Infographic
Most international patients from eligible countries use the e-Medical visa, applied for online with a hospital letter. The regular Medical visa is applied for through an Indian mission and suits treatment that may run longer than an e-Visa allows. Both allow up to two attendants. e-Visas cannot be extended, so long treatment needs early planning.
IndiaMedicae-Visa or regular medical visa?| Aspect | e-Medical visa | Regular Medical visa |
|---|---|---|
| How you apply | Online on the official e-Visa portal | Through an Indian mission in your country |
| Who can apply | Nationals of listed e-Visa countries | Patients not eligible for the e-Visa or needing a longer stay |
| Validity | One year from arrival, per the portal’s visa description | Linked to the length of treatment in earlier MHA guidance |
| Entries | Multiple | Ask the mission |
| Key document | Hospital letter on letterhead with tentative admission date | Hospital letter and documents the mission lists |
| Attendants | Up to two e-Medical Attendant visas | Up to two Medical Attendant visas in earlier MHA guidance |
| Extension | Non-extendable and non-convertible | Ask the hospital and FRRO about options |
| When to apply | At least 4 days and up to 120 days before arrival | Allow time for mission processing |
Which visa do most patients use?
PIB states that e-Medical and e-Medical Attendant visas are available to nationals of 172 countries. For most patients from those countries the e-Medical visa is the simpler route. You apply online, upload a passport scan and the hospital letter, and receive an electronic travel authorisation.
What does the e-Medical visa require?
The official portal asks for a scan of the passport bio page and a copy of a letter from the Indian hospital on its letterhead. The letter shows the tentative admission date. You must apply at least four days before arrival, within a 120-day window. The portal states the visa allows multiple entries and that e-Visas are non-extendable and non-convertible.
When is the regular Medical visa the better route?
IndiaMedica’s visa page explains that the regular sticker Medical visa is applied for through an Indian mission and is meant for treatment that may run longer than an e-Visa allows. Earlier MHA guidance linked its duration to the length of treatment. If your country is not on the e-Visa list, it is also the route to use.
What should you check before choosing?
- Whether your nationality appears on the e-Visa eligible list.
- How long the hospital expects treatment and recovery to take.
- Whether attendants will travel with you.
- The current validity text on the official portal on the day you apply.
Rules change
Visa rules are updated from time to time. Always confirm the current requirements with the official portal or the Indian mission before you apply.
Questions people ask
Can I switch from an e-Medical visa to a regular Medical visa in India?
The portal states that e-Visas are non-convertible. If your treatment may last longer than your e-Visa allows, raise it with the hospital and the FRRO well before the visa ends. Planning early avoids last-minute problems.
Does each attendant need a hospital letter?
For the e-Medical Attendant visa the portal lists the passport bio page scan as the required document. The hospital letter is part of the patient’s application. Each attendant applies separately with their own passport.
Sources
- Government of India – e-Visa portal
- IndiaMedica – Medical visa for India
- PIB – Medical and Wellness Tourism in India (May 2026)
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. How we write and check.