Indian Medical Visa from Australia: Complete Patient Guide

India offers advanced and affordable treatment in specialties such as cardiac care, oncology, orthopedics, neurology, organ transplantation, and other specialized medical services. This guide explains the key requirements and application process for Australian patients.

What Is an Indian Medical Visa?

An Indian Medical Visa is issued to foreign nationals travelling to India for medical consultation, diagnosis, surgery, hospitalization, or specialized treatment. Australian citizens are eligible to apply for India's e-Medical Visa through the official Government of India e-Visa system, subject to the applicable requirements. A family member or caregiver accompanying the patient may apply for a Medical Attendant Visa or e-Medical Attendant Visa, subject to the applicable rules.

Quick Reference Table

Eligibility

Australian citizens travelling to India for genuine medical treatment can apply for an Indian Medical Visa. Eligible Australian passport holders may also apply for an Indian e-Medical Visa through the official Government of India e-Visa portal.

It may be used for:

• Cardiac treatment and surgery
• Cancer treatment
• Orthopedic surgery
• Neurology and neurosurgery
• Organ transplantation
• Kidney and liver treatment
• Spine treatment
• Specialized medical procedures

The final visa approval, validity, and conditions are determined by the Indian authorities.

Documents Required

Patient Documents

• Valid Australian passport
• Passport copy
• Recent passport-size photographs
• Completed visa application form
• Medical reports
• Medical referral, where applicable
• Indian hospital invitation/appointment letter
• Financial documents, if requested
• Any additional documents requested by the Indian Mission or visa application centre

For an e-Medical Visa, applicants must upload the passport bio page, recent photograph, and the required hospital letter/document according to the official e-Visa specifications.

Medical Documents

Provide your latest medical records, such as:

• Doctor's reports
• Blood tests
• CT/MRI/X-ray reports
• ECG/Echo reports
• Biopsy reports
• Prescriptions
• Previous discharge summaries
• Previous surgery records

Complete medical records help the Indian hospital recommend the appropriate doctor and treatment.

Medical Attendant Visa to India from Australia

If you need a family member or caregiver to accompany you during your treatment in India, they may apply for a Medical Attendant Visa or e-Medical Attendant Visa, subject to the applicable rules.

The attendant may be required to provide:

• Valid passport
• Visa application
• Patient's medical/visa documents
• Hospital invitation letter
• Proof of relationship, where applicable
• Other supporting documents requested by the Indian Mission or visa application centre

For an e-Medical Visa holder, up to two e-Medical Attendant Visas may be granted against one e-Medical Visa.

Medical Attendant Requirement: Patients travelling to India for medical surgery or treatment may travel with an attendant where required for their care. The accompanying person should apply for the appropriate Medical Attendant Visa or e-Medical Attendant Visa, subject to the applicable visa requirements.

Step by Step Application Process from Australia for Indian Medical Visa

Step 1: Share Medical Reports

Send your latest medical reports to the Indian hospital or medical coordinator for review.

Step 2: Get a Medical Opinion

The hospital reviews the case and provides a preliminary treatment recommendation, doctor details, and estimated cost where applicable.

Step 3: Obtain the Hospital Letter

Receive the medical invitation/appointment letter from the Indian hospital. For an e-Medical Visa, the hospital letter should be on the hospital's letterhead and include the tentative date of admission or treatment together with the required patient details.

Step 4: Complete the Visa Application

Complete the Indian visa application through the official Government of India visa portal. For an e-Medical Visa, the application is completed online. Eligible applicants may apply at least 4 days before the date of arrival, with the e-Medical application window allowing applications up to 120 days before the proposed arrival date.

Step 5: Submit Documents

Submit the application and supporting documents according to the applicable instructions. For regular/paper visas in Australia, applicants should follow the current instructions of the relevant Indian Mission and VFS Global visa service.

Step 6: Pay the Visa Fee

Pay the applicable visa fee according to the current Government of India fee schedule and any applicable service or bank charges.

Step 7: Receive Your Visa

Once approved, check your:

• Name
• Passport number
• Visa type
• Validity
• Number of entries

before travelling.

Visa Fee Structure – 2026

For Australian passport holders, the current Government of India e-Visa fee schedule lists:

A 3% bank transaction charge is additionally applicable to the applicable e-Visa fee.

For a regular/paper Medical Visa, the applicable fee depends on the visa category and duration. Applicants should confirm the current Australian-dollar fee and applicable VFS/service charges before applying.

Fees may change, so applicants should confirm the latest amount and payment procedure before applying.

