Confirm the correct visa route
Eligibility depends on passport nationality, not only the country where you live. Check whether e-Medical is available or a regular medical visa is required.
India medical travel documents · reviewed August 2026
India Medical Visa Guide for International Patients
Understand the application route, hospital letter, attendant documents and arrival checks before travelling to India for planned treatment. Visa rules can change, so use this page as a preparation guide and verify the final requirement on the official portal.
Official portalAvoid lookalike visa websites
Passport matchedEvery document uses identical details
Approval firstDo not treat submission as permission
Rules recheckedConfirm again before booking
Step by step
From hospital letter to arrival01 02 03 04 05 06
Six Steps for Planning an India Medical Visa
Start the visa discussion after a hospital has reviewed the case and indicated the treatment or consultation it can provide.
Obtain the hospital letter
The Indian hospital letter should use the patient’s passport details and state the proposed treatment or admission date required by the visa route.
Prepare the application
Use only the official Indian Visa Online portal or the responsible Indian mission. Upload clear files and keep every spelling and passport number consistent.
Wait for approval before booking
An application acknowledgement is not a visa. Check that the granted visa or ETA is valid for the intended journey before purchasing non-refundable travel.
Complete arrival requirements
Follow the latest immigration instructions, including the electronic arrival card where applicable, and use an authorised entry point for the visa held.
Travel with the full file
Carry the passport, approval, hospital letter, appointment details, recent medical summary, accommodation address and return or onward travel evidence.
No emergency or express e-Visa fee is authorised by the Government of India. Be cautious if a third-party website promises guaranteed approval or an unofficial fast-track payment.
Documents
Prepare clear and consistent files
Medical Visa Document Checklist
The exact requirement varies by nationality and visa route. This checklist covers the documents and information commonly needed for planning.
✓
Passport bio page with sufficient remaining validity and blank pages
01✓
Recent front-facing photograph that meets the portal specification
02✓
Hospital letter on official letterhead with the patient’s passport details
03✓
Proposed treatment or admission date and hospital contact details
04✓
Visa or ETA approval printed or saved for travel
05✓
Attendant application and relationship information where applicable
06✓
Accommodation address and return or onward travel details
07✓
Medical summary and important prescriptions for the journey
08For an e-Medical application, the official portal says the hospital letter should include the tentative treatment or admission date plus the patient’s name, nationality and passport number. Check the current upload specification before submitting.
Patient and attendant
Separate applications, connected journey
Medical Visa vs Medical Attendant Visa
Medical visa
The patient applies using the appropriate route for their passport nationality and the hospital’s treatment letter. The approved document must be checked for validity, entries and conditions before travel.
Medical attendant visa
Eligible e-Medical patients may have up to two e-Medical Attendant Visas linked to one patient visa according to the official portal. Each traveller needs a separate passport and application.
Do not assume that an attendant can enter on the patient’s approval. Confirm the companion’s visa category and documents separately.
Eight guides
Start with nationality, then residence01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
Medical Visa Planning for Eight Patient Groups
These notes identify the first check to make. They are not a visa decision. The Indian government or responsible mission determines eligibility and approval.
Bangladesh
Check current e-Medical eligibilityConfirm the permitted arrival point and travel route before booking. Passport details must match the hospital letter exactly.
Oman
Check e-Medical eligibility by nationalityOman residence does not determine eligibility for non-Omani passport holders. Use the passport nationality shown in the application.
Uzbekistan
Check current e-Medical eligibilityKeep the English spelling of the name consistent across passport, hospital letter, application and flight booking.
Russia
Check current e-Medical eligibilityUse an English hospital letter and confirm that translated medical records identify the same patient and diagnosis.
Iraq
Regular medical visa may be requiredIraq is not shown in the current e-Visa nationality list reviewed for this page. Confirm the latest route with the responsible Indian mission.
Yemen
Regular medical visa may be requiredConfirm the responsible Indian mission and current submission arrangement before paying an agent or arranging travel.
Afghanistan
Use the official New AFGHAN portalThe Indian Visa Online service currently directs Afghan nationals to its separate official application portal.
UAE residents
Eligibility follows passport nationalityA UAE residence visa does not by itself determine the Indian medical visa route. Check the nationality printed in the passport.
Official sources checked: India e-Visa portal ↗ · India Visa Online ↗ · e-FRRO portal ↗. Last reviewed 17 August 2026.
Avoid mistakes
Before pressing submitFull name Passport number Nationality Treatment and hospital Travel dates Entry point
Application Details That Must Match
Use the passport spelling and order consistently. Do not introduce a nickname or a different transliteration.
Check every digit on the application, hospital letter, attendant record and travel booking.
Select the nationality shown in the passport, not merely the country of residence.
The application and letter should identify the accepted medical purpose and Indian hospital accurately.
Keep the proposed arrival within the permission granted and reconfirm the hospital appointment.
Use an airport, seaport or immigration checkpost permitted for the visa or ETA held.
Questions
India medical visa planning
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers summarise official-source planning information reviewed on 17 August 2026. Always check the live government portal before applying or travelling.
Do all international patients use an e-Medical Visa?
No. The available route depends on passport nationality and current Indian rules. Some travellers can apply through the e-Visa system, while others must use the regular visa process through the responsible Indian mission.
What should the hospital letter contain?
For the e-Medical route, the official portal states that the letter should be on the Indian hospital’s letterhead and include the tentative treatment or admission date plus the patient’s name, nationality and passport number.
How early can I submit an e-Medical application?
The official portal currently says eligible e-Medical and e-Medical Attendant applicants may apply at least four days before arrival and within a 120-day application window. Check the live portal before relying on these timings.
How many attendants can travel with an e-Medical patient?
The official e-Visa portal states that up to two e-Medical Attendant Visas may be granted against one e-Medical Visa. Each attendant applies separately and must receive approval.
Can I book flights after submitting the form?
Submission is not approval. Wait until the visa or ETA is granted and check its dates, entries, passport details and conditions before buying non-refundable travel.
Does TIB HIND issue or guarantee the visa?
No. TIB HIND can coordinate hospital review and a hospital letter where appropriate. The Government of India or responsible mission decides every visa application.
What if my treatment is postponed?
Contact the hospital and check whether the letter, appointment and granted visa still match the revised plan. The correct action depends on the visa conditions and new travel date.
Can the patient and attendant use one passport or application?
No. Every traveller requires a separate passport and visa or travel authorisation appropriate to their role.
Is an e-Arrival card the same as a visa?
No. The official portal describes the e-Arrival card as arrival information, not permission to enter. Complete it where required in addition to holding the correct visa or ETA.
Where should I apply?
Use the official Indian Visa Online or e-Visa portal, or the Indian mission responsible for the passport holder’s application. Avoid websites that imitate government branding or promise guaranteed approval.