Patients from eligible countries can apply for an Indian e-Medical Visa online, allowing a continuous stay of up to 60 days with three entries within that period. You'll need a letter from the treating hospital, proof of funds, and a passport valid for at least six months. A family member or caregiver can travel alongside you on a separate e-Medical Attendant Visa.
Validity: 60 days from arrival, with three entries allowed in that period
Key document: a hospital letter confirming your treatment or consultation
Companions: up to two attendants can apply on their own e-Medical Attendant Visas
Good to know: the e-Medical Visa is non-extendable and cannot be converted to another visa type
Do You Need a Medical Visa? e-Medical Visa vs Other Visa Types
If you are travelling to India specifically for treatment or a medical consultation, you need a Medical e-Visa, not a Tourist e-Visa. A tourist visa does not cover treatment, allows fewer entries, and can create problems at immigration if your real purpose is medical. Here is how the medical visa compares with India's other e-Visa types.
Comparison of Indian e-Visa types for medical patients
Visa type
e-Medical Visa
e-Medical Attendant Visa
e-Tourist Visa (30-day)
Who it's for
The patient receiving treatment or consultation
Up to two people accompanying the patient
General tourism, not treatment
Validity
60 days from arrival
60 days from arrival, matching the patient's visa
30 days from arrival
Entries allowed
Three entries within validity
Three entries within validity
Two entries within validity
Key document
Letter from the treating hospital in India
Proof of relationship to the patient, plus the patient's visa details
No hospital letter required
Can it be extended or converted?
No, it's non-extendable and non-convertible
No, it's non-extendable and non-convertible
No, and it does not cover treatment
You likely need a Medical e-Visa if
You are travelling to India mainly for surgery, treatment, or a specialist consultation
You have, or can get, a letter from an Indian hospital confirming your appointment or treatment
Your treatment may need more than one visit, since the visa allows three entries in 60 days
You want a family member, nurse, or caregiver to travel with you, which needs its own Attendant Visa
Only citizens of eligible countries can apply for these e-Visas online; others apply at an Indian embassy or consulate. Check the current eligible-country list on the official visa site before you apply.
Documents You Need and the Hospital Letter
The Medical e-Visa application needs a valid passport, a recent photo, and a letter from the Indian hospital confirming your treatment or consultation. The hospital letter is the document patients most often struggle to arrange on their own, since it has to come directly from the hospital's international patient office.
Documents to prepare
Valid passportAt least six months' validity from your arrival date, with blank pages for stamps.
Digital passport-style photoA recent photo meeting the e-Visa photo requirements.
Hospital letterConfirming your appointment, treatment, or consultation in India.
Medical recordsReports or referral notes that support your reason for travel.
Proof of fundsEvidence you can support your stay, such as a bank statement.
Valid email addressYour e-Visa approval is sent here, so use one you check regularly.
What the hospital letter needs to show
Immigration officials and the visa system look for a letter, usually on the hospital's letterhead, that clearly states why you are travelling to India.
A complete letter typically includes:
Patient's full nameHospital name and addressTreating doctor's nameNature of treatmentAppointment or admission dateHospital contact details
Document requirements can be updated by the visa authorities at any time, so check the official portal for the current list before you apply.
How to Apply for an Indian Medical e-Visa: Step by Step
The Indian Medical e-Visa is applied for entirely online, and most applicants receive a decision within a few working days. Apply at least one to two weeks before you plan to travel, so you have time to fix any issues without delaying your treatment.
1
Confirm your treatment and get a hospital letter
Contact the hospital's international patient department and arrange your appointment or admission date, then request a letter confirming it. You'll need this before you start the application.
2
Start your application on the official portal
Go to the Indian government's e-Visa website and select the Medical e-Visa category. Avoid third-party sites that charge extra fees for the same service.
3
Fill in your personal and passport details
Enter your details exactly as they appear on your passport, and answer the standard security questions. You can save an incomplete application and return to it with your temporary application ID.
~20-30 minutes
4
Upload your documents and photo
Upload your passport bio page, photo, and hospital letter. Some applicants are asked to provide proof of funds or medical records, either at this stage or later if requested.
5
Pay the visa fee
Pay online using a debit or credit card. Keep the payment confirmation with your application details.
6
Wait for approval
Applications are commonly processed within a few working days, though times can vary. If you haven't heard back after 72 hours, you can check the status or contact the visa helpdesk.
Typically a few working days
7
Download and carry your e-Visa
Your approved e-Visa is emailed to you. Print a copy or save it as a PDF, and carry it with your passport when you travel, since airline staff and immigration will ask to see it.
Need help arranging your hospital letter or appointment first? We can coordinate directly with the hospital so your visa application isn't held up.
How Long Can You Stay, and Can Family Come With You?