Indian High Commission, Consulates & Visa Services in Australia

For Australian patients travelling to India for medical treatment, India has a High Commission in Canberra and Consulates General in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Australia also has Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The current 2026 application system requires applicants to select the Indian Mission according to their Australian residential jurisdiction and submit through the appropriate ICAC.

Important 2026 update: From 1 July 2026, biometric enrolment is mandatory for all Indian visa applications in Australia, and applicants must book an appointment before visiting an Indian Consular Application Centre. Walk-in submissions are not accepted.

1. High Commission of India, Canberra

• Address: High Commission of India
  3–5 Moonah Place
  Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600
  Australia
• Telephone (Main): +61 2 6273 3999, +61 2 6273 3774
• Telephone (After-hours): +61 2 6273 5479
• Email (Consular): consular@hcindia-au.org
• Jurisdiction: Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade currently lists the Indian High Commission in Canberra at Unit 1-4, 15 Tench Street, Kingston, ACT 2604, while the High Commission's own contact details continue to reference the Moonah Place diplomatic premises. Applicants should verify the current physical submission location with the ICAC before visiting.

2. Consulate General of India, Sydney

• Address: Consulate General of India
  Level 10, 190 George Street
  Sydney, NSW 2000
  Australia
• Telephone (Main): +61 2 9223 9500
• Email (General): indianc@indianconsulatesydney.org
• Email (Consular): ccons@indianconsulatesydney.org
• Email (Trade & Investment): trade@indianconsulatesydney.org
• Jurisdiction: New South Wales and South Australia (via the Sydney and Adelaide ICACs respectively)

3. Consulate General of India, Melbourne

• Address: Consulate General of India
  344 St Kilda Road
  Melbourne, VIC 3004
  Australia
• Telephone: +61 3 9682 7836
• Email (Head of Chancery): hoc.melbourne@mea.gov.in
• Jurisdiction: Victoria and Tasmania (via the Melbourne ICAC)

4. Consulate General of India, Perth

• Address: Consulate General of India
  Level 6, 12 St Georges Terrace
  Perth, WA 6000
  Australia
• Telephone: +61 8 9221 4205
• Fax: +61 8 9221 7039
• Jurisdiction: Western Australia and the Northern Territory (via the Perth ICAC)

Indian Consular Application Centres in Australia – 2026

The current Indian visa application system in Australia has six Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs), each mapped to a specific Indian Mission for jurisdiction purposes:

The current VFS jurisdiction table specifically assigns Queensland to India–Brisbane, even though the diplomatic mission list may describe India's Brisbane representation differently. Applicants should therefore follow the current Indian Mission jurisdiction shown on the Government application/VFS system.

ICAC Locations

• Adelaide: Suite 8.01, Level 8, 111 Gawler Place, Adelaide, SA 5000
• Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney: current ICAC centre for each city; confirm the exact address with the VFS Global booking system before visiting.

All six centres currently operate Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.

Indian Visa Application Services in Australia

Australian applicants should use the current official Indian visa application instructions and the designated VFS Global service arrangements applicable to their state or territory. The relevant Indian Mission/Consulate jurisdiction depends on where the applicant resides in Australia. Applicants should not send visa applications directly to an Indian Consulate unless the current instructions specifically permit it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Entering passport details incorrectly
• Submitting incomplete or outdated medical reports
• Applying without the required hospital documentation
• Choosing the wrong visa category
• Uploading unclear photographs or documents
• Not checking current vaccination requirements
• Booking non-refundable travel before visa approval
• Paying unauthorized agents promising faster approval
• Not checking the latest Indian Mission/VFS requirements

Before Travelling to India

Once your visa is approved, make sure you:

• Check all details on your visa
• Carry your passport and visa
• Carry your original medical reports
• Keep your hospital appointment/invitation letter
• Confirm your hospital appointment
• Check applicable vaccination requirements
• Keep important medical documents in your hand luggage

Frequently Asked Questions By Australians about Medical Visa to India

Can Australian citizens apply for an Indian Medical Visa from Australia to India?

Yes. Australian citizens travelling from Australia to India for medical treatment can apply for an Indian Medical Visa or, where eligible, an Indian e-Medical Visa.

Is the Indian e-Medical Visa available for Australian patients travelling from Australia to India?

Yes. Eligible Australian passport holders can use India's e-Visa system, which includes the eMedical Visa category.

What documents do Australian patients need for an Indian Medical Visa from Australia?

