visa validity from arrival
allowed within validity
apply via the official portal
generally allowed per patient
What the India e-Medical Visa is
If you are travelling to India for hospital treatment, the visa most patients start with is the e-Medical Visa. You apply online, with no embassy visit for most eligible nationalities, and it is issued for medical treatment only, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine.
Validity
Counted from your date of arrival in India, not the date of approval.
Triple entry
You can leave and return within the validity period, useful for staged treatment.
Core document
An official letter from an Indian hospital confirming your treatment is central to the application.
Always confirm on the official portal. Visa rules, fees and the list of eligible countries are set by the Government of India and can change. Apply only through indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa, and be careful with look-alike websites that charge extra.
Which visa does each traveller need?
The patient and anyone travelling with them hold different visas, and the companion cannot apply until the patient has been approved.
| Visa | Who it is for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| e-Medical Visa | The patient | Needs a hospital letter. 60-day validity, triple entry. |
| e-Medical Attendant Visa | Family member or companion of an e-Medical Visa patient | Linked to the patient’s visa. Up to two attendants are generally allowed. Details must match the patient’s. |
| Regular Medical Visa | Patients whose nationality is not on the e-Visa list, or whose treatment needs more time | Applied for through an Indian mission. Your hospital or NajmCare can advise which route fits. |
Documents checklist
Gather these before you open the application form. Tick them off as you go.
Step-by-step: from letter to landing
- Get hospital confirmationShare your reports with NajmCare. We coordinate with the hospital so you receive an official letter naming your treatment.
- Apply onlineComplete the e-Medical Visa form on the official portal and upload your photo, passport page and hospital letter. Apply well before you plan to fly.
- Pay and wait for your ETAPay the fee online. The Electronic Travel Authorisation is sent to your email once approved. Avoid non-refundable flights until it arrives.
- Attendants apply nextOnce the patient’s visa is approved, each companion applies for the e-Medical Attendant Visa using the patient’s visa details.
- Fill the e-Arrival cardComplete it online within 72 hours before you arrive in India.
- Land at a designated airportCarry a printed ETA, your passport and your hospital letter. Immigration will check them on arrival.
What a strong hospital letter says
A vague letter is one of the most common causes of delay. Ask the hospital to include:
- Your full name and passport number exactly as written in your passport
- Your diagnosis or the treatment planned, and the name of the treating doctor
- The hospital’s name, address and contact details on official letterhead
- The expected treatment or follow-up period, so your stay is planned realistically
Mistakes that delay approval
Name or passport mismatch
Even a missing middle name between letter and passport can trigger questions.
Poor photo or scan
Blurry, cropped or wrongly sized uploads are returned for correction.
Attendant applies too early
The companion’s form needs the patient’s approved visa details.
Booking flights first
Fixed dates before approval can cost you if processing takes longer than planned.
After you land: registration and extensions
Keep your passport, ETA and hospital documents together throughout your stay. Visa matters inside India, such as registration or extensions, are handled by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and are subject to approval. If your doctor expects treatment to run past 60 days, tell us early so the right visa route is planned from the start rather than fixed at the last minute.
Frequently asked questions
How long does approval take?
Processing times vary by season and application. Apply well in advance, and check the official portal for the current guidance rather than relying on a fixed number of days.
Can I use a medical visa for sightseeing?
The e-Medical Visa is granted for medical treatment. Check the portal for exactly which activities are permitted before planning anything beyond treatment.
How many attendants can come with me?
Generally up to two attendants can hold the e-Medical Attendant Visa, linked to your visa. Confirm the current limit on the official portal.
Do I need to print anything?
Yes. Carry a printed copy of your ETA, your hospital letter and your reports, in addition to digital copies.
Can NajmCare help with the visa?
We arrange the hospital letter, check your documents against the checklist and guide you through each step. You apply directly on the official government portal.
Need help with your visa documents?
Send your reports and we will arrange the hospital letter and walk you through each step.
Keep reading
This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Visa rules, fees and eligibility change; always confirm current requirements on indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa before you apply.