MEDICAL VISA TO FOREIGN TOURISTS BY INDIAN GOVERNMENT

he Government introduced a new kind of visa called ‘Medical Visa’ to
foreign tourists in June, 2005. It is granted to foreigners who have
sought preliminary medical advice from their country of
origin/residence and have been advised to go for specialised medical
treatment. The Indian Missions/Posts abroad scrutinise the medical
documents to satisfy themselves about the bona fide purpose for which
medical treatment visa is being requested. The initial validity of
medical visa is one year or the period of treatment, whichever is less.
It can be extended for a further period of one year by the State
Governments/Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs)/Foreigners
Registration Offices (FROs) on production of medical certificate from
reputable/recognised/specialised hospitals in India. Further extensions
can be granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs on the recommendations
of the State Governments/FRROs/FROs supported by appropriate medical
documents. The visa is valid for a maximum of three entries during the
year. Foreigners coming to India on medical visa are required to get
themselves registered with the concerned FRROs within 14 days from the
date of their arrival in India.


The objective of such a visa is to help foreigners who wish to
utilise specialised medical health care facilities in India and to
promote medical tourism.


The Medical visa is different from a tourist visa. The purpose
of tourist visa is tourism and such a visa cannot be converted into any
other type of visa or extended beyond six months i.e. the initial
period for which it is granted. Foreigners holding tourist visa are not
required to register themselves with the concerned FRROs if their
continuous stay in the country does not exceed six months. Medical visa
is initially granted for one year and can be extended as per the
requirements of the medical treatment. Medical visa holders are
required to register themselves with the concerned FRROs within 14 days
of their arrival in India.