Quick answer: If medical treatment is the purpose of your trip, confirm the appropriate medical visa route before travelling. Different provisions may apply to people already in India on another valid visa or holding OCI status. Citizens of eligible countries can apply for an e-Medical Visa on the official e-visa portal, you apply between 4 and 120 days before arrival, and you need a letter from the hospital. Up to two e-Medical Attendant Visas are granted for one patient. The portal shows conflicting validity information, so confirm it before you book. There is no single price for treatment in Navi Mumbai, so ask for a written, itemised estimate. Check a hospital’s accreditation for the exact campus, and ask which treatments carry extra legal restrictions, such as surrogacy and organ transplantation.
If you are searching from abroad for treatment, you will find plenty of pages that promise savings and few that tell you what to check. This guide covers visa and entry checks, how to verify a hospital and its doctors, how to compare written estimates, getting here, the flight home and treatments with extra legal limits. It does not rank hospitals or recommend a clinic. It is general information, not medical or legal advice. Last verified: 7 October 2026.
Questions to ask before you book
- Can you send an invitation or admission letter for my visa, and for how many attendants?
- What is the itemised written estimate, and what could change it?
- Who will perform each part of the procedure, and what are their registration and qualifications?
- What happens if there is a complication, and who bears the cost?
- What records, imaging and discharge summary will I receive, and in what format?
- Is there an interpreter, and who is my point of contact in India?
- What is the refund policy if I cancel or if the plan changes after tests?
The national Charter of Patients’ Rights, updated on 23 August 2021 and approved by the National Council for Clinical Establishments (see the charter), lists a patient’s right to information on expected costs, to see the rates charged for each service, displayed in the local language and in English, and to an itemised bill. Health is a state subject in India, so ask the hospital which rules apply to it.
Visa and entry checks
If medical treatment is the purpose of your trip, confirm the appropriate medical visa route before travelling. Different provisions may apply to people already in India on another valid visa or holding OCI status.
| Situation | What to establish |
|---|---|
| Travelling specifically for treatment | The appropriate medical visa and the hospital’s acceptance |
| Already in India on another visa | Whether treatment is permitted under that visa’s conditions |
| OCI cardholder | The applicable entry status and any treatment-specific restrictions |
| Organ transplantation | Separate medical, legal and immigration requirements |
For people already in India, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a 2019 statement, as reported by Medical Dialogues, that a foreigner with a minor condition needing only outpatient care can be treated at any hospital on a primary visa. It said inpatient treatment is also allowed on a primary visa for a limited period and subject to conditions, but that treatment needing an organ transplant is permitted only on a medical visa. Rules can change, so confirm the current position with the hospital, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office or the Indian mission before you rely on this.
The e-visa portal (the official Indian e-Visa site) lists the e-Medical Visa and the e-Medical Attendant Visa. As listed on the portal on 7 October 2026:
- Validity: the official e-Visa portal currently displays conflicting validity information between its category descriptions and FAQ. Its category descriptions state 365 days with multiple entries, while an FAQ answer states 60 days from first arrival. Confirm the applicable category and conditions with the official visa helpdesk or Indian mission before booking. Follow the conditions on your issued visa or ETA and immigration endorsement.
- Attendants: only two e-Medical Attendant Visas are granted against one e-Medical Visa.
- When to apply: at least 4 days before arrival, within a window of 120 days. The portal’s own example: applying on 1 September lets you choose an arrival date from 5 September to 2 January. Four days is the minimum lead time the portal states, not a promise of how long processing takes.
- Who can use it: only holders of passports from the countries the portal lists. Check your nationality on the portal before you plan around an e-visa. If your country is not listed, ask the Indian mission about the medical visa route.
- Fees: they depend on nationality. The portal publishes a fee table dated 15 April 2026, and a 3% bank charge is added to applicable fees. Processing fees are not refundable.
Application checklist: line up the following before you start the form.
- Passport: a scan of the passport bio page showing the photograph and details, for the patient and for each attendant, as the portal requires.
- Photograph: the portal sets a specification: JPEG, 10 KB to 1 MB, square, full face, front view, eyes open, no spectacles and a plain light or white background. Check the portal for the current specification before you upload.
- Hospital letter: for the patient, a copy of the letter from the hospital in India on its letterhead, which includes the date or tentative date of admission. Ask the hospital to confirm the letter meets the requirements for the category you are applying under.
