Visa exemption for foreigners seeking medical treatment in India

Dubai - According to a press statement issued by the Consul General of India in Dubai, the new visa policy has several salient features.

The government has liberalised the medical visa policy in India by exempting foreigners from getting their primary visa converted into medical visa. With the new policy, foreigners can now obtain indoor treatment for up to 180 days for seeking admission in a hospital or treatment centre owing to illness on his or her primary visa.
According to a press statement issued by the Consul General of India in Dubai, the new visa policy has several salient features which allow foreigners to seek treatment on their primary visa. However, the treatment of diseases which require organ transplant shall be permitted only on a medical visa.
As per the new exemptions under the liberalised medical visa policy, a foreigner suffering from a minor medical condition needing only OPD consultation, and or treatment may take treatment at any hospital or a treatment centre on his or her primary visa.
In case of illness which requires indoor medical treatment of fewer than 180 days or the stay stipulation period, as per his or her primary visa or the duration of his or her primary visa, whichever is earlier, is permitted to take such indoor medical treatment. However, this is subject to several conditions and is not extended to Pakistani nationals.
For longer treatment periods, the indoor medical treatment can be availed by the foreigner in a government facility including - the Indian Council of Medical Research, National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, Medical Council of India, and a Central Government Health Scheme recognised hospital or treatment centre.
Secondly, the hospital authorities concerned will provide the details of the foreigner in a prescribed format along with the details of the indoor medical treatment to be taken by the foreigner, duly certified by the treating doctor to the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) concerned within 24 hours after the admission of the foreigner in the hospital for such indoor medical treatment.
A copy of the confirmation received about the submission of the details to FRRO concerned may be given by the hospital authorities to the foreigner for his or her record.
Also, the indoor medical treatment may also cover treatment for diseases which the foreigner may have been suffering even before his or her entry into India but which has come to the notice of the treating doctor during the medical diagnosis necessitating indoor medical treatment in the hospital.
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