Country guide · North America
Canadian citizens are eligible for India’s e-Visa and can apply online for an e-Medical visa, with up to two attendants on e-Medical Attendant visas. The High Commission of India in Ottawa says regular visas go through BLS International application centres and take longer on average than e-Visas, which the High Commission does not process.
| Country | Canada |
| Indian e-Visa (e-Medical) | Eligible per the official e-Visa list — check on the day you apply |
| IndiaMedica edition | English |
Which visa route suits Canadian patients?
Canada appears on India’s official e-Visa eligible list, and the High Commission of India in Ottawa confirms that Canadian citizens can use the e-Visa. Most patients apply online for the e-Medical visa with a letter from the Indian hospital showing the suggested admission date.
How does the e-Visa compare with a regular visa from Canada?
The Ottawa High Commission compares the two routes on its e-Visa page.
- e-Visa: applied for online, on average about four days, handled by the e-Visa system, not the High Commission.
- Regular visa: applied for through visa application centres run by BLS International Services Canada, then processed by the High Commission, on average about seven working days.
- e-Visa questions go to the e-Visa help desk, not the High Commission.
- Emergency visas are available only to Persons of Indian Origin, at the High Commission’s discretion.
Use the official site
The High Commission warns against agents or websites that promise faster processing for a fee and against fake e-Visa URLs. Apply only on the government portal.
What does a Canadian applicant need?
A passport valid six months at application with two blank pages, a white-background photograph and a PDF of the passport details page. Apply at least four days before arrival and within 120 days. The portal asks travellers of Pakistani origin to apply for a regular visa.
Which records should Canadian patients gather?
Request copies from your family doctor, specialists and imaging clinics. Include recent consultation notes, dated test results, imaging reports with full image files, pathology reports and your medicines list.
Which language edition suits Canadian patients?
IndiaMedica’s English edition is the reference edition. A French edition is also available for francophone readers, though Indian hospital records are in English.
Where can Canadian e-Visa holders land?
Designated airports on the portal include Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
What practical points matter?
India prohibits narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances without authority, so carry prescriptions and check controlled medicines with the hospital. Declare foreign currency above prescribed limits. Ask your provincial plan and insurer what they cover abroad.
How does IndiaMedica help Canadian patients?
We review records free, request opinions and estimates from accredited hospitals and help you obtain the admission letter. Partner hospitals pay a disclosed referral fee that never changes your price.
Questions people ask
Can the High Commission in Ottawa help with my e-Visa application?
The High Commission says it does not process e-Visas and refers questions to the e-Visa help desk. It handles regular visas, which are lodged through BLS International application centres.
Is an emergency visa an option for a Canadian patient?
The Ottawa High Commission says emergency visas are available only to Persons of Indian Origin, at its discretion. Other Canadian patients should plan ahead and apply for the e-Medical visa in good time.
Sources
- Indian e-Visa portal, Bureau of Immigration, Government of India
- Indian e-Visa, High Commission of India, Ottawa
- Customs clearance of passengers at a glance, CBIC
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. How we write and check.