- Patient and attendant applications: each attendant applies under the attendant category. Ask the visa helpdesk how an attendant’s application is linked to the patient’s and whether any additional details will be requested.
- Approval: submitting the form or paying the fee is not approval. Wait for the visa or ETA to be issued before you book non-refundable travel.
- Attendant numbers: two is the most e-Medical Attendant Visas the portal grants against one e-Medical Visa. Kokilaben’s page separately says the hospital can provide an invitation letter for a medical visa for a patient and one attendant. One is the government’s limit and the other is what the hospital offers to support in writing, so they are different things.
The Ministry of Tourism’s Heal in India initiative, described in a Press Information Bureau backgrounder of 2 May 2026, is meant to be a one-stop facilitation route, and the government says it is upgrading its Medical Value Travel portal. Check the portal itself for what it offers today.
OCI cardholders: the Ministry of External Affairs says an OCI card gives a multiple entry, lifelong visa for visiting India for any purpose, and its OCI FAQ does not mention medical treatment separately. If you hold an OCI card and are unsure, ask the Indian mission or the hospital.
ACTREC publishes its own international-patient admission requirements, including the visa categories it accepts (see its international patient page). Confirm those requirements directly with ACTREC. For visa conversion, registration or extension obligations, use the applicable government instructions and your issued visa conditions.
Hospital and clinician verification
Accreditation belongs to a campus, not a brand. A group can hold Joint Commission International accreditation at one hospital and not another. Examples:
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai (Kopar Khairane): its own site shows NABH and NABL logos. The JCI accreditation advertised by the group’s Andheri campus does not carry over. Its international patient page says it can provide an invitation letter for a medical visa for a patient and one attendant.
- MGM: MGM Healthcare, whose JCI claims and visa letters you may find online, is a Chennai group. It is not MGM New Bombay Hospital in Vashi or MGM in Kamothe.
- Every other hospital: accreditation should be confirmed for every hospital you consider. This guide does not state that any hospital lacks accreditation. Check the exact legal entity, campus, accreditation scope and current validity.
Search the NABH directory of accredited healthcare organisations for the exact hospital and campus, and note the validity date. NABH describes the directory as listing hospitals with NABH accreditation, certification or empanelment, including those under renewal, and says it is a new site on which some information may be incomplete, so ask the hospital for its certificate if an entry is missing. If a hospital says it holds JCI accreditation, ask for the certificate details and confirm them with JCI directly. For a wider view of the local hospitals, see our guide to hospitals in Navi Mumbai, our IVF centres guide and our health insurance guide.
- A logo on a website or brochure is not directory verification. Look the hospital up in the accreditation body’s own listing.
- Hospital accreditation and laboratory accreditation are different things. NABH lists healthcare organisations such as hospitals. NABL accredits laboratories and has a public accredited laboratory search. Ask which one applies to the tests or service you need.
- Accreditation does not guarantee an individual outcome.
- The credentials of the doctor treating you are a separate check from the facility’s accreditation. The CDC Yellow Book chapter on medical tourism points to checking both. Ask for the named specialist’s registration and qualifications in writing.
Official international-patient entry points
These are contact routes, not recommendations or a ranking. Both institutions are in Navi Mumbai.
| Institution and exact campus | Official international-patient page | How to request an initial review | What remains subject to written confirmation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACTREC, Kharghar | ACTREC international patient page | Email internationalpatients@actrec.gov.in. The page says you may send available biopsy or tissue reports, imaging or scan reports and a brief summary of any previous treatment. | The visa categories ACTREC accepts, the treatment plan and the cost. The page describes an advance deposit of Rs 2,00,000 before admission or specialised treatment, separate from consultation fees, investigations and medicines. That figure is ACTREC’s own and does not apply to other hospitals. |
| Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai (Koparkhairane) | Kokilaben Navi Mumbai international patient page | Use the enquiries form on the hospital’s website, which has a country field. | The invitation letter (the page says the hospital can provide one for a medical visa to a bona fide patient and one attendant), the rates (the page says rates are charged as applicable to overseas patients, so get a written estimate) and transport arrangements. |
Privacy and payment checks
- Find the international desk through the hospital’s official website, not through an advertisement or a message.
