What Is an Indian e-Medical Visa?
The e-Medical Visa (e-TV Medical) is an electronic travel authorization issued by the Government of India exclusively for foreign nationals seeking medical treatment at recognized Indian hospitals. Unlike traditional paper visas, the e-Medical Visa is applied for entirely online via the official portal — indianvisaonline.gov.in — and the approved Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is delivered directly to your email inbox.
Visa rules, eligibility, fees, validity and processing times vary by nationality and may change. Always verify current requirements on the official Government of India e-Visa portal.
Who Is Eligible for an e-Medical Visa?
Visa rules, eligibility, fees, validity and processing times vary by nationality and may change. Always verify current requirements on the official Government of India e-Visa portal.
Eligibility Requirements
Valid Passport
Passport must have at least 6 months' validity from the date of arrival in India and at least 2 blank pages for immigration stamps.
Medical Purpose
Travel purpose must be for medical treatment at a recognized Indian hospital. Supported by an official hospital invitation letter detailing the treatment plan.
Payment Capability
International debit/credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) or PayPal required for government fee payment on the e-Visa portal.
Popular Eligible Countries
* Visa rules, eligibility, fees, validity and processing times vary by nationality and may change. Always verify current requirements on the official Government of India e-Visa portal.
Types of Medical Visas for India
India offers three distinct medical visa categories depending on your situation. Understanding which visa applies to you ensures a smooth application and the correct documentation.
e-Medical Visa (e-TV)
For patients seeking treatment. Valid for 60 days with triple entry. Applied online. Granted up to 3 times per year. Best for surgeries, diagnostic workups, IVF cycles, and short-duration treatments.
e-Medical Attendant Visa
For family members or caregivers accompanying the patient. Same 60-day validity. Up to 2 attendants per patient. Must reference the patient's e-Medical Visa application ID.
Regular Medical Visa (M-Visa)
Traditional sticker visa through Indian embassies. Valid for up to 1 year with multiple entries. Required for long-duration treatments like organ transplants, bone marrow transplants, or extended oncology protocols.
Complete Document Checklist
Preparing your documents correctly the first time is critical — 90% of visa rejections stem from incorrect document formatting (wrong photo dimensions, expired passports, missing hospital letters). Below is the complete, verified checklist.
- Passport Bio-Page Scan: Color PDF or JPEG. Minimum 6-month validity. File size 10 KB to 300 KB.
- Passport-Size Photo: Recent (within last 6 months). White background. Square format (min 350×350 px). JPEG format, 10–1 MB.
- Hospital Visa Invitation Letter: Official letter on hospital letterhead signed by treating surgeon & international patient desk head. Must mention: patient name, passport number, diagnosis, proposed treatment, estimated admission date.
- Medical Records Summary: 1–3 page clinical diagnosis summary, latest diagnostic reports (MRI, CT, blood work, biopsy), or referral letter from home-country physician.
- Return Flight Booking: Confirmed or tentative return ticket (some nationalities require this). Not mandatory for all countries.
- Proof of Funds: Bank statement or credit card statement showing ability to cover treatment costs (recommended but not always mandatory).
- Attendant Passport Bio-Page: Color scan in PDF/JPEG. Same 6-month validity rule as patient.
- Attendant Photograph: White background, JPEG format, 350×350 px minimum. Recent within 6 months.
- Patient's Visa Application ID: The primary patient's e-Medical Visa application reference number (begins with "VAXXXXXXXXXX").
- Relationship Declaration: Self-declaration or documentary proof of relationship — marriage certificate, birth certificate, or family ID card (if specifically requested during processing).
- Accommodation Details: Hotel booking confirmation or recovery stay address in India (Vantis Health provides this for all patients).
Hospital Visa Invitation Letter
The Hospital Visa Invitation Letter is the most important document in your e-Medical Visa application. It is an official letter issued by a recognized Indian hospital confirming that you have been accepted as a patient for a specific treatment. Without this letter, your application will be rejected.
