How early should I apply?

Apply 2-4 weeks before your intended travel date.

Can I visit tourist places on medical visa?

Limited tourism is allowed, but primary purpose must be medical treatment.

What if my treatment finishes early?

You can leave India before visa expires. Early departure doesn't affect future applications.

Can my attendant work in India?

No, attendant visas do not permit employment.

Is travel insurance mandatory?

While not always mandatory, it's highly recommended.

India Medical Visa Guide for Tourists 2026

TL;DR: India's Medical Visa (M-Visa) allows treatment at recognised hospitals for up to 60 days, with triple entry and extension available. Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in with a hospital letter, bank statement, and passport photo. Processing takes 3–7 working days. Fee: $25–30 for most African applicants. Your attending companion qualifies for a Medical Attendant Visa (MX-Visa) simultaneously.

Planning to travel to India for medical treatment? Understanding the visa requirements and application process prevents delays and ensures you arrive with the correct documentation. This guide covers the M-Visa process for African patients, what documents you need, and what to do if something goes wrong.

What Type of Visa Do Medical Patients Need?

Medical Visa (M-Visa) vs Tourist Visa

India has a specific visa category for medical travel — the e-Medical Visa (M-Visa). This is separate from the tourist e-Visa and is what you need if you are traveling for treatment. Using a tourist visa for medical treatment is a visa condition violation that creates problems at Indian immigration — do not do it.

Fewer than 40 Indian hospitals hold JCI accreditation (JCI, 2025), and the M-Visa specifically allows inpatient treatment at registered hospitals for up to 60 days. The tourist visa does not.

Medical e-Visa (M-Visa):

Valid for 60 days with up to three entries
Explicitly permits inpatient treatment at registered Indian hospitals
Processed with the understanding that an extended stay may be needed
Companion visa (MX-Visa) available for up to two family members

Tourist e-Visa:

Not intended for medical treatment
Can create problems at immigration if your medical purpose becomes apparent
Cannot be converted to an M-Visa inside India

Apply for the correct category from the start.

Medical Attendant Visa (MX-Visa)

For family members or companions accompanying the patient. Valid for the same duration as the patient's M-Visa. Maximum two attendants per patient. Applicants must provide proof of relationship with the patient and a copy of the patient's M-Visa approval.

What Documents Do You Need?

Essential Documents for the M-Visa Application

Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned return date, with at least 2 blank pages for stamps.
Passport Photo: 4×6 cm, white background, face clearly visible, taken within 6 months. No glasses (ICAO 2023 guidelines). Photo studios in any major African city charge the equivalent of $2–5.
Hospital Appointment Letter (most important document): An official letter from your chosen Indian hospital confirming your full name (matching your passport exactly), passport number, medical condition, scheduled treatment date, and hospital registration details. Apollo, Max, Fortis, and Medanta all issue this within 24–48 hours of booking confirmation.
Financial Documentation: Bank statements from the last 3 months showing sufficient funds — typically $5,000–10,000 USD equivalent. This is proof of financial ability, not a transaction limit.
Medical Records: Not mandatory, but including your doctor's referral letter and recent test results significantly strengthens your application and speeds processing.

Documents for MX-Visa Companions

Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
Copy of patient's M-Visa approval (or submitted simultaneously)
Letter from Indian hospital confirming the need for an attendant

How Do You Apply? Step-by-Step

Step 1: Go to the Official Portal

indianvisaonline.gov.in — this is the only official government portal. Multiple third-party sites charge extra fees for the same service. Always verify the URL before entering any information or payment details.

Step 2: Create Your Account

Step 3: Fill In the Application Form

Select "e-Visa" then "e-Medical Visa" as the category.

Complete each section accurately:

Personal Information: Enter your full name exactly as it appears in your passport. Any discrepancy is grounds for rejection.
Passport Details: Passport number, issue date, expiry date, place of issue.
Travel Information: Expected arrival date, port of arrival (select the city where your hospital is located), duration of stay (enter 45–60 days), purpose of visit: select "Medical Treatment."
Accommodation Details: Enter the name and address of your Indian hospital or recovery hotel.

Step 4: Upload Documents

Upload clear, legible scans of:

Passport bio-data page (JPG or PDF, max 1 MB)
Passport photo (JPG, max 500 KB)
Hospital appointment letter (PDF or JPG, max 1 MB)
Medical records/referral letter (strongly recommended)

Use CamScanner (free mobile app) or a flatbed scanner. Documents photographed at an angle or in poor lighting are frequently rejected.

Step 5: Review Everything Before Paying

Before submitting:

Is your name spelled exactly as in your passport?
Is your passport number correct?
Is the hospital appointment letter uploaded and legible?
Is the purpose of visit set to "Medical Treatment"?

You cannot amend a submitted application.

Step 6: Pay the Fee and Submit

The M-Visa fee for most African applicants is $25–30 USD. Accepted payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, and international debit cards. Save your Application Reference Number.

What Happens After You Submit?

Processing typically takes 3–7 working days for African applicants. Many applications are approved within 24–48 hours when documents are complete and legible.

Check your status at indianvisaonline.gov.in → "Check Visa Status" → enter your Application Reference Number.

When approved, you receive an email with your e-Visa approval document as a PDF. Print it in colour, keep a copy on your phone, and email a backup to yourself and a trusted family member. This approval email is your visa. Immigration stamps your passport on arrival in India.

Common Reasons for Rejection — and Fixes

Hospital appointment letter missing or inadequate: The letter must explicitly state your medical condition and treatment date. If it says only "general checkup," request a more specific letter.
Name mismatch: Even minor spelling differences between your application and passport cause rejection. Double-check every character.
Passport validity too short: If your passport expires within 6 months of your travel date, renew it first.
Document not legible: The photo or letter may not have scanned clearly. Check file clarity before submitting.

If rejected, the rejection email explains the specific reason. Fix that issue and reapply. There is no penalty for reapplication, and reapplied applications process at normal speed.

Visa Extension: If You Need More Time

The 60-day M-Visa covers most treatment and recovery periods. If treatment extends beyond 60 days due to complications, additional surgery, or extended chemotherapy, your Indian hospital's international patient department can request an extension through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

Extensions are routinely granted for genuine medical cases with supporting hospital documentation. Apply at least 10 days before your visa expires. The process takes 7–10 business days.

Cost: Approximately INR 1,500–2,000 (roughly $18–25).

Important Regulations for Medical Visa Holders

Cannot take up employment in India
Must inform FRRO of address changes if staying beyond 180 days
Should carry medical documents while traveling within India
Medical visas cannot be converted to other visa types

Medical Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Know for India