Infographic
An attendant is the family member or friend who travels with a patient for treatment. They apply for their own e-Medical Attendant visa, help with travel and paperwork, stay close during admission, take part in discharge and support recovery at home. Up to two attendants can be linked to one patient’s e-Medical visa.
IndiaMedicaThe attendant’s role, step by step- 01Agree who travelsChoose one or two people who can stay for the whole trip and handle stress calmly.
- 02Apply for visaEach attendant applies for an e-Medical Attendant visa with a passport bio page scan.
- 03Gather documentsCarry copies of reports, the hospital letter, medicines list and travel bookings.
- 04Arrival and settlingMeet the case manager, set up the local SIM and learn the route to the hospital.
- 05During admissionStay close, keep family informed and note questions for the doctors.
- 06At dischargeCollect the discharge summary, medicines and written follow-up plan. Check nothing is missing.
- 07Flight homeHelp with bags, wheelchair requests and medicines once the team agrees it is safe to fly.
- 08Recovery at homeSupport exercises, diet and appointments. Join teleconsultations with the treating team.
Who can be an attendant?
An attendant is usually a close family member or trusted friend. The e-Medical Attendant visa exists for people travelling as attendants to an e-Medical visa holder. The official e-Visa portal states that only two e-Medical Attendant visas are granted against one e-Medical visa. Each attendant needs their own passport and application.
What does the attendant do before and during the trip?
Before travel the attendant helps collect reports and keeps copies of every document. On arrival IndiaMedica arranges airport pickup and nearby accommodation if you want it, and the case manager meets you on day one. During admission the attendant is the patient’s second pair of ears. They keep the family updated, track medicines and write down questions for the doctors.
What does the attendant not do?
- Make clinical decisions: those stay with the doctors and the patient.
- Sign consent on the patient’s behalf unless the hospital asks and the law allows.
- Handle complex billing alone: the case manager helps with deposits and billing questions.
- Travel on a tourist visa in place of an attendant visa.
What happens at discharge and at home?
At discharge the attendant checks that the discharge summary, medicines, fitness-to-fly advice and follow-up plan are all in hand. At home they help the patient keep to exercises, diet and appointments. IndiaMedica arranges teleconsultations with the treating team after you return, and the attendant can join them.
Look after the attendant too
A treatment trip is tiring for the companion as well. Plan rest, meals and a second attendant for long stays if you can.
Questions people ask
Does the attendant need a hospital letter?
For the e-Medical Attendant visa the portal lists a scan of the passport bio page as the document required. The hospital letter belongs to the patient’s e-Medical visa application. Check the portal for the current list before applying.
Can an attendant apply before the patient?
The attendant visa is linked to an e-Medical visa holder, so the patient’s application comes first in practice. Apply together where possible so travel dates match. IndiaMedica guides both applications through the official portal.
Sources
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. How we write and check.