal’s size and background rules
• Hospital letter from the Indian hospital, on letterhead, naming you, the treatment and the doctor
• Medical reports: diagnosis, recent test results, scans and a treatment summary from your home doctor
• Proof of funds, if requested
• Return ticket details, if requested

For the attendant

• Passport copy and photograph
• Proof of relationship to the patient, such as a family document
• A reference to the patient’s application

The hospital letter is the document that holds up most applications. It should state the diagnosis, the planned treatment, the expected duration and the hospital’s contact details. Read how the letter works in our upcoming post on the hospital invitation letter for a medical visa.

How does the application process work?

1. Get a treatment plan. Send your reports for review. A remote second opinion from an Indian specialist can confirm the plan before you apply.
2. Choose the hospital and doctor. Compare accredited options on our hospitals and doctors pages.
3. Request the hospital letter. The hospital’s international patient desk issues it once your case is accepted.
4. Choose your visa route. Use the e-Medical visa if your nationality qualifies, or apply at the mission or visa centre.
5. Fill in the form. Enter details exactly as they appear in your passport.
6. Upload documents and pay the fee. Fees depend on nationality and visa type.
7. Wait for approval. Processing times vary, so apply well ahead of your planned date.
8. Print and carry the approval. Keep printed copies of the visa, hospital letter and reports.
9. Apply for attendant visas. Do this alongside the patient’s application.
10. Travel and register if needed. Check whether your stay needs registration after arrival under current rules.

How much does a medical visa for India cost?

The fee depends on your nationality, the visa type, the duration and sometimes a service charge at a visa centre. It also changes over time. Do not rely on a number from a blog, including this one. Read the current fee on the official Indian visa portal or on your nearest mission’s website, and budget for it in your trip costs. For the full picture beyond the visa, see our guide to the real cost of a surgery trip to India.

How long does it take?

Processing time depends on the visa route, your nationality and how complete your application is. An e-visa is often quicker than an embassy application, but neither is instant. Plan for the application to take longer than expected, especially in busy seasons, and avoid fixing a surgery date until your visa is approved.

What are the common mistakes?

• Using a tourist visa for treatment. It does not cover medical stays.
• Applying without the hospital letter. The application will stall.
• Name or passport mismatches. Errors between the form and the passport cause rejections.
• Poor photographs or scans. Blurry or wrong-size files are refused.
• Booking flights too early. Wait for visa approval first, or book refundable tickets.
• Forgetting the attendant. The companion needs their own approved visa.
• Planning a stay that is too short. Recovery and follow-up can take longer than the surgery, so plan realistic dates with your doctor.
• Using unofficial sites. Copycat websites charge extra for the same form. Only use the official portal or a verified mission.

What happens if the treatment takes longer?

Medical needs can change. If your doctor advises a longer stay, ask the hospital’s international patient desk and your coordinator about the extension rules that apply to your visa. Extensions are handled through the relevant Indian authorities, and the process depends on your visa type and current regulations. Keep your hospital reports updated so you can show why you need the extra time.

Does the visa guarantee treatment or entry?

No. The visa lets you apply to enter India for treatment, but immigration officers decide on entry at the border. Carry your hospital letter, reports, passport, return details and any proof of funds. Treatment itself is decided by your doctor after examination, and your plan may change. Our medical disclaimer explains the limits of the information on this site.

How does the visa fit into the full trip?

The visa is one step in a larger plan: estimate, hospital choice, visa, travel, treatment, recovery and follow-up. Read medical tourism in India in 2026 for the whole process and how to plan medical treatment in India from abroad for a step-by-step plan. If you are selecting a company to coordinate the trip, use our guide on how to choose a medical tourism facilitator in India. You can also see what we arrange on the medical services page, and read patient accounts on success stories.

Frequently asked questions

What is a medical visa for India?
It is a visa for foreign nationals who travel to India for treatment at a recognised hospital. It includes the e-Medical visa, the regular medical visa and the medical attendant visa for companions.

Which documents are needed for an India medical visa?
You need a valid passport, a photograph, a hospital letter confirming your treatment and your medical reports. Attendants need their own passport, photo and proof of relationship.

Can I travel to India for surgery on a tourist visa?
No. A tourist visa is not meant for medical treatment. Use a medical visa or e-Medical visa so your stay and treatment are covered.

Can my family come with me?
Yes. Companions apply for a medical attendant visa linked to the patient’s visa. Check the current limit on the number of attendants on the official portal.

How much does the India medical visa cost?
The fee depends on your nationality and the visa type, and it changes over time. Check the official portal or the Indian mission in your country for the current amount.

Do I need a hospital letter to apply?
Yes. The letter from the Indian hospital is a core document and confirms your treatment, doctor and expected duration.

Start your visa the right way

Send your reports to Nobel Medi Assistance. We help match you with a hospital, arrange the hospital letter and guide you through the visa steps for you and your attendant. See our medical visa assistance page, or contact our team to begin.