Ayush visa vs medical visa for India — what is the difference?
By Rohan Mehta (Rohan Mehta is a medical tourism researcher and health journalist based in Delhi. He has reported on hospital tourism across Thailand, Turkey, South Korea and Central Europe, covering procedural costs, accreditation standards and practical logistics for Indian patients travelling abroad.) · Published · Last updated · 8 min read
A clear 2026 comparison of India's Ayush visa and medical visa — what each is for, the new e-Ayush option, attendant rules, validity, and which one a patient needs.
Quick answer
The medical visa (Med) is for conventional, allopathic treatment at recognised Indian hospitals. The Ayush (AY) visa, introduced more recently, is for treatment and wellness under India's traditional systems — Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. Both have attendant categories for accompanying family, and both now have e-visa versions. Choose based on the type of treatment you are coming for.
What is the Ayush visa?
The Ayush visa is a dedicated category for foreign nationals coming to India for therapeutic care, wellness and yoga under the Ayush systems of medicine. 'Ayush' stands for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy — India's officially recognised traditional and alternative systems, overseen by the Ministry of Ayush.
It exists in four forms: the Ayush Visa (AY-1) for the patient, the Ayush Attendant Visa (AY-2) for accompanying family or attendants, and the electronic versions, e-Ayush and e-Ayush Attendant. The category was created to formalise India's growing wellness and traditional-medicine tourism — covering treatment at recognised Ayush hospitals and wellness centres, yoga and naturopathy programmes, panchakarma and similar therapeutic stays. The e-Ayush option is part of India's broader e-visa programme, which covers a large and growing list of countries.
What is the medical visa?
The medical visa (Med visa) is the long-established route for foreign patients seeking conventional medical treatment in India — surgery, organ transplants, oncology, cardiac care, orthopaedics and other allopathic treatment at recognised, reputed hospitals. India is a major medical-tourism destination precisely because of this established pathway and the quality and affordability of its private hospitals.
The medical visa typically requires a letter or appointment from the treating Indian hospital. It also has an attendant category — the Medical Attendant visa — for family members accompanying the patient, usually capped at a small number of attendants tied to the patient's visa. Like Ayush, a medical e-visa option exists for eligible nationalities for shorter, more straightforward cases, alongside the regular paper visa for longer or complex treatment.
Key differences between Ayush and medical visa
- Type of treatment: Ayush covers traditional systems (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy); the medical visa covers conventional/allopathic treatment.
- Where you go: Ayush is for recognised Ayush hospitals and wellness centres; the medical visa is for recognised allopathic hospitals.
- Attendants: both allow accompanying attendants/family on a co-terminus attendant visa (AY-2 for Ayush, Medical Attendant for medical), usually limited to about two persons at a time.
- e-visa option: both have e-visa versions (e-Ayush and e-Medical) for eligible countries, alongside the regular paper visa.
The core distinction is simply the kind of treatment. Validity and entry conditions are set by the government and can change, so confirm the current terms on the official Indian visa portal before applying.
Validity and entries
For the e-Ayush and e-Ayush Attendant visas, the typical validity is around 60 days from arrival with multiple (commonly up to three) entries — suited to wellness programmes, yoga courses and shorter therapeutic stays. The regular (paper) Ayush visa can be issued for longer durations for extended treatment, structured similarly to the medical visa.
The medical visa is generally granted with a validity and number of entries appropriate to the treatment plan, often allowing multiple entries for follow-up care, with extensions possible in genuine cases through the local FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office). Because exact durations are policy-driven and depend on nationality and case, always verify the current validity on the official portal rather than relying on a fixed figure.
Who should apply for which?
Apply for the Ayush visa if you are coming for Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, panchakarma, Unani, Siddha or homeopathy treatment or a structured wellness programme at a recognised centre. Apply for the medical visa if you are coming for conventional treatment — surgery, transplants, cancer care, cardiac procedures and the like — at an allopathic hospital.
Accompanying family should apply for the matching attendant category (AY-2 for Ayush patients, Medical Attendant for medical patients), which is tied to and expires with the patient's visa. Choosing the wrong category can cause problems at immigration and during any extension, so match the visa precisely to the actual treatment. A tourist visa is not appropriate for treatment and can lead to complications.
