Indian Medical Visa from Canada: 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 Canadian 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. Canadian 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. The High Commission of India states that a regular Medical Visa is intended for foreigners travelling to India specifically for treatment at an established, recognized or specialized hospital/treatment centre.

Quick Reference Table

Eligibility

Canadian citizens travelling to India for genuine medical treatment can apply for an Indian Medical Visa. Canadian citizens and other eligible nationals may also apply for an Indian e-Medical Visa; the High Commission of India confirms that e-Medical and e-Medical Attendant Visas are available under the e-Visa system.

A regular Medical Visa is intended for treatment of serious ailments at established, recognized or specialized hospitals/treatment centres in India. 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
• Joint replacement
• Ophthalmic treatment
• Plastic surgery
• Other serious medical conditions requiring specialized treatment

The final visa approval, validity, number of entries and conditions are determined by the competent Indian authorities.

Documents Required

Patient Documents

For a regular Medical Visa, the Consulate General of India lists the following key documents:

• Valid Canadian/foreign passport — original and copy
• Proof of address in Canada
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Medical invitation letter from the Indian hospital
• Copies of medical reports/documents regarding the proposed treatment
• Documents establishing adequate financial standing for treatment and travel in India
• Completed online visa application form
• Applicable visa and service fees
• Any additional documents requested by the Indian Mission

For an e-Medical Visa, applicants must upload the documents required by the official e-Visa portal.

Medical Documents

Provide your latest medical records, such as:

• Doctor's reports
• Medical history
• Blood tests
• CT/MRI/X-ray reports
• ECG/Echo reports
• Biopsy reports
• Prescriptions
• Previous discharge summaries
• Previous surgery records
• Specialist referrals
• Any other relevant diagnostic reports

Complete medical records help the Indian hospital understand the patient's condition and recommend the appropriate doctor and treatment. For a regular Medical Visa, Canadian applicants are specifically required to provide a letter from a registered doctor/hospital in Canada advising that specialized treatment should be carried out in India, as well as a letter from a registered hospital in India confirming the dates, place(s) and duration of treatment.

Medical Attendant Visa to India from Canada

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
• Evidence showing the need for an attendant
• Other supporting documents requested by the Indian Mission

The High Commission of India states that a maximum of two Medical Attendant Visa holders may accompany a Medical Visa patient; for e-Medical Visas, a maximum of two e-Medical Attendant Visas are permitted against one e-Medical Visa.

Medical Attendant Requirement: Patients travelling to India for major medical treatment or surgery may require an accompanying attendant depending on their medical needs. The accompanying person should apply for the appropriate Medical Attendant Visa or e-Medical Attendant Visa and provide the required supporting documents.

Step by Step Application Process from Canada for Indian Medical Visa

Step 1: Share Medical Reports

Obtain your latest medical reports and medical history from your doctor or hospital in Canada. A Canadian doctor/hospital letter recommending specialized treatment in India may be required for a regular Medical Visa.

Step 2: Get a Medical Opinion

Send your medical records to the Indian hospital or medical coordinator for review. The Indian hospital may provide a preliminary treatment recommendation, doctor details, estimated treatment cost and proposed treatment dates.

Step 3: Obtain the Hospital Letter

Receive the medical invitation/treatment letter from the Indian hospital. For a regular Medical Visa, the letter should confirm the dates, place(s) and duration of treatment.

Step 4: Complete the Visa Application

Complete the Indian visa application through the official Government of India visa portal. For an e-Medical Visa, eligible applicants may apply a minimum of 4 days before arrival, up to 120 days in advance. For a regular Medical Visa, the online form must be submitted before the printed application and documents go through the designated BLS process.

Step 5: Submit Documents

Regular Medical Visa: submit the printed application, passport and supporting documents at the designated BLS International Visa Application Centre serving your Canadian jurisdiction. e-Medical Visa: the application and documents are submitted online through the official e-Visa portal; no BLS submission is required.

Step 6: Pay the Visa Fee

Pay the applicable Government of India visa fee together with the applicable ICWF, BLS/service or bank charges, depending on the type of visa.

Step 7: Receive Your Visa

Once approved, check your:

• Name
• Passport number
• Visa type
• Validity
• Number of entries
• Conditions attached to the visa

before travelling to India.