- Confirm the approved channel for sending medical records and passport details before you send them.
- Check the beneficiary name and the invoice before you pay.
- Ask whether an intermediary represents the hospital and whether it charges a separate fee.
- Do not post your medical records publicly.
What treatment costs, and why there is no price list here
Searchers often look for a number, such as knee replacement or dental implant cost in India. This guide does not publish a Navi Mumbai price, because clinic prices vary with the procedure, the implant, the surgeon, the room and what is included, and international patients may be charged differently. Kokilaben’s Navi Mumbai international patient page, for example, says rates will be charged as applicable to overseas patients. What it offers instead is a method for comparing written quotes.
See our dental implant guide and hair transplant guide for how to compare quotes for them.
Compare quotes on the whole trip, not the procedure alone
- The procedure, in writing, with the surgeon’s name and whether the implant or device is included.
- Hospital stay, room type and the number of days the quote covers.
- Tests, medicines, consumables and anaesthesia.
- Follow-up visits, and whether you must stay in India for them.
- Attendant costs and accommodation near the hospital.
- Travel insurance, and whether it covers planned treatment or complications.
- The currency of the quote, how you will pay, and any card or transfer fees.
- An advance deposit, and when it is refunded. As one example, ACTREC’s page states an advance of Rs 2,00,000 before admission or specialised treatment, described as separate from consultation fees, investigations and medicines. Other hospitals set their own terms.
To put two written estimates side by side, ask each hospital to fill in the same worksheet. A blank cell is a question to ask.
| Quote component | Hospital A | Hospital B |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis and proposed procedure | ||
| Named treating specialist | ||
| Implant or device and specifications | ||
| Tests, anaesthesia and medicines | ||
| Room category and included stay | ||
| ICU or additional-stay charges | ||
| Complication and reoperation exclusions | ||
| Follow-up and rehabilitation | ||
| Deposit and cancellation terms | ||
| Currency and estimate validity |
Getting here
Check that your arrival airport is on the portal’s list of authorised immigration check posts for e-visa holders before you book. Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) is new, and which flights use it is changing, so see our guide to NMI and BOM and our airport transport guide.
The portal’s airport list included Navi Mumbai when checked on 7 October 2026. Airport lists can change, so confirm eligibility for your own itinerary with the visa helpdesk or your airline. Being on the e-visa list says nothing about which flights use the airport, so check that separately. Ask the hospital:
- Does the hospital arrange pickup from the airport?
- Is an ordinary vehicle suitable for you, or do you need medically supported transport?
- Can the transport accommodate a wheelchair or other mobility aids?
- Which terminal is on your ticket, so the driver meets you at the right place?
Travel time from the airport to the hospital depends on the airport, the hour of arrival and traffic, so ask the hospital for an estimate for your own itinerary.
Before discharge and your return flight
Settle these points before you leave the hospital, not at the airport. This guide gives no standard number of days after which flying is safe, because it depends on the procedure and on you.
- Fitness to travel: ask the treating clinician whether and when you can fly, and ask for the advice in writing. The CDC Yellow Book says travel after surgery can add to the risk of blood clots.
- The airline: ask your airline whether it needs medical clearance for your condition, and how far ahead of the flight it must be arranged.
- Follow-up: agree where follow-up will happen, in India and at home, and whether you must stay in India for any visit.
- Complications: ask who to contact if something goes wrong, how to reach them out of hours and who bears the cost. The CDC advises not delaying care if you suspect a complication during travel or after you return home.
- Records: collect your discharge summary, procedure records, imaging, prescriptions and implant or device details. The CDC advises asking for copies of overseas medical records in English and giving them to any clinician who sees you for follow-up.
- A longer stay: if recovery needs more time than planned, ask what a longer stay will cost for the room, medicines, follow-up visits and attendants, and check whether your visa and insurance allow it.
Treatments with additional legal restrictions
Do not assume that IVF, surrogacy and organ transplantation follow one set of rules. Ask the hospital which rules apply to the treatment you are considering, and ask for its answer in writing.
