Medical Visa

Medical Visa

People from all across the globe come to India for medical treatment. The country has become one of the most preferred destinations in the world for medical tourism. For convenience of medical treatment seekers in India, the government of India has introduced medical visa for foreign nationals for extended periods. The government has launched a visa-on-arrival system for tourists from few selected countries. The scheme let the foreign nationals to stay in India for 60 days for medical procedures.

Under Separate Medical Attendant Visas, maximum of two attendants who are blood relatives are can accompany the patient. The validity of Medical Attendant Visa will be same as the patient Medical visa. The preliminary duration is up to a year of treatment of Medical visa whichever is less. The visa allows maximum of 3 entries during 1 year.

Key Requirements of Indian Medical Visa:

• People traveling from the below mentioned countries should have Yellow Fever vaccination certificate as per Govt. of India directives.
• All passengers arriving to India w. e. f 14th February 2014 from Kenya, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Israel, Pakistan, Nigeria and Somalia must carry Oral Polio Vaccination (OPV) Certificate taken six weeks prior to entry.
• This certificate is obligatory for both Adults and Children.
• All the travellers from above seven countries must have a written record of vaccination (patient-retained record) for polio, preferably using IHR 2005 International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis from a hospital or Centre administering OPV by the Government of their respective country.
• Indian Missions and Posts will check every medical document that are placed abroad to confirm whether the request to obtain a medical visa is genuine or not.
• To offer satisfactory details to the Missions that they have sought initial medical advice in the country of residence / origin and consequently has got an advice to go for special treatment.
• To get a Medical Visa to India, you need to get treatment in reputed and recognized medical centers. Although a medical visa to India is given for a number of treatments but there are prime ones including radio therapy, Neuro-Surgery, heart treatments, renal disorders, plastic surgery, organ transplants, gene therapy, plastic surgery, ophthalmic disorders, congenital disorders, and more.

Eligibility for Medical Visa Application to India

The medical visa is based on certain conditions and also ensures that people who are immigrating to India are genuinely doing so for the purpose of receiving treatment. Indian immigration authorities require the following criteria to be satisfied:

• It must be clear that the initial medical guidance has already been made by the applicant in their own country and are recommended to pursue specialist treatment.
• It has to be demonstrated by the applicant is seeking medical attention only in a recognized institution having specialization in the treatment of the condition.
• High priority is given to 'M' visa applications in India that are associated with several medical conditions. Some serious ailments are given primary consideration such as neurosurgery, heart problems, ophthalmic disorders and organ transplants.