Indian e-Medical Visa

The Indian health sector characterized by the state of the art facilities across her hospitals nationwide and a growing list of specialist in different medical fields, has attracted individuals from different countries of the world who needs medical attention for wide-ranging medical conditions. The government of India has made it possible for this category of travelers to apply for and receive their visa without having to visit the Indian embassy or consulate in their countries. The Indian e-medical visa is a short term visa which has a validity period of 60 days from the date of first arrival in India and allows for two other entries after the initial trip. At the discretion of the visa office, an unused Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) expires after four months of issuance.

Eligibility criteria for Indian e-Medical visa

Like what obtains for other e-visas, only individuals from these 165 countries are eligible to apply for the Indian e-medical visa. Note that not all medical conditions are admissible for e-medical visa application. However, urgent, emergency and any life-threatening case will be eligible for this visa category, if:

There is enough evidence from your primary physicians in your home country recommending that you be referred to India for further treatment.
You opt for getting medical attention in an Indian hospital.
You have a recognized specialist in an India hospital that has agreed to be your physician.

Documents needed to apply for an Indian e-Medical visa

The following are required for your e-medical visa application:

Passport photograph (colored passport with white background, less than 3MB in size, must be in either JPG, PDF or PNG format).
Scanned copy of your passport’s information page (same specification as above).
Scanned pages of your passport with at least two unused pages left.
Medical appointment letter issued on official letterhead by the Indian hospital where your physician is. This letter should be detailed providing the tentative date of admission into the hospital.

Indian e-Medical visa application process

We understand that dealing with your medical condition alone is challenging enough, a failed application is the last thing you want to encounter. At online your e-Medical visa application can be done quickly under three processes:

Completing an online Indian visa application
For the completeness of your application, note that the following information will be required:
- Your basic information
- A working email address
- International passport information (issue and expiry dates, and passport number)
- Some yes or no, validation questions
- Preferred port of arrival
- Additional medical documents (if needed)
  After you provide all the needed information, review all information provided, make a payment (varies from countries) and confirm payment of all fees.
  Note: Debit/credit card or a PayPal account are acceptable for online payment.
Check your email to receive your approved India e-medical ETA.
Be ready for your India trip. Your passport and a copy of your electronic authorization will be requested before you enter India.

Other things an e-medical visa holder must note

You are required to apply for your e-medical visa not later than 4 days and not more than 120 days before your trip to India.
Apart from our service fees, your application will require payment of an application fee which depends on your country/territory.
This visa type is not convertible, non-extendable nor cancelable.
An e-medical visa holder can be allowed to enter India at the nearest and least busy of the authorized twenty-eight (28) airports and five (5) authorized seaports. Click here to see the designated ports.
Travelling documents will be presented at your chosen landing port, and your passport stamped with your e-visa.
Other than the ordinary passport, other traveling documents are not accepted.
The cost of application varies from being cost-free in countries like South Africa to around $102 for American and Great Britain citizens.
Your application allows a maximum of two blood relatives to co-travel with you as attendants. They will be required to apply for their e-medical attendant category of visa differently.
By Indian laws, a medical visa will not be issued for surrogacy

FAQs Relating To India e-Medical Visa Application

Yes, you can. For a patient who requires more time for recovery, and would have to exceed her departure date, the hospital will issue her a letter to the FRRO office to process the extension.

E-Visa for medical purposes can be mailed to the applying patient within 24 hours, but from the immigration office’s timeline, a maximum of 4 working days is advised.

Here are some medical conditions that are considered for an e-medical visa; congenital disorders, cardio issues, neurosurgery, organ transplant, plastic surgery, renal disorders, ophthalmic disorders among others.

If your previous visa is still valid and you have not entered India thrice in the year, you can use your former visa. However, if this is not the case, a new application is allowed.

Not necessarily so, except if your primary physician can show enough reason why you will be needing a referral to an Indian hospital for your safe delivery.

No, an expired e-medical visa will not be tenable for your medical trip.

Yes, but be aware that you cannot visit government restricted areas.

Yes, you can, in medical situations that the visa office deems as an emergency, you can apply for and get an emergency visa. Indian emergency e-visa application and approval are usually completed in less than 24 hours. And in extreme cases, maximum of 72 hours.