Documents you will typically need
For both visas, expect to provide a valid passport, a recent photo, and supporting documents about the treatment. The Ayush patient (AY-1 / e-Ayush) usually needs a letter or confirmation from the recognised Indian Ayush hospital or wellness centre; the attendant (AY-2 / e-Ayush Attendant) generally does not need the hospital letter, as their visa derives from the patient's.
The medical visa similarly requires a letter or appointment from the treating Indian hospital, often along with details of the medical condition and the proposed treatment. Requirements differ by nationality and route (e-visa vs paper), and supporting financial or accommodation details may be requested, so check the official portal's checklist for your exact case rather than relying on a generic list.
Registration and on-arrival formalities
Patients on medical visas (and sometimes longer Ayush stays) may need to register with the FRRO within a set period of arrival, depending on the visa duration and nationality. The hospital or wellness centre usually assists with this. Attendants registered alongside the patient follow the same process.
Keep all paperwork — the hospital letter, visa printout, and proof of treatment — accessible, as immigration and the FRRO may ask for it. Plan arrival and treatment dates so they fit comfortably within the visa validity, and consult the treating institution about extensions early if the treatment is likely to run long, since extensions must be sought before the visa expires.
Relevance for Indian travel professionals
For Indian travel agents, hospitals and wellness centres serving inbound patients, the distinction matters operationally: medical-tourism patients should be guided to the medical visa, while wellness, yoga and Ayurveda guests should use the Ayush route — and accompanying relatives to the correct attendant category. Advising the right visa avoids entry refusals, FRRO issues and trip disruption.
The launch of e-Ayush makes inbound wellness travel smoother to package, since eligible nationals can apply online without visiting a mission. Keep the official Indian visa portal bookmarked, as the country eligibility list and validity terms are periodically updated. Note that these are inbound categories for foreign visitors — FlightGPT primarily serves outbound Indian travellers, but understanding these visas helps professionals advise inbound guests correctly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an Ayush visa and a medical visa?
The Ayush visa is for treatment under India's traditional systems — Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy — and wellness programmes. The medical visa is for conventional, allopathic treatment such as surgery or cancer care at recognised hospitals. Choose based on the treatment type.
Is there an e-visa for Ayush treatment?
Yes. The e-Ayush visa and e-Ayush Attendant visa are part of India's e-visa programme for eligible nationalities, allowing online application without visiting a mission. A regular paper Ayush visa is also available, typically for longer treatment durations. Verify eligibility on the official portal.
How long is the e-Ayush visa valid?
The e-Ayush and e-Ayush Attendant visas are typically valid for around 60 days from arrival with multiple (commonly up to three) entries, suited to wellness and shorter therapeutic stays. Exact validity is set by the government, so confirm the current terms on the official Indian visa portal.
Can family accompany a patient on these visas?
Yes. Both categories have an attendant visa — AY-2 (or e-Ayush Attendant) for Ayush patients and the Medical Attendant visa for medical patients. These are co-terminus with the patient's visa and usually limited to about two accompanying persons at a time.
Which visa do I need for an Ayurveda or panchakarma retreat?
The Ayush visa, since Ayurveda and panchakarma fall under India's traditional medicine systems. Apply as the patient (AY-1 or e-Ayush) with confirmation from the recognised Ayush centre. Accompanying family should apply for the AY-2 / e-Ayush Attendant category.
Do I need a hospital letter for the Ayush visa?
The Ayush patient (AY-1 / e-Ayush) generally needs a letter or confirmation from the recognised Indian Ayush hospital or wellness centre. The attendant (AY-2 / e-Ayush Attendant) usually does not, since their visa derives from the patient's. Check the official checklist for your case.
Can I use a medical visa for yoga or wellness treatment?
No — wellness, yoga and traditional-medicine treatment should use the Ayush visa, while the medical visa is for conventional allopathic care. Applying under the wrong category can cause problems at immigration, so match the visa to the actual treatment you are coming for.
Are these visas relevant to Indian citizens?
These are inbound visas for foreign nationals coming to India for treatment, not for Indian citizens travelling abroad. They matter to Indian hospitals, wellness centres and travel professionals serving inbound patients, who should guide guests to the correct category and attendant visa.