India further eases medical visa regime for foreign nationals

India has announced further liberalisation of medical visa regime for foreign nationals, allowing them to get indoor treatment on their primary (original) visa.

"Now, the government of India has further liberalised the medical visa regime and permitted foreigners to get the indoor treatment on their primary (original) visa even for pre-existing diseases (except in cases of organ transplant) which the foreigner may have been suffering from even before his/her entry into India," a Home Ministry statement said on Friday.

Some foreign nationals, who are already in India on valid visas, were facing difficulties in taking medical treatment in the event of their falling ill during their stay in India and were being advised by some hospitals to get their visas converted into medical visas before admitting them, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The Indian government had already revised the procedure last year, which exempts foreigners from getting their primary visa converted into medical visa for obtaining indoor treatment by seeking admission to a hospital owing to illness for up to 180 days.

Now, a foreigner suffering from a minor medical condition, which needs only OPD consultation/treatment, may take treatment at any hospital or treatment centre on his or her primary visa, the statement said.

In case of indoor medical treatment of less than 180 days or up to the stay stipulation period, if any, on primary visa of a foreigner or the duration of his or her primary visa, whichever is earlier, a foreigner is permitted to take such indoor medical treatment subject to certain conditions, according to the statement.

Also, the indoor treatment may now be taken on primary (original) visa irrespective of the fact that the diseases, which the foreigner may have been suffering from even before his/her entry into India and even for ailments which were in his or her knowledge.

Treatment of diseases, which require organ transplant shall, however, be permitted only on a medical visa, the Home Ministry statement added.