Process & visa

Everything between "I'm considering this" and boarding your flight

Visa rules and processing times can change without notice. Treat this page as an overview and always confirm current requirements on India's official e-Visa portal before you apply.

Treatment planning timeline

Records review (2–5 days)

Send your diagnosis, imaging, labs and current medication list. Hospitals typically respond with an initial opinion within a few business days.

Written treatment plan & quote (3–7 days)

You'll receive a specific procedure plan, an itemized cost estimate, expected length of hospital stay, and total time in India including recovery.

Hospital invitation letter

Once you accept a plan, the hospital issues a formal invitation letter. This is required to apply for your e-Medical Visa.

e-Medical Visa application

Apply online through India's official e-Visa portal. Processing is often quick for straightforward applications, but build in buffer time — see the visa section below.

Book travel & arrival

Most patients arrange arrival 1–2 days before admission to rest and complete pre-op testing. Many hospitals offer airport pickup for international patients.

Admission, procedure & inpatient recovery

Length of stay depends entirely on the procedure — from same-day for diagnostics to several weeks for transplant surgery.

Outpatient recovery & discharge clearance

Most patients stay locally for follow-up visits — commonly one to three weeks — before their treating physician clears them to fly home.

Records handoff to your U.S. doctor

Before you leave, request complete discharge summaries, imaging, pathology reports and implant documentation to give to your physician at home.

Visa requirements for U.S. citizens

The e-Medical Visa & e-Medical Attendant Visa

India does not allow foreign nationals to receive medical treatment on a tourist visa. U.S. citizens traveling for treatment need one of two specific e-Visa categories, applied for online through the Indian government's official portal.

e-Medical Visa

For the patient
  • Issued only to the person receiving treatment, not accompanying family
  • Allows up to three entries into India on a single visa
  • Requires a hospital invitation letter as part of the application
  • Passport must be valid 6+ months with two blank pages

e-Medical Attendant Visa

For a companion
  • For up to two family members accompanying the patient
  • Must show proof of relationship (e.g. birth or marriage certificate)
  • Only valid alongside a person holding an e-Medical Visa
  • Same passport and entry rules as the e-Medical Visa
Apply only through the official government portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in. The Indian government explicitly warns applicants against third-party sites that mimic the official portal. VERIFY current fees & processing time on the official site

Travel & recovery logistics

Where do I stay?
Most major hospitals for international patients have partnered guesthouses or nearby hotels, and some include attendant accommodation in their package. Ask your hospital coordinator for specific options near the campus before booking anything independently.
Do I need vaccinations?
Requirements vary by your health history and where in India you're traveling. Talk to a U.S. travel medicine clinic or your doctor well before your trip — this is not something to leave to the week before you fly.
Will people speak English?
English is widely spoken in India's private hospital sector, particularly among physicians and international-patient coordinators, and is commonly used for medical documentation.
What about travel insurance?
Standard travel insurance often excludes pre-planned medical procedures. Ask specifically about medical-travel or "surgery abroad" insurance products, and separately confirm what your hospital's own complication policy covers.
What currency and payment methods are used?
The Indian rupee (INR) is the local currency. Ask your hospital in advance which payment methods they accept for deposits and final settlement — wire transfer is common for larger procedure packages.
Ready to start?

Get your treatment plan before you apply for anything

A written plan and hospital invitation letter come first — visa applications and flights come after.

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