Visa Fee Structure – 2026

Regular Medical Visa – Canadian Passport Holders. The current BLS/Consulate fee information for Canadian passport holders lists:

These amounts are currently listed by BLS for Canadian passport holders applying for Medical Visa/Medical Attendant Visa. Fees can vary for applicants holding passports of other nationalities, and are non-refundable and non-transferable according to the current BLS information.

e-Medical Visa. For Canadian citizens, the High Commission of India currently lists the e-Visa fee as e-Medical Visa: USD 80, and e-Medical Attendant Visa: USD 80. The High Commission currently states that a 2.5% bank transaction charge is additionally applicable to the e-Visa fee.

Fees may change, so applicants should confirm the latest fee before making payment.

Indian Embassy, Consulates & Visa Services in Canada

Canada has three Indian diplomatic missions: the High Commission of India, Ottawa, the Consulate General of India, Toronto, and the Consulate General of India, Vancouver. These three Indian missions together provide consular and visa services across Canada, with jurisdiction assigned by residential province, territory or postal code.

1. High Commission of India, Ottawa

• Address: High Commission of India
  10 Springfield Road
  Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1C9
  Canada
• Telephone (Main): +1 613-744-3751 to 53
• Email (Consular Section): cons.ottawa@mea.gov.in
• Email (Consular Officer): cons1.ottawa@mea.gov.in
• Jurisdiction: National Capital Region of Ottawa-Hull, Kingston, Cornwall, Hawkesbury, Arnprior, Renfrew, Perth, Prescott, Brockville, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Morrisburg, and specified areas of Quebec (postal codes beginning with J, H or K)

2. Consulate General of India, Toronto

• Address: Consulate General of India
  Suite 700, 365 Bloor Street East
  Toronto, Ontario M4W 3L4
  Canada
• Jurisdiction: Ontario (except postal codes beginning with K), Quebec (except postal codes beginning with J, H or K), Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador
• Medical Visa Contact: The Toronto Consulate provides specific Medical Visa and Medical Attendant Visa services for patients travelling to India.

Applicants should confirm their exact postal-code jurisdiction before submitting an Indian visa application.

3. Consulate General of India, Vancouver

• Address: Consulate General of India
  325 Howe Street
  Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1Z7
  Canada
• Jurisdiction: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory, and the Northwest Territories

Indian Visa Application Centres in Canada

Indian visa and consular applications are also submitted through authorised BLS International centres under the respective Indian Mission's jurisdiction. For the Toronto jurisdiction, the current Consulate information lists BLS centres in Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Winnipeg and Halifax — for example, the Toronto centre at 1–91 Oxford Street, Toronto, and the Brampton centre at 60 Gillingham Drive, Unit 401, Brampton. Applicants should always use the BLS centre applicable to their residential jurisdiction rather than choosing a centre solely based on convenience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Entering passport details incorrectly
• Submitting incomplete or outdated medical reports
• Applying without the required Indian hospital invitation letter
• Failing to provide the Canadian medical recommendation letter when required
• Failing to provide proof of financial arrangements
• Choosing the wrong visa category
• Selecting the wrong Indian Consulate jurisdiction
• Providing inconsistent information between the passport and application
• Booking non-refundable travel before visa approval
• Paying unauthorized agents promising faster approval
• Not checking the latest BLS and Indian Mission 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
• Carry evidence of financial arrangements where applicable
• Check applicable vaccination requirements
• Keep important medical documents in your hand luggage

Canada itself is not listed by India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as a Yellow Fever endemic country. However, patients travelling from or through a Yellow Fever endemic country within 6 days of arrival in India are required to carry an original valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate, subject to the applicable rules; the certificate becomes effective 10 days after vaccination and remains valid for life under the current international certificate rules.

Frequently Asked Questions By Canadians about Medical Visa to India

Can Canadian citizens apply for an Indian Medical Visa from Canada to India?

Yes. Canadian citizens travelling from Canada to India for medical treatment can apply for an Indian Medical Visa or, where eligible, an Indian e-Medical Visa. The Indian Medical Visa is intended for treatment at established, recognised or specialised hospitals in India.

Is the Indian e-Medical Visa available for Canadian patients travelling from Canada to India?

Yes. e-Medical Visa is one of the electronic visa categories currently offered by India. Eligible Canadian passport holders can apply online through India's official e-Visa system.

What documents do Canadian patients need for an Indian Medical Visa from Canada?

