India has emerged as the “Pharmacy of the World” and a premier destination for specialized medical care. From complex cardiac surgeries and oncology treatments to organ transplants and holistic Ayurvedic therapies, India offers world-class expertise at a fraction of the cost found in the West.
For patients traveling from Africa, the Middle East, CIS countries, and beyond, the priority is health. The last thing a patient or their family needs is administrative stress.
The Government of India facilitates this travel through the e-Medical Visa. It is a fast-track digital permission designed specifically for those seeking medical treatment. However, it requires specific coordination between the patient, the Indian hospital, and the immigration authorities.
At DU Global, we specialize in this sensitive vertical. We understand that in medical cases, time is often critical. This guide explains how to secure your medical entry permit smoothly.
The e-Medical Visa: Eligibility and Rules
Who is it for? It is for patients seeking medical treatment in recognized/specialized hospitals or treatment centers in India.
- Note: It is NOT for casual spa visits. It must be for legitimate medical or therapeutic treatment.
Key Features:
- Validity: 60 Days from the date of arrival.
- Entry: Triple Entry. This allows you to enter, leave (perhaps for a break or to sort funds), and re-enter within the validity period.
- Frequency: You can avail of this visa up to 3 times in a calendar year.
The Critical Document: The Hospital Letter
The success of this visa hinges on one document: The Letter from the Hospital Concerned in India. You cannot apply with just a doctor’s email.
- Letterhead: It must be on the official letterhead of the hospital.
- Specifics: It must state the patient’s name, passport number, the specific ailment/diagnosis, and a rough duration of treatment.
- Signature: It must be signed and stamped by the hospital administration.
The Medical Attendant Visa: For the Caregiver
Patients rarely travel alone. India recognizes the need for support.
- The e-Medical Attendant Visa: This is for family members accompanying the patient.
- Limit: Up to two attendants can be granted visas per patient.
- Linkage: The Attendant visa is co-terminous with the Patient visa. If the patient’s visa expires or is cancelled, the attendant’s visa is also invalid. They must travel with or after the patient, not before.
Applying for the Visa
Step 1: The Online Form You select “e-Medical Visa.”
- Photo: White background, square JPEG.
- Passport: PDF scan of the bio page.
- Letter: PDF scan of the hospital letter.
Step 2: Processing Processing is usually fast (48-72 hours).
- Emergency Cases: In life-threatening emergencies, the Medical Visa is prioritized by Indian authorities. DU Global monitors these urgent applications closely.
Post-Arrival: Extending the Stay
Medical treatments are unpredictable. What if the 60 days run out and the patient is still in ICU or recovery?
- FRRO Registration: If the stay exceeds the visa duration due to medical necessity, you must register with the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office).
- Extension: With a fresh letter from the hospital explaining the need for continued care, the FRRO can extend the visa (converted to a regular Medical Visa) for up to one year. We assist clients with this complex in-country bureaucratic step.
Common Rejections
- Vague Letters: “Mr. Smith is coming for a checkup” is often rejected. It needs to be “Mr. Smith requires cardiac bypass surgery.”
- Bad Scans: If the hospital letter is blurry or cut off, the system rejects it.
- Category Mismatch: Applying for a Tourist Visa for a major surgery is risky. If immigration asks at the airport and you say “Surgery,” you may be denied entry for holding the wrong visa.
Why DU Global?
We bring empathy to the process.
- Urgency: We prioritize medical files above all others.
- Coordination: We ensure the attendant’s application is perfectly linked to the patient’s application to avoid one being approved and the other delayed.
- End-to-End: From the initial application to FRRO extensions, we are your partners in health mobility.
Focus on your recovery. We will handle the entry.
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