If you are planning treatment abroad, the medical visa India UAE residents apply for is the first document to get right. A clear application saves you time, avoids avoidable refusals and lets you focus on your health.
This guide explains which visa fits your situation, what the Indian government asks for, and how to prepare your hospital letter and your companions’ visas. Every visa rule below comes from official Indian government sources, listed at the end.
Rules and fees change. Details were checked against official pages on 19 October 2026. Always confirm on the official portal before you pay or book flights.
Table of Contents
Which Medical Visa Applies to UAE Residents?
Indian authorities offer two main routes for foreign patients. The first is the electronic e-Medical Visa, applied for online. The second is a regular Medical Visa (MED-1), processed through the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
Here is the detail that confuses many people. Eligibility for the e-visa depends on the passport you hold, not on the country where you live. The official e-Visa portal says it is open to holders of valid passports from the listed countries and territories, and the UAE is on that list.
So a UAE national can use the e-Medical route. An expatriate living in the UAE can use it only if their own passport is from a listed country. If your nationality is not on the list, the regular visa through the mission is the route to check.
The portal also excludes some applicants from the e-visa entirely. These include holders of diplomatic or official passports, travellers with Pakistani passports or Pakistani origin, and people endorsed on a parent’s or spouse’s passport. Each traveller needs a separate passport.
The e-Medical Visa: Who Can Apply
The e-Medical Visa covers medical treatment, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine. It is delivered as an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) by email once approved.
To qualify, the portal lists these conditions:
- A passport with at least six months’ validity when you apply.
- At least two blank pages for the immigration officer’s stamp.
- A return or onward ticket, plus enough money for your stay.
- A passport from an eligible country or territory.
The portal warns that it is the only official website for the e-Visa. It adds that no agent is needed, and that the Government of India makes no provision for emergency or express fees. Treat any site that promises faster approval for extra money with caution.
Documents for the Medical Visa India UAE Residents Submit Online
The e-Medical application is document-light compared with the regular visa. You upload three items.
1. Your photograph
The portal asks for a recent, front-facing photo in JPEG format, between 10 KB and 1 MB. The photo must be square, with a plain light or white background and no shadows.
2. Your passport bio page
Upload a scan of the page showing your photo and personal details, as a PDF between 10 KB and 300 KB. The portal says unclear uploads can lead to rejection.
3. A letter from the Indian hospital
This is the document that decides whether your application succeeds. The portal requires a copy of a letter from the hospital in India, on its letterhead, that includes the tentative date of admission or treatment. It must name the patient and give the patient’s nationality and passport number.
The letter is also uploaded as a PDF between 10 KB and 300 KB. All documents must be in English.
Step-by-Step: Applying for the e-Medical Visa
The official process has four stages, and the portal estimates the form takes 10 to 15 minutes once your documents are ready.
- Apply online. Use the official e-Visa site and upload your photo and passport page.
- Pay the fee. Payment is by credit or debit card or a payment wallet. The fee depends on your country or territory, and the portal adds a 3% bank transaction charge on the applicable fee for card payments.
- Receive your ETA. The ETA is sent to your email. Check that the status shows “GRANTED” before you travel.
- Fly to India. Carry a printout of the ETA. The visa is stamped on your passport at the immigration check post.
Timing rules. For e-Medical and e-Medical Attendant visas, you can apply at least four days before your arrival date and up to 120 days in advance. The fee must be paid at least four days before travel, or the application will not be processed.
Fees. The fee is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected. The portal states that no fee applies beyond the processing fee. Because amounts are country-specific, look up the current figure for your passport on the official fee chart instead of relying on third-party websites.
Validity, Entries and Limits of the Medical Visa India UAE Residents Receive
Here is where reading the official page carefully pays off. The portal’s FAQ says an e-Medical Visa is valid for 60 days from your first arrival in India, with multiple entries allowed within that period.
However, another section of the same page lists some medical subcategories (e-M1 V and e-M3 V, and the attendant versions) as valid for one year from arrival. Because the portal shows both figures, do not assume. Check the validity printed on your own ETA before booking a return date.
Some limits apply regardless of duration:
- The e-Visa cannot be extended or converted into another visa type.
- It is not valid for protected, restricted or cantonment areas, which need separate permission.
- It is not available for employment, and journalism or NGO activity is also excluded.
If your treatment may run long, the regular visa described below may be the safer choice for a medical visa India UAE residents expect to extend.
Medical Attendant Visas for Family Members
Many patients travel with a spouse, child or relative. India handles this with an e-Medical Attendant Visa, which is granted only for travel as an attendant to an e-Medical Visa holder.
The portal states that only two e-Medical Attendant Visas are granted against one e-Medical Visa. Each attendant needs their own passport, and the document list for the attendant application is just the passport bio page and photograph.
If your child is a minor, the portal says to apply for a separate e-Visa for the child. Their passport must also be valid for at least six months from the arrival date.
Under the regular route, the Indian Embassy’s guidance says an attendant visa is granted co-terminus with the patient’s Medical Visa. It may be given to a spouse, children or blood relatives. The BLS service centre, which handles applications in the UAE, states a maximum of two medical attendants.
Regular Medical Visa Through the Embassy and Consulate
The regular route to a medical visa India UAE residents can use suits patients who are not eligible for the e-visa, or who expect a long course of treatment. It is not delivered by email. Applicants in the UAE apply online at the Indian visa portal, then submit a signed printout at a BLS International centre.
