IMTA recommends streamlining of Medical Visa norms to boost Medical Tourism to India

The Indian Medical Travel Association (IMTA) has apprised the concerned ministries of the Government of India (GoI) about the issues regarding Medical Visa. It has also requested them to modify the norms to make it an enabler for growth of medical value travel to India.

The GoI’s initiative to encourage growth of medical value travel to India, M Visa - Medical Visa was introduced in 2005, but in the last five years few overseas patients have chosen to apply for Medical Visas as the scheme has inherent flaws that actually hassle the foreign patients who avail of it. Majority of foreigners coming to India for medical treatments have been applying for a Tourist Visa and not opting for M Visa, because Medical Visa norms make it mandatory for them to register with FRRO office within 14 days of the arrival in India.

The patients who come on M Visa have to seek the Indian hospital's help to go FRRO office and comply with the procedures and this puts strain on the hospital's resources. Therefore the hospitals have been often advising the potential patients not to apply for M Visa and opt for Tourist Visa only.