If you're traveling to India for surgery or specialist treatment, you'll need the right visa before you fly. India doesn't offer visa on arrival to US citizens, and a regular tourist visa isn't meant for medical treatment.
The good news: for most patients, the e-Medical Visa can be done entirely online, with no embassy visit. Here's how it works.
The e-Medical Visa at a glance
| e-Medical Visa (patient) | e-Medical Attendant Visa (companion) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | The person receiving treatment | Up to 2 family members traveling with the patient |
| How long you can stay | Up to 60 days from arrival | Same dates as the patient's visa |
| Entries | 3 entries within that period | 3 entries within that period |
| Where to apply | Official Government of India e-Visa portal | Same portal, linked to the patient's application |
Triple entry is useful when treatment comes in stages. For example, you can leave for a short break and come back for a follow-up within the same visa.
Before you apply: get your hospital letter
The one document that sets a medical visa apart is a letter from the Indian hospital that will treat you. To get it, the hospital normally reviews your medical reports first, so start here.
- Share your recent reports, scans and your US doctor's notes with the hospital.
- The hospital reviews your case and confirms it can treat you.
- The hospital issues a letter stating your diagnosis, planned treatment and expected dates.
This step can take longer than the visa itself, so begin a few weeks before you hope to travel.
What you'll need
- US passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, with at least 2 blank pages
- Digital passport scan of the photo page
- Recent photo: square, clear face, plain white background
- Hospital letter (PDF) on the hospital's letterhead
- Credit or debit card to pay the visa fee
- Travel details: arrival airport and dates
How to apply, step by step
- Use only the official portal. Apply at the Government of India e-Visa website (indianvisaonline.gov.in). Many look-alike sites charge extra service fees.
- Choose "e-Medical Visa" as your visa type and fill in your details exactly as they appear on your passport.
- Upload your documents: the photo, passport scan and hospital letter.
- Pay the fee. The fee depends on nationality and can change, so check the current amount on the portal. It isn't refundable if your application is refused.
- Wait for approval. Simple cases are often approved within a few days, but delays happen. Don't book a non-refundable flight until you have it.
- Print your approval (the Electronic Travel Authorization) and carry it with your passport. The immigration officer on arrival makes the final decision.
Bringing a family member
Most people shouldn't recover from major surgery alone. Up to two family members can apply for the e-Medical Attendant Visa, which is linked to the patient's visa and follows the same dates. Each companion applies separately, with their own passport and photo.
If your treatment runs longer than 60 days
Plan your treatment to fit inside the 60 days if you can. Extensions are possible only in limited cases, through India's Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), and aren't guaranteed. If your doctor expects a longer stay, ask about a regular medical visa through the Indian visa center instead of the e-Visa.
Mistakes that cause delays
- A name or passport number that doesn't match your passport exactly
- A blurry photo or one with a shadowed background
- Applying with the tourist visa instead of the medical visa
- A hospital letter without dates or a clear treatment plan
- Leaving it until the week before your flight
Are you Indian-origin with an OCI card?
If you hold an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, you may not need a separate visa. Check the current OCI rules for medical treatment before you travel.
How TravOWL helps
We coordinate the hospital review and letter, help you prepare your visa documents, and plan your appointments, flights, hotel and airport pickup around your visa dates. TravOWL doesn't guarantee visa approval, which is always the Indian government's decision, but we make sure nothing is missing when you apply.
Book your free consultation to start planning your treatment trip.
Visa rules change. This guide reflects publicly available information as of November 2026. Always confirm current requirements on the official Government of India e-Visa portal before you apply.
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