Travel Guidelines
To make most out of your India stay, you need to get acquainted with several medical and travel guidelines which apply to medical tourists in the country. India’s government instigated laws and regulations relating to medical tourism which international visitors should adhere to, for safety and the best outcomes of their treatment.
Visa Concerns
All medical tourists are required to have their medical visa before their India visit, except for foreign nationals from Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal. You can apply for a medical visa online, via the India government’s websites (http://boi.gov.in/and http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html) or you can reach out to us for assistance.
Medical visas (M), when granted, are good for three (3) entries and valid for a year. However, the India Embassy or Consulate has the right to decline any visa application as it deems fit. Apart from the medical visa for the patient, an accompanying visa (MX) for the medical attendant shall be issued by the government.
However, medical visas are not the only ones issued by India’s government. There are also other visa types such as the following:
Medical visas (M), when granted, are good for three (3) entries and valid for a year. However, the India Embassy or Consulate has the right to decline any visa application as it deems fit. Apart from the medical visa for the patient, an accompanying visa (MX) for the medical attendant shall be issued by the government.
However, medical visas are not the only ones issued by India’s government. There are also other visa types such as the following:
- Visa on arrival – Issued for tourists from the following countries: Cambodia,Finland,Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Luxembourg, Myanmar,New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam. However, this is only issued inMumbai,Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai airports. Valid for 30 days.
- Tourist visa – Valid for 6 months
- Student visa – Validity depends on the study duration and issued upon presentation of proof of admission in India’s academic institutions
- Conference visa – Issued to participants with proof of conference/seminar invitation. Validity depends upon the conference’s duration.
- Transit visa –Issued to individuals who are merely passing through India, valid 15 days upon issuance.
- Business visa – Valid for one or several years
Health Guidelines for Medical Tourists in India
There are several recommended immunizations before traveling abroad and listed below are some of the vaccines which are recommended prior to your India visit. Some foreign nationals from specific countries may be required to have several vaccines, while some may not.
- Japanese B Encephalitis/JBE vaccine
- Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines
- Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) or Injectable Polio Vaccine
- DPT/Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus vaccine
- MMR/Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine
- Hib/Hemophilus b conjugate vaccine
- Yellow fever vaccine
- Typhoid vaccine
Apart from vaccination, there are other medical guidelines which traveling patients are advised to adhere to. Here are some of the points to consider:
- Make sure that you are fully informed regarding the medical procedure you are planning to undertake in India. Do your research on the medical procedure (and the recovery process) or discuss your option to have your medical procedure done in India with your home country doctor.
- Have realistic expectations for your surgery or treatment.
- Take note of the necessary information about the hospital where you’ve decided to get your treatment from, as well as your India doctor’s contact numbers.
- Bring your prescription medications with you.
- Pay your doctor a visit before your scheduled surgery or treatment. This is so that he/she can evaluate you prior to the treatment date and so he/she can give additional instructions before the big day.
- Have clear conversations with your medical provider regarding payments and other financial concerns so everything is cleared and set upon your arrival in the country for treatment.
Make sure to adhere to the following before your health check:
- Come to the hospital/clinic/medical facility early or on time
- Do not take alcohol 12 hours before your health check
- Bring your medical records with you, or make sure your online (EMR) medical health records are updated
- Use the appropriate sartorial requirements for your check-up; make sure to wear light, comfortable clothing and refrain from using accessories (jewelry and others); wear sneakers/rubber shoes if needed for the treadmill stress test
- Let your doctor or medical health officer know if you are suspecting other illnesses or if you’re expecting (pregnant)
- Inform your doctor if you have preexisting medical conditions (heart problems, diabetes, kidney ailments, cancer, etc.)
- Do not wear your contact lenses on the day of your health check
- Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions and don’t hesitate to ask questions regarding your upcoming procedure
Essentials
Make sure to have the following documents for a hassle-free travel process. You are advised to bring the following essential documents when you come to India for your medical treatment:
- Flight tickets
- Visa and passport (yours and your medical attendants’)
- Photocopy of your passport/s and visa
- Passport size photos
- Necessary documents from your hospital, doctor, hotel, or travel operator (may be in letter, printed email, or faxed document form)
- Medical records
- Permits and other documents
- International driving license
- Contact information of key people (your contact persons in India)
- Contracts or vouchers from your travel service provider/medical tourism service provider
- Travel insurance, loss or theft claims, and medical claims
Other Travel Guidelines
Here additional things you may need to consider whilst on your India medical travel:
- Always carry your passport and visa with you
- If you have an international travel license, keep that with you too
- Keep important contact numbers with you always
- Make sure to arrange for a chauffeur, translator, or any service you may need prior to your visit
- Make sure to have the maps or the information for the key places you’re planning to visit in India
- Be mindful of your personal things
- Permits and other documents
- Make sure to have enough local currency with you
- Ask for an encashment certificate whenever changing money
- For proper assistance, use designated tourist desks
- If possible, avoid hawkers at bus stands, airports, and other stations
- Observe (or do your research on) widely accepted social and cultural practices in India and try to be sensitive to them; for instance, removing your shoes when entering places of worship, etc.
- Women travelers are encouraged to refrain from going out during late hours unaccompanied
- Do not take food or drinks from strangers
- If you can, purchase only from genuine sellers
- Make sure to drink clean, bottled water and avoid follow your diet recommendations
- You can request a licensed guide if you want to visit iconic places near where you’re staying