Which Visa You Need — and Which to Avoid

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For neurosurgery, the visa you want is the e-Medical Visa (sometimes written as M-Visa). It is an electronic visa, applied for online, designed specifically for people travelling to India for treatment at a recognised hospital. For most patients this is all you need.

There is one important thing not to do: do not travel on a tourist visa for surgery. Hospitals are not permitted to admit foreign nationals for major treatment on a tourist visa, and using one for surgery can lead to serious problems including being turned away or deported. It is a common and costly mistake. The e-Medical Visa exists precisely so you do not have to take that risk.

If your treatment is expected to take longer than the 60-day e-Visa allows — for example a long course of rehabilitation — you may instead need a regular Medical Visa (a sticker visa from the Indian embassy or high commission in your country), which can be issued for longer and extended within India. For the vast majority of neurosurgery cases, though, the 60-day e-Medical Visa is more than enough.

The Step-by-Step Process

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From your first enquiry to landing in India, the journey follows a clear order. The single thing that unlocks the whole process is the hospital invitation letter, so the earlier you have your case reviewed, the smoother everything is.

1. Get your case reviewed and a hospital invitation letter. Send your scans and reports to the hospital or coordinator. Once the surgeon confirms the treatment, the hospital issues a Visa Invitation Letter naming you, your treatment and the dates. This letter is mandatory for the visa.
2. Apply online at the official portal. Go to the Government of India e-Visa portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in, choose the e-Medical Visa, and complete the form. You can apply from 120 days up to a minimum of 4 days before your arrival date.
3. Upload your documents and pay. Upload your passport page, a recent photograph and the hospital invitation letter, then pay the fee online. Fees vary by nationality.
4. Receive your approval by email. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) usually arrives within 24 to 72 hours, and within a few working days at most. Print it out — you will need to show a physical copy at immigration.
5. Complete the e-Arrival Card before you fly. As of 2026 this online disembarkation form must be filled in on the same portal, up to 72 hours before your flight lands.
6. Travel. Carry your printed ETA, your passport and the hospital letter, and present them at immigration on arrival.

The Documents You Need

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The document list is short, but each item needs to be right. Getting these in order before you start the application is the best way to avoid delays.

• A passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival, with at least two blank pages for stamping.
• A recent passport-style photograph — a clear, front-facing image on a plain background. Blurry photos are a common cause of delay.
• A clear scan of your passport's bio-data page.
• The hospital Visa Invitation Letter, naming you, the treatment and the planned dates — and naming your attendants if they are travelling.
• A working email address and payment card for the online application and fee.

Bringing Family — the Medical Attendant Visa

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No one should face brain or spine surgery abroad alone, and the system recognises that. Up to two family members can accompany you on an e-Medical Attendant Visa. This is a separate visa for the companion — not the patient — and it is linked to your medical visa, with the same 60-day validity and triple entry.

Each attendant applies online in the same way, using the same hospital invitation letter, which should name them. Their visa is tied to yours, so they are expected to travel to accompany you rather than independently. For most neurosurgery patients, one attendant — a spouse, an adult child, a parent — is enough, but the option of two is there when it is needed.

On Arrival — the New e-Arrival Card and What to Carry

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For 2026, India introduced a mandatory online e-Arrival Card — a digital version of the old paper disembarkation form. You complete it on the same e-Visa portal up to 72 hours before your flight lands, and it speeds up immigration clearance at the major airports such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

At the immigration counter, have these ready: a printed copy of your approved ETA marked "granted," your passport, and your hospital invitation letter. Immigration officers may take your fingerprints and photograph, which is routine. Keep your documents together and easily accessible, and the same for each attendant.

Depending on the length and nature of your stay, you may also need to register with the local Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) after arrival. This is a simple formality that the hospital's international patient desk handles for you, and they will tell you if it applies in your case.

Urgent and Emergency Cases

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Some neurosurgical problems cannot wait, and the visa process can be moved quickly when needed. Because the e-Medical Visa is usually processed within 24 to 72 hours, many urgent cases are handled within the normal system simply by applying without delay once the invitation letter is ready.

For genuinely time-critical situations, faster processing can often be arranged through the Indian embassy or high commission in your country, with the hospital providing an urgent support letter explaining the medical need. If your case is urgent, say so at the very start — the hospital can prioritise the invitation letter and advise on the quickest route. The companion guides for specific countries, such as the medical visa guide for patients travelling from Ghana, cover the local embassy details and emergency steps.

The Mistakes That Cause Rejections

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Most visa problems are not complicated refusals — they are small, avoidable errors that cause a delay at the worst possible time. These are the ones to watch for.

• A passport too close to expiry. It must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival, with two blank pages. Renew it first if it is borderline.
• A blurry or non-compliant photo. Use a clear, front-facing photo on a plain background.
• A weak or mismatched invitation letter. The names, treatment and dates on the letter should match your application exactly, and attendants must be named.
• Applying too late. Apply at least 4 days before travel, and ideally a couple of weeks ahead, so there is time to fix any query.
• Using an unofficial website. Apply only on the official Government of India portal to avoid overcharging and errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What visa do I need for neurosurgery in India?

You need an Indian e-Medical Visa, applied for online once your hospital has issued a Visa Invitation Letter. It is designed for foreign patients travelling for treatment. You should not have surgery on a tourist visa, as hospitals cannot admit foreign nationals for major treatment on one.

How long does an Indian medical visa take to process?

The e-Medical Visa is usually processed within 24 to 72 hours, and within a few working days at most when documents are clear. You can apply from 120 days up to a minimum of 4 days before your arrival date, so applying early leaves room to fix any query.

Can my family travel with me to India for surgery?

Yes. Up to two family members can accompany you on an e-Medical Attendant Visa, applied for online using the same hospital invitation letter, which should name them. Their visa is linked to your medical visa and carries the same 60-day validity and triple entry.

How long is the Indian e-Medical Visa valid for?

The e-Medical Visa is valid for 60 days from the date of your first arrival in India, with triple entry allowed within that period — useful if you need to leave and return for follow-up. If your treatment will take longer than 60 days, a regular Medical Visa from the Indian embassy may be more suitable.

What documents do I need for an Indian medical visa?

A passport valid for at least 6 months with two blank pages, a clear recent photograph, a scan of your passport bio-data page, the hospital Visa Invitation Letter naming you and any attendants, and an email address and payment card for the online application. Getting the invitation letter right is the most important part.

Can I get an emergency or urgent medical visa to India?

Yes. Because the e-Medical Visa is usually granted within 24 to 72 hours, many urgent cases are handled within the normal system by applying immediately once the invitation letter is ready. For time-critical situations, faster processing can often be arranged through the Indian embassy with an urgent hospital support letter. Flag urgency at the very start so the hospital can prioritise your letter.

What if my treatment takes longer than 60 days?

If your treatment or recovery is expected to exceed the 60-day e-Visa validity, you can apply instead for a regular Medical Visa (a sticker visa) from the Indian embassy or high commission in your country, which can be issued for longer and extended within India. Most neurosurgery cases fit comfortably within the 60-day e-Visa.

Can I have surgery in India on a tourist visa?

No. Hospitals are not permitted to admit foreign nationals for major treatment on a tourist visa, and using one for surgery can lead to being turned away or deported. Always use the e-Medical Visa, which is straightforward to obtain and exists for exactly this purpose.