What the Letter Must Contain
- Printed on official hospital letterhead with registration number
- Patient's full name exactly as it appears on the passport
- Passport number and nationality of the patient
- Clinical diagnosis and proposed treatment plan (e.g., "Total Knee Replacement — Right Knee")
- Name and credentials of the treating surgeon/physician
- Estimated admission date and length of hospital stay
- Estimated treatment cost in INR/USD
- Signed and stamped by the International Patient Services head and the treating doctor
Vantis Health 12–24 Hour SLA
Once we receive your medical records and passport scan, our hospital liaison team coordinates directly with the International Patient Services desk at Fortis, Medanta, Manipal, or Max Healthcare to issue the official Visa Invitation Letter within 12 to 24 hours. Standard turnaround without a facilitator is typically 5–7 business days.
Step-by-Step Application Workflow
Follow this exact sequence to complete your e-Medical Visa application smoothly. Vantis Health patients receive hands-on guidance at each step.
Submit Medical Records to Vantis Health
⏱ Day 0Send your clinical summary, diagnostic scans (MRI, CT, X-ray), lab reports, and a colour passport scan to hello@vantishealth.org or via our secure WhatsApp concierge line. Our medical coordinators triage your case within 4 hours.
Receive Treatment Plan & Cost Estimate
⏱ 12–24 HoursAfter your records are reviewed by the specialist surgical team at the partner hospital, you'll receive a confirmed diagnosis opinion, a detailed treatment plan, and an all-inclusive cost estimate in your preferred currency.
Obtain Official Hospital Invitation Letter
⏱ 12–24 HoursUpon your treatment approval, Vantis Health's hospital liaison team coordinates with the International Patient Services desk to issue the official, stamped Visa Invitation Letter on hospital letterhead. This letter is digitally delivered to you within 12 to 24 hours.
Complete the Online e-Visa Application
⏱ 30–45 MinutesVisit the official Indian e-Visa portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Select "e-Medical Visa" as your visa type. Fill out the application form with personal details, travel history, and medical treatment information. Upload your passport scan, photograph, and hospital invitation letter.
Pay Government Processing Fee
⏱ 5 MinutesPay the government visa fee online using an international debit/credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or UnionPay) or PayPal. The fee ranges from $25 to $100 USD depending on your nationality. A payment confirmation receipt is emailed immediately.
Receive Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
⏱ 24–72 HoursYour approved Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) letter is delivered to the email address registered during application. The ETA contains your visa reference number, validity period, port of entry, and entry conditions. Print 2 copies of the ETA for your travel.
Fly to India & VIP Airport Reception
⏱ Travel DayArrive at any of India's 28 designated e-Visa airports. Present your printed ETA, passport, and hospital letter at the dedicated e-Visa immigration counter. The immigration officer stamps your medical visa and verifies biometrics. Vantis Health's airport representative greets you landside with a name placard and escorts you to your private transfer vehicle.
Government Visa Fees & Processing Times
Visa rules, eligibility, fees, validity and processing times vary by nationality and may change. Always verify current requirements on the official Government of India e-Visa portal.
| Nationality / Region | e-Medical Visa Fee | Attendant Visa Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | $100 USD | $100 USD | 24–72 hours |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $80 USD | $80 USD | 24–72 hours |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $80 USD | $80 USD | 24–72 hours |
| 🇦🇪 UAE / GCC Countries | $25 USD | $25 USD | 24–72 hours |
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | $80 USD | $80 USD | 24–72 hours |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya / East Africa | $25 USD | $25 USD | 24–72 hours |
| 🇩🇪 EU / Schengen Zone | $80 USD | $80 USD | 24–72 hours |
| 🇦🇺 Australia / NZ | $80 USD | $80 USD | 24–72 hours |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh / SAARC | $25 USD | $25 USD | 24–72 hours |
* An additional 2.5% bank transaction surcharge may be applied by your card issuer. Vantis Health does not charge any additional fees for visa facilitation — our concierge service is included in the treatment package.
Designated e-Visa Entry Airports & Seaports
India currently allows e-Visa holders to enter through 28 designated international airports and 5 seaports. All major medical tourism gateway cities are included. Exit is permitted from any authorized immigration checkpoint.
Key Medical Tourism Gateway Airports
Other e-Visa entry airports include Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Gaya, Goa (Dabolim & Mopa), Guwahati, Jaipur, Kannur, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Tiruchirappalli, Trivandrum, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam.
On-Arrival Airport Procedures
Here's exactly what happens when you land in India with your approved e-Medical Visa ETA.
Proceed to e-Visa Counter
Follow signs to the "e-Visa / ETA" immigration counter (separate from regular visa lines). These counters are specifically staffed for electronic visa holders and typically have shorter wait times.
