More than 18.11 lakh foreign nationals travelled to India on medical tourism-related visas between 2023 and 2025, reflecting the scale of overseas travel for healthcare and wellness services. The government said it has expanded visa access and introduced measures to make medical travel easier for foreign patients.
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Friday, said 18,11,950 foreign nationals visited India under medical tourism-related visa categories between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025. The figures were based on data provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Medical Visa and e-Medical Visa holders accounted for 17,51,088 visitors, representing nearly 97 per cent of the total medical tourism-related arrivals during the three-year period. Another 56,908 people travelled under Medical Attendant and e-Medical Attendant visa categories.
India also received 3,375 foreign nationals under AYUSH and e-AYUSH visas, while 579 visitors entered under e-AYUSH Attendant visas. Patel said medical tourism is a rapidly growing sector with global potential and is being supported through initiatives involving the government and private sector.
E-Medical Visa Access Expanded
The government has eased e-Medical visa rules to facilitate treatment-related travel to India. The validity of the visa has been increased from 60 days to one year, while the number of permitted entries has been expanded from three to multiple entries.
The e-Medical visa facility has also been extended to nationals of 176 countries, widening access for overseas patients seeking treatment in India. The e-Visa regime separately covers AYUSH treatment through dedicated e-AYUSH and e-AYUSH Attendant visa categories.
Emergency Visa Support
Indian Missions and Posts abroad provide emergency visa services for people requiring urgent medical travel to India. Medical and AYUSH visa applications can be expedited in emergency cases, subject to prescribed conditions, while Indian embassies and consulates have made helpline numbers available for assistance.
The Ministry of Tourism primarily handles the promotion of medical and wellness tourism, while the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare supports the sector through coordination and stakeholder consultations. These efforts involve government departments, private hospitals and organisations including NATHEALTH, FICCI and the Services Export Promotion Council.
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