Country guide · West Africa
Nigerian nationals are not on India’s e-Visa list, so a patient applies for a regular medical visa at the High Commission of India in Abuja or its Lagos office. The mission asks for a Nigerian hospital referral and an Indian hospital invitation, both emailed directly to it, plus yellow fever and polio certificates.
| Country | Nigeria |
| Indian e-Visa (e-Medical) | Not on the e-Visa list — apply for a regular medical visa through the Indian mission |
| IndiaMedica edition | English |
Can Nigerians use the Indian e-Medical visa?
No. Nigeria is not listed among the e-Visa eligible countries on the official Indian portal. Patients apply for a regular medical visa, which the High Commission describes as a visa for a foreigner whose sole purpose is treatment in a recognised hospital or treatment centre.
Where do Nigerian patients submit the application?
The High Commission of India lists two submission points, its chancery in Abuja and its office in Lagos. Applications are received in the morning on working days. You fill in the visa form online, print it, attach photographs and sign it. Give your own email address and telephone number on the form.
Which documents does the High Commission ask for?
- An original passport valid for at least six months, with a copy of the data page, and two 50 mm by 50 mm photographs on a light background.
- A typed referral letter from a reputable Nigerian hospital stating the illness and why it is referred to India, sent to the mission from the hospital’s verifiable email domain.
- A typed invitation from the Indian hospital stating the treatment, expected dates and attendant details, also emailed by the hospital to the mission.
- A certified bank statement for the last three months or the equivalent bank letter the mission accepts, or a sponsor’s affidavit with the sponsor’s ID.
- Copies of Nigerian diagnostic reports such as CT, MRI or X-ray reports, and earlier Indian discharge summaries for follow-up visits.
- For transplant patients, a donor and patient compatibility report.
- Proof of yellow fever vaccination and of polio vaccination, which the mission says is mandatory for Nigerian residents.
Transplant patients
Indian law permits living donation by a near relative only, approved by a hospital authorisation committee with the relationship certified by your embassy. IndiaMedica never sources donors.
What happens at the Indian airport?
Nigeria is on the yellow fever endemic list reproduced by India’s Ministry of Health. Travellers without a valid certificate can be quarantined on arrival, so carry the original certificate in your hand luggage.
Which edition and cities suit Nigerian patients?
IndiaMedica’s English edition is written for anglophone patients and matches the language of Indian hospital paperwork. The large hospital cities in our destination guides, such as Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Chennai, all have international airports. Your case manager will help you match the city to the hospital chosen.
What else should Nigerian patients plan for?
The High Commission notes that the Indian hospital takes responsibility for the patient and attendant, including immigration matters, until they leave India. Keep the hospital contact named in the invitation letter. Carry prescriptions for any medicines, since narcotic and psychotropic substances are prohibited imports without proper authority.
How does IndiaMedica help Nigerian patients?
We review your reports free, collect opinions from accredited hospitals and help make sure the invitation letter carries what the High Commission asks for. Hospitals pay us a disclosed referral fee that never changes your price.
Questions people ask
Why must the hospital letters be emailed to the High Commission?
The Abuja mission asks both the Nigerian referring hospital and the Indian hospital to email their letters directly from verifiable domain addresses. Attach printouts of the invitation and its email to your application. This lets the mission confirm the letters are genuine.
Can the consular officer ask for more documents?
Yes. The High Commission says the consular officer may verify original reports and may ask for additional documents at interview. Bring originals of your medical reports to the appointment.
Sources
- Indian e-Visa portal, Bureau of Immigration, Government of India
- Medical visa, High Commission of India, Abuja
- Yellow fever vaccination, IHR Points of Entry, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- 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.