Travelling to India for treatment
How do I get there?
For Delhi and the National Capital Region, use Indira Gandhi International Airport. For Bengaluru use Kempegowda International Airport.
For Hyderabad, consult Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. Ask your hospital to name the exact branch and city before arranging the onward journey.
For Chennai use the Airports Authority of India’s Chennai airport page; for Mumbai use Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
Do I need a visa?
The Indian government's e-Visa portal provides a medical-purpose application route:
- Canada: a visa is required unless a separate status such as a valid OCI card applies; eligible Canadian passport holders can apply for an e-Medical visa.
- United States: the same medical visa route is available for eligible US passport holders.
- United Kingdom: British citizens need a visa unless exempt through another status; check e-Medical eligibility and any nationality or family-origin restrictions.
- European Union: use the portal's individual nationality list and apply for the appropriate medical visa; an EU passport does not itself grant visa-free entry.
The e-Medical visa allows up to 60 days from first arrival and triple entry. The portal requires a letter from the Indian hospital. It also offers an e-Medical Attendant category. Check the permitted entry points, application window and passport requirements before booking.
The official Indian visa portal provides an e-Arrival card to complete within 72 hours before arrival. The UK government's current entry advice says foreign arrivals must complete it before immigration. The arrival card does not replace a visa or OCI status.
Before departure, read Canada's travel advice for India, US travel advice for India, UK travel advice for India and the European Commission's gateway to EU national travel advice.
How do clinics usually take payment?
Aster's Bengaluru international-patient information lists cash and credit cards at admission, and wire transfer to the hospital before arrival. It explains settlement of any excess or outstanding balance on discharge.
Ask the hospital to state the quote and settlement currencies, advance amount, bank details, refund timing and tax treatment. Confirm the quoted hospital branch and which investigations, implants and additional nights are excluded.
What language and documents do I need?
Artemis Hospitals and Aster publish English international-patient information. Ask for the invitation letter needed for the visa, the treating department's document list and a named contact for changes to your schedule.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises patients to bring relevant medical records, test results, prescriptions and a medication list, and to tell the receiving team about allergies. It also advises obtaining complete records before returning home and arranging any necessary English translation.
Ask for a medical or dental report, an itemised invoice, prescriptions and a follow-up contact. If an implant or other device is used, request its identifying details and the operative record so your clinician at home knows what was placed.
Who can I complain to?
For a doctor's professional conduct, the National Medical Commission's ethics rules identify the appropriate medical council as a disciplinary route. The NMC grievance page lists an online portal, email and post for grievances within its remit. Its instructions are in English. Ask whether your complaint belongs with the state medical council or the state authority regulating the hospital; these are different issues.
How to check a doctor's licence in India: our guide.
How long do people stay?
Apollo Hospitals’ knee-replacement information describes a hospital stay of 2–4 days for most patients. That is an inpatient period, not the total time an overseas patient must remain in India. Ask the treating hospital to state the separate local follow-up and travel-readiness arrangements.
The CDC's medical-travel guidance says flying after surgery can increase clot risk and discusses delaying air travel 10–14 days after major surgery, especially chest procedures. This is general official guidance; ask the treating team and airline about your own return journey.
What should I know about the place?
The Government of India's medical-travel information describes Medical Value Travel alongside wellness and traditional-medicine programmes. A destination programme is not confirmation that every advertised therapy is established treatment.
Checked on 24 October 2026.