Australian patients should prepare their passport, completed Indian visa application, photographs, proof of Australian residence, medical reports, Indian hospital invitation/acceptance letter and other supporting documents required by the relevant Indian Mission.

Do Australian patients need medical reports for an Indian Medical Visa?

Yes. Australian patients should provide relevant medical reports from their Australian doctor or hospital explaining the condition and need for treatment in India.

Do Australian patients need an Indian hospital invitation letter for an Indian Medical Visa?

Yes. Australian patients travelling to India for treatment should obtain the appropriate Indian hospital appointment, acceptance or medical invitation letter before applying.

What should an Indian hospital letter contain for an Australian Medical Visa applicant?

The Indian hospital letter should correctly identify the Australian patient and provide information about the proposed consultation, treatment, admission or medical procedure. Details should match the patient's passport.

Can an Australian family member accompany a patient to India on an Indian Medical Attendant Visa?

Yes. An eligible Australian family member can apply for an Indian Medical Attendant Visa when accompanying a patient travelling from Australia to India for medical treatment.

What documents does an Australian Medical Attendant need for an Indian Medical Attendant Visa?

The Australian Medical Attendant should generally provide a valid passport, completed visa application, photograph, proof of relationship with the patient, Indian hospital documentation and other documents requested by the Indian authorities.

Where should Australian patients apply for an Indian Medical Visa?

Australian patients must apply according to their residential state or territory: ACT to India–Canberra, NSW to India–Sydney, NT to India–Perth, Queensland to India–Brisbane, South Australia to India–Sydney, Tasmania to India–Melbourne, Victoria to India–Melbourne, and Western Australia to India–Perth.

Can Australian patients in Sydney apply for an Indian Medical Visa through the Indian Consulate in Sydney?

Yes. Patients residing in New South Wales fall under the India–Sydney jurisdiction and use the Sydney ICAC.

Can Australian patients in Melbourne apply for an Indian Medical Visa through the Indian Consulate in Melbourne?

Yes. Patients residing in Victoria and Tasmania fall under the India–Melbourne jurisdiction and use the Melbourne ICAC.

Can Australian patients in Perth apply for an Indian Medical Visa?

Yes. Patients residing in Western Australia and the Northern Territory fall under the India–Perth jurisdiction and use the Perth ICAC.

Can Australian patients in Brisbane apply for an Indian Medical Visa?

Yes. Queensland residents currently fall under India–Brisbane and use the Brisbane Indian Consular Application Centre.

Can Australian patients in Adelaide apply for an Indian Medical Visa?

Yes. South Australian residents fall under the India–Sydney jurisdiction but use the Adelaide ICAC for application submission.

Do Australian patients need an appointment for an Indian Medical Visa?

Yes. Under the current 2026 Australian application process, applicants must book an appointment before visiting an Indian Consular Application Centre. Walk-in submissions are not accepted.

Do Australian patients need biometrics for an Indian Medical Visa?

Yes. From 1 July 2026, biometric enrolment is mandatory for all Indian visa applications in Australia. Applicants must attend their appointment in person and provide biometrics.

Can Australian patients apply for an Indian Medical Visa online?

Yes, the application form is completed online through the Government of India system. However, a regular visa application is not completed entirely online — the applicant must still attend the appropriate ICAC for submission and biometrics. Eligible patients can separately use the e-Medical Visa system where applicable.

Can an Australian patient travel from Australia to India before the Indian Medical Visa is approved?

No. Australian patients should obtain the appropriate Indian Medical Visa or approved Indian e-Medical Visa before travelling to India for medical treatment.

Can Australian patients submit an Indian Medical Visa application at any ICAC in Australia?

No. Australian patients must use the ICAC serving their Indian Mission jurisdiction. Submitting an application at the wrong jurisdiction can result in the applicant having to complete a new application and may cause delays.

Where can Australian patients check the latest Indian Medical Visa requirements before travelling to India?

Australian patients should check the latest requirements through the High Commission of India/Indian Consulates, the official Indian Consular Application Centre system and the Government of India e-Visa portal before applying or travelling. The current Australian VFS system specifically advises applicants to confirm their Indian Mission jurisdiction and ICAC before submission.

Important Note

This information is provided for general guidance only. Visa rules, fees, documentation, processing times, health requirements, and eligibility requirements may change. Applicants should verify the latest requirements directly with the High Commission of India in Canberra, the relevant Indian Consulate, the designated VFS Global service provider, and the official Government of India visa portal before applying or travelling. Visa approval is subject to the decision of the competent Indian authorities.