Medical Visa for India: a Clear Guide for Patients and Families

When a diagnosis points you towards treatment in India, the visa should be the simplest part of the journey. It usually is — if the hospital letter is right and the dates are planned. This guide explains the e-Medical visa in plain words, using what India's official e-Visa portal says today.

Which Visa Do You Need?

• e-Medical visa — for the patientFor treatment at a recognised hospital in India. It needs a letter from that hospital.
• e-Medical Attendant visa — for familyUp to two attendant visas can be granted against one e-Medical visa, so two relatives can come with the patient.
• e-Ayush visa — for traditional medicineFor Ayurveda, yoga and other AYUSH treatment, with the same documents as the medical visa. See Ayurveda alongside modern medicine.

The e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible according to the portal's general instructions, so plan your dates around the treatment plan your specialist gives you. If you already hold an OCI card, you may not need a visa at all — but your relatives might.

The Hospital Letter Matters Most

The portal asks for a letter on the hospital's letterhead that shows the patient's name, nationality and passport number, and the tentative date of admission or treatment. A clear, correct letter is the single best way to avoid delays.

That is why the order matters: first a specialist video consultation reviews your reports; then you agree on a hospital and a written estimate; only then does the hospital issue the letter. We check the letter against your passport before you apply.

Step by Step

1. Gather your documents. A passport-style photo, the scanned bio page of your passport, and the hospital letter. Attendants need their own passport scans.
2. Apply on the official portal. Choose the e-Medical visa, spell your name exactly as in your passport, and keep your application ID.
3. Pay the fee in time. Fees vary by country, a bank charge applies, and the portal says the fee must be paid at least four days before your expected travel date. Fees are not refundable.
4. Apply at the right time. You can apply at least 4 days before arrival, within a window of 120 days.
5. Fly into a designated airport. e-Visa holders must arrive through designated airports or seaports. Chandigarh is on the list, as are Delhi and the other major international airports.

Mistakes That Cause Delays

A Realistic Timeline

• Week 1Send reports; specialist video consultation.
• Week 2Hospital and written estimate agreed; hospital letter issued.
• Week 2–3Visa applications for the patient and up to two attendants.
• Week 3–4Flights, stay, airport pickup and your coordinator's introduction.

Urgent cases move faster. If someone is critically ill, read our guide to air ambulance and critical-care transfers and contact us on WhatsApp straight away.