Visa and travel
The visa, arriving in Delhi and where you'll stay. We help with all of it; here's what to expect.
- 48–72 h
- typical e-Medical visa processing
- 175
- nationalities can apply online (October 2026)
- 20–45 min
- from the airport to major hospitals
- 24 h
- to register your stay (Form C)
The e-Medical visa
Getting the e-Medical visa
Visas are decided by the Government of India, so no one can guarantee one. That's why we suggest a flexible ticket.
- 01
After the hospital accepts your case
Invitation letter from the hospital
The hospital's international desk issues a letter on its letterhead with your diagnosis, planned treatment and expected length of stay. We request it for you.
- 02
3–4 weeks before you travel
Apply online for the e-Medical visa
Apply on the official Indian visa portal with your passport details, a photo and the hospital letter. Companions apply for the e-Medical Attendant visa. We help you fill it in.
- 03
Usually 48–72 hours
Electronic travel authorisation
Approval arrives by email. Print it and carry it with your passport for airline check-in and immigration in Delhi.
- 04
Arrival day
Arrive in Delhi
Land at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Your case manager meets you after immigration with a car to your stay or the hospital, and a local SIM.
- 05
Within 24 hours of arrival
Registration (Form C)
Your hotel, apartment or hospital must report your stay to the authorities. We make sure it's done, and handle e-FRRO registration if your visa requires it.
What you'll need
- A passport valid for at least 6 months, with 2 blank pages
- A recent photo on a white background
- The invitation letter from your hospital
- A card to pay the visa fee online
Where you'll stay
You'll spend the first days in a private hospital room. Once your surgeon discharges you, most people move to a serviced apartment nearby until they're cleared to fly.
On or beside the hospital campus
Hospital guest house
$60–$120per night
- A short walk to appointments and tests
- Useful for older patients or close cardiac follow-up
- Simple rooms, hospital-run housekeeping
Most chosen for joint and spine recovery
Serviced apartment
$40–$80per night
- Separate living space and a kitchenette
- Lift access, step-free shower with grab bars (checked before booking)
- Home physiotherapy visits can be arranged
- Purified drinking water and daily housekeeping
Clean, simple and safe
Budget guesthouse
$20–$40per night
- Private air-conditioned room with en-suite bathroom
- 10–15 minutes by cab to the hospital
- Good for companions, or longer dental and IVF stays
Rates are typical for Gurugram and South Delhi. Try them in the cost calculator.
Arrival day
When you land
Indira Gandhi International has medical travel help desks and wheelchair assistance on request. Here's what we arrange.
Assistance at the airport
Wheelchair or buggy help booked with your airline in advance, if you need it.
Met after immigration
Your case manager meets you in arrivals with a car to your stay or the hospital.
Connected from day one
A local SIM and help changing money at an authorised desk.
Paperwork done
Form C reporting within 24 hours, and e-FRRO registration if your visa requires it.
Practicalities
Travel questions
Can I travel for treatment on a tourist visa?
No. Planned treatment needs a medical visa. The e-Medical visa is designed for it, allows up to two companions on attendant visas, and can be extended in India on medical advice if your recovery runs longer. Check the official visa portal for current validity and entry rules before you apply.
Can my visa be extended if I need more time?
Usually, yes. If your surgeon advises a longer stay, the hospital provides a medical certificate and we help you apply for an extension online through e-FRRO without leaving India. Extensions aren't automatic, so we start early.
Is the food and water safe?
Hospitals prepare inpatient meals to your clinical diet. In apartments we make sure you have purified or sealed bottled water, and we can arrange low-salt, diabetic, vegetarian or continental meals.
Will my accommodation be accessible?
For joint, spine and heart patients we check lift or ground-floor access, doorway width for a walker or wheelchair, and a step-free shower before booking, and we share photos with you.
What if my country isn't on the e-Visa list?
You apply for a regular medical visa through the Indian embassy, high commission or its visa centre where you live, with the same hospital letter. As of October 2026 that includes Nigeria, Ethiopia, DR Congo and Saudi Arabia. Allow extra time. Our pages for Africa, the Gulf and Central Asia list the route for each country.
How much is the visa fee?
It depends on your nationality and changes from time to time. The official portal shows the current fee when you apply; it's paid online by card.
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