The Medical e-Visa allows a continuous stay of up to 60 days per entry, with three entries in that period, but it cannot be extended once granted. A family member, nurse, or friend can accompany you on a separate e-Medical Attendant Visa, which runs on the same timeline as yours.
Stay length and extensions
60 days per entry, three entries allowed. You can stay continuously for up to 60 days, or split your visit into up to three trips within that 60-day window, which suits treatment that needs a follow-up visit.
Not extendable or convertible. If your treatment or recovery runs longer than expected, the e-Medical Visa itself cannot be extended, and it cannot be converted into another visa type.
If you think your treatment could run past 60 days, discuss this with your hospital early, so you know your options before you travel.
Bringing a companion
Up to two people can accompany a patient, each applying separately for their own e-Medical Attendant Visa.
Can be a close relative, nurse, friend, or caregiver
Needs the patient's Medical e-Visa details to apply
Same 60-day validity and three-entry allowance as the patient
Applies through the same online e-Visa process, as a separate application
These rules apply to eligible nationalities under India's e-Visa scheme; check the current eligible-country list and confirm details on the official portal before you plan your trip.
Arrival Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most visa problems happen before you even reach the airport, from choosing the wrong visa type to an incomplete hospital letter. Here's what to check on arrival, and the mistakes that most often delay or derail an application.
At the airport and on arrival
Enter through a designated portThe Medical e-Visa is valid for entry only at specific airports and seaports, so confirm your arrival point is on the approved list.
Carry a printed or saved copyKeep your e-Visa as a printed page or downloaded PDF, along with your passport, to show at check-in and immigration.
Have your hospital letter on handImmigration officials may ask to see the same hospital letter you used for your application.
Note your entry stamp dateYour 60-day validity is counted from this date, so keep track of it for your travel and follow-up planning.
Common mistakes that cause delays or refusals
!
Applying for a Tourist visa instead of a Medical visa
A tourist visa doesn't cover treatment and allows fewer entries. Stating tourism as your purpose when you're actually travelling for treatment can cause problems at immigration.
!
Submitting an incomplete or informal hospital letter
A letter missing the hospital's letterhead, the doctor's name, or a clear treatment date is a common reason for extra scrutiny or a request for more documents.
!
Passport details that don't match exactly
Small mismatches between your passport and your application, such as a name spelling or date, can hold up processing.
!
Passport validity too short
Passports need at least six months of validity from your arrival date. A passport close to expiry is a frequent, avoidable rejection reason.
!
Applying too close to the travel date
Leaving the application until the last minute gives no buffer if extra documents are requested. Apply one to two weeks ahead where possible.
!
Using an unofficial visa website
Some third-party sites charge extra fees for the same application. Apply only through the official Indian government e-Visa portal.
If your application is refused or delayed, the notice you receive should explain why. Contact the visa helpdesk or your nearest Indian embassy or consulate for guidance on next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an Indian medical visa take to process?
Processing times vary, but many applicants receive a decision within a few working days. Apply one to two weeks before you plan to travel so there's time to resolve any issues, such as a request for extra documents, without delaying your treatment.
How long is the Indian Medical e-Visa valid for?
The Medical e-Visa is valid for 60 days from your date of arrival, with three entries allowed within that period. It cannot be extended and cannot be converted into another visa type.
Can I extend my Indian medical visa if my treatment takes longer?
No, the e-Medical Visa is non-extendable. If you think your treatment or recovery could run past 60 days, discuss this with your hospital before you travel so you understand your options in advance.
Do I need a letter from the hospital to apply?
Yes. A letter from the treating hospital confirming your appointment, treatment, or consultation is a required document for the Medical e-Visa application, and immigration officials may also ask to see it on arrival.
Can my family member or caregiver travel with me?
Yes. Up to two people, such as a close relative, nurse, or caregiver, can accompany a patient, each applying separately for their own e-Medical Attendant Visa. It runs on the same 60-day validity and three-entry allowance as the patient's visa.
Can I use a tourist visa instead of a medical visa for treatment in India?
This isn't recommended. A tourist visa doesn't cover treatment and allows fewer entries than the Medical e-Visa. If your real purpose of travel is medical treatment, apply for the Medical e-Visa instead.
Who is eligible for the Indian e-Medical Visa?
Citizens of eligible countries can apply for the Medical e-Visa online through the official portal. Applicants from other countries typically apply through an Indian embassy or consulate. The eligible-country list can change, so check it on the official visa site before you apply.
What happens if my visa application is refused?
The notice you receive should explain the reason. Common causes include an incomplete hospital letter, a passport with too little remaining validity, or mismatched application details. Contact the visa helpdesk or your nearest Indian embassy or consulate for guidance before you reapply.
Updated September 2026
