Your Medical Visa to India, Step by Step

For most patients, the visa feels like the most intimidating part of coming to India — a government process, in another country, standing between you and the treatment you need. Here is the truth from the thousands of journeys we have walked beside: the visa is the most predictable step of the entire journey. India wants medical travellers to come, the process is well designed for them, and refusals are rare when the documents are complete.

What actually makes it smooth is preparation — knowing which route applies to your country, having every document ready before you apply, and having the one letter you cannot arrange yourself, the hospital invitation letter, prepared for you free of charge by our team. Every week our coordinators guide patients from Lagos, Khartoum, Harare, Dar es Salaam and beyond through this exact process.

This guide walks you through all of it, step by step. And if you would rather not read at all — send us a message, and a coordinator will check your country's route and start your paperwork today, at no cost.

The three ways to get a medical visa

Route	Best for	How long it takes
e-Medical Visa (online)	Eligible nationalities — fully online, no embassy visit	Usually a few working days
Regular Medical Visa (embassy)	Nationalities not covered by e-visa, or longer treatment plans	1–3 weeks, varies by embassy
Medical Attendant Visa	Up to two companions travelling with the patient	Applied alongside the patient's visa

The e-Medical Visa is valid for 120 days from the date of issue, allows stays of up to 60 days per visit, and permits triple entry. The regular Medical Visa from an embassy can be granted for up to one year.

Is your country e-visa eligible? Many are — including Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Cameroon, Senegal, Guinea, Madagascar, Mozambique, Angola, South Africa and most of West and Southern Africa. Patients from Nigeria, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, DR Congo, Congo and Somalia apply through the Indian embassy instead — a well-trodden path our coordinators guide every week. Check the official eligibility list, or simply ask us — checking this is part of what we do free of charge.

A coordinator is ready to check your eligibility and guide you from the first message.

Step 1 — Tell us about your treatment

Before any visa application, you need to know where you're being treated. Send us your medical reports on WhatsApp. Within a short time you'll have:

• A treatment plan and cost estimate from an accredited hospital — shared clearly, before you commit to anything. You can also explore typical prices yourself with our Medical Tourism Cost Calculator

  A named coordinator who handles everything that follows
   

Step 2 — We prepare your hospital invitation letter (free)

Every medical visa application needs an invitation letter from a recognised Indian hospital, stating your name, passport number, condition and planned treatment. This is the document patients worry about most — and it's the one you never have to arrange yourself. Once your hospital and doctor are confirmed, we obtain the invitation letter for you, at no charge. It's been part of our service for every patient we've ever assisted.

Your hospital invitation letter is obtained for you — no paperwork chase required.

 

Step 3 — Gather your documents

 

You'll need:

• Passport, valid at least six months beyond your travel date, with two blank pages
• Passport-size photograph (white background)
• Hospital invitation letter — provided by us
• Your medical reports and referral note (showing why you're travelling for treatment)
• Proof of funds — generally required; some embassies also ask for a return flight booking
• Proof of address

Up to two companions can apply for Medical Attendant Visas to accompany you — family members most commonly, but blood relation is not mandatory. We prepare their supporting letters too.
 

Step 4 — Apply

 

Embassy appointments are straightforward — your coordinator tells you exactly what to bring.

Apply from home through the official portal — your coordinator walks you through every field.

Step 5 — Track, receive, fly

Applications come with a reference number you can track online. When the visa is granted:

• We book nothing until you've seen your costs in writing — no surprises on arrival
• Your coordinator confirms your airport pickup — someone is waiting for you with your name, from your very first minute in India
• Accommodation near the hospital & doctor appointment — arranged before you land
• Language interpreters arranged on request
• SIM card, currency exchange, grocery shopping (if you would like to cook in the guest house) — your coordinator will assist with everything once you land
•  

If something goes wrong

Visa refused or delayed? It's rare when the documents are complete, but it happens. Your coordinator will review the refusal reason, correct the application, and obtain fresh hospital letters if needed — again at no cost. And if treatment genuinely needs more time than your visa allows, the visa can be extended when your hospital recommends it — there is a formal process through India's FRRO office, and we help you through it.

What patients ask us

How early should I apply?
Once your hospital and appointment are confirmed — usually 2–4 weeks before you plan to travel. Embassy-route countries may need a little longer; we'll advise timing for your country.

Can my family come with me?
Yes — up to two companions can accompany you on Medical Attendant Visas. They don't have to be blood relatives.

Do I pay Ginger Healthcare for visa help?
No. Patients never pay us anything — not for the invitation letter, not for guidance, not for coordination. Hospitals compensate us, so our help is free to you. Read more about who we are.

Is the invitation letter really free?
Yes. It always has been, for every patient.