BLS is the authorised outsourcing partner for the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai. The Indian Embassy’s guidance for the medical visa India UAE residents request this way lists:
- Two recent passport-size photographs (51 x 51 mm).
- The original passport and a photocopy, including the visa page.
- A referral letter or preliminary medical advice from a hospital in the UAE, recommending specialised treatment abroad.
- A letter from the Indian hospital indicating an appointment or willingness to treat.
BLS adds details for Dubai applicants. The Indian hospital letter should be addressed to the Consulate General of India, Dubai, on letterhead with a stamp and signature. It should state the type and duration of treatment, plus the patient’s and attendant’s names, nationality and passport numbers. The UAE doctor’s letter should name the Indian doctor, the hospital address and the appointment date.
BLS also states that payments at its centres are accepted in cash only. Check the BLS fee page before you go, because service charges are separate from the government visa fee.
Duration. According to the Embassy, the initial period is six months or the period of treatment. Unlike the e-visa, a regular medical visa can be extended inside India with supporting medical documents. If the visa exceeds 180 days, you must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) within 14 days of arrival.
Arriving in India: Airports, Biometrics and Health Rules
E-visa holders must enter through the designated airports or seaports on the official list. Major options include Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram. You can leave through any authorised immigration check post.
On arrival, your biometrics are captured at immigration, and the visa is stamped on your passport. Travel on the same passport you used to apply. If you renew your passport, carry both the old and the new one.
The Government of India also provides an online e-Arrival card. Foreigners can complete it within 72 hours before arrival. The portal notes this is arrival information and not a visa.
One health rule matters for some travellers. Anyone arriving within six days of leaving a yellow fever endemic country must carry the original vaccination certificate. Ask your hospital’s international desk if your route involves such a country.
Getting the Right Hospital Letter
Your letter is the centre of every medical visa India UAE residents apply for. Request it only after the hospital has reviewed your medical records and confirmed it can treat you.
Check these points before you upload it:
- Your name matches your passport exactly.
- Your nationality and passport number are correct.
- It is on official hospital letterhead.
- It includes a tentative admission or treatment date.
- For the regular visa, it carries a stamp and signature, and states the treatment type and duration.
The official portal also lists NABH, the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, among the bodies whose recognised hospitals can issue medical certificates in certain visa situations. Ask any hospital you consider about its accreditation, and verify the answer with the accrediting body.
Common Mistakes That Delay a Medical Visa India UAE Residents Apply For
The portal itself points to several avoidable problems. Most are easy to prevent when you prepare your medical visa India UAE residents file carefully.
- Unclear uploads. Blurry passport scans or photos that break the specifications can lead to rejection.
- Data errors. You are responsible for discrepancies in name, nationality, passport number or date of birth. Check every field before final submission.
- Late payment. Fees paid less than four days before travel are not processed.
- Wrong passport. You must travel on the passport named in the ETA.
- Unofficial websites. The government says the official portal is the only site for e-Visa applications, and agents are not needed.
- Repeat payments. If payment seems to fail, check the status on the portal before paying again. The portal says a gap is needed between attempts, and duplicate charges are refunded after reconciliation.
If your ETA has a mistake, the e-Visa support centre can be reached at indian-evisa@gov.in or +91 82 7808 7808. The portal advises contacting them at least 24 hours before your journey.
If Treatment Takes Longer Than Planned
E-visas cannot be extended or converted. The portal does allow one exception in specific cases: a foreigner who falls ill after entering India on an e-visa and needs specialised treatment may be eligible for conversion to a Medical visa, provided a medical certificate is obtained from a recognised hospital. Eligibility conditions apply, so speak to your hospital’s international patient team and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office early.
When the plan involves multiple stages, such as surgery followed by months of rehabilitation, many families prefer to start with the regular visa. It can be extended inside India with supporting medical documents, as the Embassy’s guidance explains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any UAE resident get the e-Medical Visa?
No. Eligibility follows your passport. UAE passport holders are on the official list, and other residents must hold a passport from a listed country.
Do I need a letter from a UAE doctor?
For the regular visa, yes: the Embassy’s guidance and BLS both require a referral letter or medical documents from a UAE hospital. The e-Medical Visa portal asks for the Indian hospital’s letter.
How early should I apply?
For the e-Medical Visa, at least four days before arrival and up to 120 days in advance. Allow extra time for the hospital to issue its letter.
How many family members can come with me?
Two attendants under the e-Visa system. BLS also states a maximum of two attendants for regular applications.
Can I get a visa on arrival for treatment?
The portal says visa on arrival is limited to certain nationalities, and for UAE nationals only those who previously obtained an e-Visa or regular visa. For other travellers, it says to wait for the ETA grant before travelling. Do not plan treatment travel around it.
Is the visa fee refundable if my plans change?
No. The e-Visa fee is non-refundable, whether the application is granted or rejected.
Sources
This guide is based on the following official sources, which you should consult for the latest rules:
- Government of India e-Visa portal: eligibility, documents, validity and FAQs
- Embassy of India, UAE: Medical and Medical Attendant Visa requirements
- Consulate General of India, Dubai: Medical and Medical Attendant Visa
- BLS International UAE: medical visa document requirements (Dubai)
- Bureau of Immigration, India
Plan Your Treatment With Confidence
A well-prepared medical visa India UAE residents application is the strongest start to your care. If you need help comparing hospitals or requesting an invitation letter, contact our patient team, explore our treatment options in India, or review our list of hospitals.
This article is general information, not legal, immigration or medical advice. Visa rules are set by the Government of India and can change without notice. Always confirm requirements on the official portals before you apply.