Canadian patients generally need a valid passport, proof of Canadian address, photograph, Indian hospital medical invitation letter, medical reports/documents concerning the treatment, proof of adequate financial standing and the completed Indian Visa Application Form.

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

Yes. Canadian patients applying for an Indian Medical Visa should provide a medical invitation letter from the Indian hospital or doctor establishing the need for treatment in India.

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

The Indian hospital letter should identify the Canadian patient and establish the need for medical treatment in India. Where an attendant is required, the hospital letter should also include the Medical Attendant's name and confirm that assistance is required.

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

Yes. Canadian patients should submit copies of their medical reports and documents relating to the disease or treatment for which they intend to travel to India.

Do Canadian patients need proof of funds for an Indian Medical Visa to India?

Yes. Canadian patients are required to provide documents establishing adequate financial standing for medical treatment and travel in India, such as appropriate financial evidence.

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

Yes. An eligible Canadian family member or attendant can apply for an Indian Medical Attendant Visa to accompany a patient travelling from Canada to India for medical treatment.

How many Canadian attendants can accompany one patient to India on an Indian Medical Visa?

A maximum of two attendants/family members can apply for an Indian Medical Attendant Visa against the patient's Medical Visa, subject to the applicable requirements.

Which Indian Embassy or Consulate should Canadian patients contact for an Indian Medical Visa?

The appropriate Indian Mission depends on the Canadian residential address/postal code. Canada is served by the High Commission of India in Ottawa and the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver.

Can Canadian patients in Ontario apply for an Indian Medical Visa through the Indian Consulate in Toronto?

Generally, yes, but Ontario is divided between the Consulate General of India, Toronto and the High Commission of India, Ottawa according to postal-code jurisdiction. Applicants with postal codes beginning with K fall under the Ottawa High Commission, while the remaining Ontario jurisdiction falls under Toronto.

Can Canadian patients in British Columbia apply for an Indian Medical Visa through the Indian Consulate in Vancouver?

Yes. Canadian patients residing in British Columbia fall under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India, Vancouver. The Vancouver jurisdiction also covers Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

Can Canadian patients in Manitoba apply for an Indian Medical Visa through the Indian Consulate in Toronto?

Yes. Manitoba is within the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of India, Toronto for consular services.

Can Canadian patients in Quebec apply for an Indian Medical Visa through the Indian Consulate in Toronto?

Yes, but Quebec is divided between the Toronto Consulate and Ottawa High Commission according to postal-code jurisdiction. Applicants should verify whether their postal code begins with J, H or K, as these postal-code groups fall under the Ottawa High Commission according to the current jurisdiction notice.

Where can Canadian patients submit an Indian Medical Visa application in Canada?

Regular Indian visa applications are submitted through the authorised BLS International application centres under the relevant Indian Mission. The exact BLS location depends on the patient's Canadian residential jurisdiction.

Can Canadian patients apply for an Indian Medical Visa online from Canada?

Yes. Eligible Canadian patients can apply online for an Indian e-Medical Visa without submitting a physical visa application through BLS, subject to India's e-Visa eligibility requirements. The Toronto Consulate confirms that e-Medical Visa is an available e-Visa category.

How long should a Canadian passport be valid for an Indian e-Medical Visa?

The Indian e-Visa instructions state that the passport should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India and at least two blank pages for immigration stamping.

Can Canadian patients travel from Canada to India before the Indian Medical Visa is approved?

No. Canadian patients should obtain the appropriate Indian Medical Visa or approved Indian e-Medical Visa before travelling to India for medical treatment. The Consulate also advises applicants not to purchase travel tickets before the visa is obtained.

Does an Indian Medical Visa guarantee entry into India for Canadian patients?

No. Acceptance of an Indian visa application does not guarantee that the visa will be granted, and the final decision regarding entry into India remains subject to Indian immigration authorities and applicable law.

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

Canadian patients should check the latest requirements with the High Commission of India in Ottawa, the Consulate General of India in Toronto, the Consulate General of India in Vancouver, the relevant BLS centre and the official Government of India e-Visa portal before applying or travelling. The correct Indian Mission must be selected according to the patient's Canadian residential jurisdiction.

Important Note

This information is provided for general guidance only. Visa rules, fees, documentation, processing times, and eligibility requirements may change. Applicants should verify the latest requirements directly with the High Commission of India in Ottawa and the official Government of India e-Visa portal before applying or travelling. Visa approval is subject to the decision of the competent Indian authorities.