India introduced the Medical Visa in June 2005. In the last many years, India has become a leading destination for Medical Tourists, especially those from low- and middle-income countries. Bangladesh has accounted for more than 70% of the medical visas issued by India in the last few years, and because of the unrest there in 2024, the number of medical visas issued by India reduced by over 20% in 2024.
Medical tourism, also known as medical travel or global healthcare, refers to the growing trend of patients travelling internationally for healthcare services, including elective procedures and complex surgeries. India has become a top destination due to its highly trained doctors, many of whom have international experience, and world-class medical facilities equipped with advanced technology. According to the Ministry of Tourism, English-speaking medical professionals, exceptional nursing care, and affordable yet high-quality treatment make India an attractive choice for patients seeking excellent healthcare with luxury amenities at competitive costs. India has been ranked 10th in the Medical Tourism Index (MTI) for 2020-21 out of 46 destinations in the world by the Medical Tourism Association.
To facilitate medical tourism, the Government of India started providing a Medical Visa (Med Visa) in 2005 for foreign nationals seeking treatment in recognized hospitals and specialized healthcare centres. This visa is granted for up to one year or the duration of treatment, whichever is less, and can be extended based on medical necessity. Additionally, a Medical Attendant Visa (Med X Visa) is available for up to two attendants accompanying the patient, depending on the nationality. For those opting for traditional treatments like Ayurveda, Yoga, and other Indian wellness systems, India also offers the Ayush Visa, along with an Ayush Attendant Visa for caregivers. These streamlined visa policies ensure that international patients receive seamless access to India’s advanced and holistic healthcare services. India has also initiated an e-Visa scheme to ease the process of issuance of Medical Visas for foreigners coming to India for their medical treatment.
In this story, we look at the number of medical visas issued by India over the years.
Data Medical Visas is available to download from Dataful.
Close to 6 lakh medical visas were issued by India in 2023
From approximately 38,000 medical visas issued in 2012, the number of such visas grew steadily, reaching nearly ten times that figure by 2019, with around 3.76 lakh visas issued in that year. The data for 2018 is not readily available in the public domain. However, 2020 saw a sharp decline to less than half of the 2019 figure due to international travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the ongoing impact of the pandemic, medical visa issuance nearly doubled in 2021, reaching 3.38 lakh. By 2022, the numbers surpassed pre-pandemic levels, exceeding 4 lakh visas. In 2023, a record 5.97 lakh medical visas were issued. However, in 2024, the figure declined by 22%, dropping to 4.64 lakh.
This decline in medical visas issued by India in 2024 can be primarily attributed to political unrest in Bangladesh, a country that historically accounts for the largest share of India’s medical tourism inflow. As per various reports, in August 2024, escalating tensions led India to shut down India Visa Application centres indefinitely due to the protests. India also resorted to issuing visas in a limited manner for medical and emergency purposes. This disruption resulted in a significant reduction of Bangladeshi patients seeking medical treatment in India which could have contributed to the decline in the overall number of medical visas issued in 2024. Other factors which could have resulted in the decline could be rising airfares, global economic challenges, and visa restrictions.
Majority of India’s medical tourists are from neighbouring countries, Middle East and Africa
The majority of India’s medical tourists are from the neighbouring Asian, Middle Eastern and some African nations, many of which are developing or lower-middle-income economies. These countries often face challenges such as limited healthcare infrastructure, high medical costs, and shortages of specialized medical professionals, making India an attractive destination for affordable and high-quality treatment. Additionally, many of these nations share geographical proximity with India, easing travel logistics for medical tourists.
The top 20 countries based on the total number of medical visas issued (including e-visas) between 2019 and 2024 accounted for about 95% of the total medical visas issued each year. These include countries like Bangladesh, the USA, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Iraq, and Yemen, among others. The top 10 countries accounted for close to 90% each year. In fact, Bangladesh alone accounted for more than 70% of medical visas issued by India in the last few years.
The number of visas issued for Bangladesh nationals dropped by 39% in 2024, compared to 2023. Despite the restrictions in 2024, Bangladesh accounted for 70% of the medical tourist visas issued that year.
Until 2021, Afghanistan accounted for a significant share of medical tourists in India. However, between 2022 and 2024, only one Afghan tourist was provided a medical visa. This sharp decline is due to India’s decision to invalidate all previously issued physical visas for Afghan nationals who were not already in India following the Taliban’s takeover. Afghan nationals can now only apply for e-Emergency X-Misc. Visa.
Yemen also saw a decline of more than 60% in 2024 despite a gradual rise in the previous years. Other countries with a sharp decline in 2024 include Somalia, Oman, and Nigeria.
On the other hand, countries like Iraq, Sudan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kenya recorded an increase in medical visas in 2024. Tourists from Chad and Jordan doubled and tripled respectively in 2024, though the share is relatively less.
Foreign Tourist Arrivals for medical purpose is yet to recover post pandemic
While the Ministry of External Affairs reports on the number of medical visas, the Ministry of Tourism counts the number of arrivals of foreign tourists/visitors to India for a specific purpose, and not the number of persons. For instance, if a person visits India more than once, each arrival is counted as a new arrival.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the trend in foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) for medical purposes was similar to that of medical visas issued. The number of arrivals saw a steady rise until 2019 before experiencing a sharp decline in 2020, dropping to below 2 lakh arrivals due to the pandemic. However, since then, the numbers have increased significantly, tripling by 2023 to reach 6.35 lakh. Despite this recovery, the 2023 figure remains slightly lower than the 2019 peak of 6.97 lakh medical tourist arrivals.
‘Medical Value Travel’ sector is projected to reach $13.42 billion by 2026
India is making concerted efforts to position itself as a global leader in medical tourism. India has already been implementing schemes and programs to boost the Medical Value Travel (MVT) sector, which is experiencing remarkable growth. Valued at $2.89 billion in 2020, the market is projected to reach $13.42 billion by 2026, fuelled by a steady rise in foreign patients seeking advanced medical care at competitive prices. Some of these measures are:
- To streamline the process of obtaining medical visas, the Government of India has introduced an e-Visa scheme, making it easier for foreign patients to seek treatment in the country. Under this initiative, most e-Medical Visas are processed and issued within 72 hours of receiving the application, significantly reducing bureaucratic delays and ensuring a hassle-free experience for international medical travellers.
- To facilitate seamless access to medical services, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced the Advantage Healthcare India portal. This “One-Stop” portal provides comprehensive information for international patients seeking medical treatment or wellness services in India.
- Foreign nationals looking for healthcare options can access details on accredited hospitals, treatment specialities, visa procedures, and travel assistance by visiting ‘Heal in India’ portal.
- The Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism. It focuses on developing India as a wellness destination, strengthening the medical and wellness tourism ecosystem, enabling digitalization, enhancing accessibility for medical travellers, promoting wellness tourism, and establishing a robust governance and institutional framework.
In addition to these, the Union Budget 2025-26 underscores this commitment by prioritizing medical tourism as a key growth driver. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced in her budget speech that the government, in collaboration with the private sector, will actively promote medical tourism and the “Heal in India” initiative.