Biometric Capture
Present your passport and printed ETA letter. The officer will capture your fingerprints and photograph. Keep your hospital invitation letter ready — officers may ask to verify your medical purpose.
Visa Stamp & Entry
Once cleared, a Medical Visa stamp is placed in your passport with the date of entry and validity period. Proceed to luggage collection. Vantis Health's airport coordinator will be waiting in the arrivals hall with a name placard.
e-Medical Attendant Visa (Companion Visa)
Family members or caregivers traveling with you can apply for an e-Medical Attendant Visa. India permits up to 2 attendant visas per patient.
- Maximum 2 attendants are permitted per patient per visit.
- The attendant visa has the same 60-day validity and triple-entry conditions as the patient's e-Medical Visa.
- Attendant must apply after the patient's e-Medical Visa application has been submitted (application reference number is required).
- Attendant must travel on the same flight or within the same visa validity window as the patient.
- Attendant cannot work or engage in business activities while on a Medical Attendant Visa.
- If a third companion is needed (e.g., for paediatric patients requiring both parents and a nurse), a regular Tourist Visa can be obtained separately.
Visa Extension & FRRO Registration
If your treatment or recovery extends beyond the initial 60-day visa validity, Indian immigration allows visa extensions through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
- Post-operative recovery exceeding 60 days (e.g., complex spine fusion, bilateral knee replacement)
- Multi-cycle chemotherapy or radiation protocols spanning 2–6 months
- Organ transplant monitoring and anti-rejection medication calibration
- Bone marrow transplant isolation and immune recovery period
- IVF treatment requiring multiple embryo transfer cycles
- Medical Extension Certificate: Issued by the treating surgeon/physician confirming ongoing treatment necessity
- Hospital Progress Report: Detailed clinical status report from the hospital's International Patient Services
- Passport & Current Visa: Original passport with the e-Medical Visa stamp
- Online FRRO Application: Filed via indianfrro.gov.in with supporting documents
- Extension may be granted for up to 1 year for legitimate long-duration treatments
Vantis Health handles all FRRO paperwork on your behalf, including obtaining the medical extension certificate from the hospital, filing the online application, scheduling the FRRO appointment (if required), and ensuring compliance with Indian immigration rules. You focus on your recovery — we handle the bureaucracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is typically approved and emailed within 24 to 72 hours of submitting the complete application with payment. In urgent medical cases, approvals have been granted within 24 hours. We recommend applying at least 7 days before travel to allow buffer time.
Yes. India allows up to 3 e-Medical Visas per calendar year. Each visa is valid for 60 days from the date of first entry. If you need additional visits for follow-up treatments, you can apply again.
Rejections are rare with proper documentation (our patients maintain a 99.2% first-attempt success rate). Common rejection reasons include: incorrect photo specifications, expired passport, or missing hospital invitation letter. If rejected, you can re-apply immediately with corrected documents. Alternatively, you can apply for a traditional Medical Visa (M-Visa) through the Indian embassy in your country.
Yes. While the primary purpose must be medical treatment, you are free to travel within India during your visa validity. Many patients visit local attractions during their recovery period. However, you cannot engage in employment or business activities.
Travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement for the e-Medical Visa application. However, we strongly recommend purchasing international medical travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and third-party liability. Vantis Health can recommend insurance providers who specialize in medical tourism coverage.
The e-Medical Visa allows triple entry — you can enter India up to 3 times within the 60-day validity period. This is useful for patients who may need to visit a neighbouring country briefly (e.g., for a transit connection or a short trip) and return to India for follow-up consultations or post-operative care.
The e-Medical Visa lists a primary treating hospital. If you require consultations or procedures at a second hospital, this is permissible during your visa validity. Vantis Health can coordinate multi-hospital treatment plans and issue updated hospital letters if needed for FRRO or immigration purposes.
In general, visa conversion within India is not permitted. If you enter on a tourist visa and require medical treatment, you would need to exit India and re-apply for an e-Medical Visa from outside the country. In rare emergency situations, the FRRO may grant special permissions — Vantis Health can advise on such cases.
Ready to Start Your Medical Visa Application?
Submit your medical records and passport scan today. Our visa concierge team will issue your official hospital invitation letter within 12–24 hours and guide you through the entire e-Visa application process.