Surrogacy. Commercial surrogacy is prohibited. Eligibility for altruistic surrogacy is tightly restricted. The official FAQ on the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, as hosted by Delhi’s health and family welfare department, distinguishes foreign applicants from certain NRI, OCI and Indian-origin applicants, subject to statutory eligibility and approvals. It says foreigners cannot avail surrogacy services in India. It separately says NRIs, OCI cardholders and Indian-origin citizens can avail them in accordance with the eligibility criteria in the Act and its Rules. It defines a couple of Indian origin as a couple in which both husband and wife are OCI cardholders, and says such a couple needs a certificate of recommendation from the National Board. The Ministry of External Affairs’ surrogacy page, citing a Ministry of Home Affairs circular of 3 November 2015, says no visa is issued to foreign nationals to visit India to commission surrogacy and no permission is to be granted to OCI cardholders to commission it. Do not assume eligibility from an overseas address or an OCI card alone. Obtain case-specific confirmation from the appropriate authority before making arrangements.
Organ transplantation. This is a separate matter with its own medical, legal and immigration requirements. The Home Ministry statement described above says treatment needing an organ transplant is permitted only on a medical visa. Transplants involving foreign nationals are also subject to extra approvals under Indian law, which are not covered here, so ask a hospital’s transplant coordinator what is required and in what order. If a clinic promises something that sounds prohibited, walk away and report it.
Sources and verification date
Official: Indian e-Visa portal (instructions, read on 7 October 2026) and fee table (15 April 2026); Press Information Bureau, “Medical and Wellness Tourism in India” (2 May 2026); MEA OCI FAQ; MEA page on surrogacy matters; Ministry of Home Affairs statement of 2019 on treatment on a primary visa, as reported by Medical Dialogues; Charter of Patients’ Rights; Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 (via an ICMR copy) and the official FAQ on the Act (via a Delhi government copy); CDC Yellow Book, Medical Tourism; NABH and NABL public directories. Hospital statements are from Kokilaben’s Navi Mumbai international patient page and ACTREC’s page, read on 7 October 2026. Rules and requirements change, so confirm them with the authority or the hospital before you rely on them. NaviMumbai.com is an independent information site and is not a medical provider, a travel agent or a legal adviser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a medical visa to be treated in Navi Mumbai?
If medical treatment is the purpose of your trip, confirm the appropriate medical visa route before travelling. Citizens of the countries the e-visa portal lists can apply for an e-Medical Visa online, and others should ask the Indian mission about the medical visa route. Different provisions may apply to people already in India on another valid visa or holding OCI status, so confirm your own situation with the hospital and the Indian mission.
How long is an e-Medical Visa valid?
The official e-Visa portal currently displays conflicting validity information between its category descriptions and FAQ. Its category descriptions state 365 days with multiple entries, while an FAQ answer states 60 days from first arrival. Confirm the applicable category and conditions with the official visa helpdesk or Indian mission before booking. Follow the conditions on your issued visa or ETA and immigration endorsement.
Can someone travel with me?
Yes. Only two e-Medical Attendant Visas are granted against one e-Medical Visa. Each attendant applies under the attendant category. A hospital may set its own limit on the invitation letters it provides, so ask the hospital as well.
How do I compare quotes from two hospitals?
Ask each hospital for a written, itemised estimate and put both on the same worksheet. Cover the diagnosis and proposed procedure, the named specialist, the implant or device, tests and medicines, room category and included stay, ICU or additional-stay charges, complication and reoperation exclusions, follow-up, deposit and cancellation terms, and the currency and validity of the estimate.
What should I check before flying home after treatment?
Ask the treating clinician whether and when you can fly, and check whether your airline needs medical clearance. There is no standard number of days that suits everyone. Agree follow-up arrangements in India and at home, find out who to contact about complications, and collect your discharge summary, procedure records, prescriptions and implant details before you leave.
Can foreigners use surrogacy in India?
Commercial surrogacy is prohibited. Eligibility for altruistic surrogacy is tightly restricted. The official FAQ on the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 says foreigners cannot avail surrogacy services in India and separately addresses NRI, OCI and Indian-origin applicants, subject to statutory eligibility and approvals. Do not assume eligibility from an overseas address or an OCI card alone. Get case-specific confirmation from the appropriate authority before making arrangements.
How do I check a hospital’s accreditation?
Search the NABH directory for the exact hospital and campus, and note the validity date. If a hospital says it holds JCI accreditation, ask for the certificate details and confirm them with JCI directly. A group’s accreditation at one campus does not apply to another.
