Every year, thousands of Nigerian patients travel to India for heart surgery, cancer treatment, kidney transplants, IVF, and more. One of the most common questions we receive is: "How do I get a medical visa for India from Nigeria?" This guide answers everything — step by step.
India offers two routes for Nigerian patients seeking medical treatment: the standard Medical Visa applied at the Indian High Commission in Abuja or the Indian Consulate in Lagos, and the faster e-Medical Visa applied online. Both are straightforward when you have the right documents — and indiCare handles the most important one: the official hospital invitation letter.
✅ Good News for Nigerian Patients
Nigeria is on India's e-visa eligible country list. This means you can apply for an e-Medical Visa online from home, receive approval within 72 hours, and travel without visiting any embassy in person. indiCare arranges the hospital letter you need to complete this application — at no cost to you.
Two Types of Indian Medical Visa
e-Medical Visa (Online)
- Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in
- Processed in 72 hours
- Valid for 60 days, triple entry
- No embassy visit required
- Fee: approximately $25 USD
- Best for planned treatments
Medical Visa (Embassy)
- Apply at Indian High Commission Abuja or Consulate Lagos
- Processed in 5–7 working days
- Valid for 1 year, multiple entry
- Better for long-term treatments (cancer, transplant)
- Fee: approximately $100 USD
- Best for extended stays
Documents Required
| Document | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid Nigerian Passport | Minimum 6 months validity beyond travel date, at least 2 blank pages | REQUIRED |
| Completed Visa Application Form | Available at indianvisaonline.gov.in — fill accurately, no corrections | REQUIRED |
| Passport Photographs | 2 recent colour photos, white background, 2×2 inches | REQUIRED |
| Hospital Invitation Letter | Official letter from JCI/NABH-accredited Indian hospital confirming appointment — indiCare provides this free | REQUIRED |
| Medical Records & Diagnosis | Pathology reports, scan results, doctor's letter confirming your condition and recommended treatment | REQUIRED |
| Proof of Funds | Bank statement (last 3 months) showing sufficient funds for treatment and stay | REQUIRED |
| Return Flight Itinerary | Confirmed or provisional return ticket booking | REQUIRED |
| Proof of Accommodation | Hotel booking or letter from hospital patient accommodation | RECOMMENDED |
| Medical Attendant Documents | For accompanying family: proof of relationship (marriage/birth certificate) + their own passport and photos | IF APPLICABLE |
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
Contact indiCare — Get Your Hospital Match
Share your medical reports with indiCare via WhatsApp or email. Within 24 hours we match you to the right hospital and specialist for your condition. This is completely free.
Receive Your Hospital Invitation Letter
Once your hospital appointment is confirmed, indiCare arranges the official invitation letter on hospital letterhead. This is the most important document for your visa application — and we handle it entirely.
Apply for e-Medical Visa Online
- Go to indianvisaonline.gov.in
- Select "e-Medical Visa" as the visa type
- Fill the application form — takes about 20 minutes
- Upload your passport scan, photograph, and hospital letter
- Pay the fee online (approximately $25 USD)
- Submit and wait for approval — usually within 72 hours
Receive ETA — Download and Print
Your Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is sent to your email. Print two copies and carry them with your passport. You do NOT need to visit any embassy — the e-visa is valid at all major Indian international airports.
Travel to India — indiCare Meets You
Your indiCare coordinator arranges airport pickup, hotel transfer, and accompanies you to your first hospital appointment. You are never alone from the moment you land.
Medical Visa Costs — Nigeria to India
Can My Family Travel With Me?
Yes. India allows up to 2 medical attendants to accompany a patient on a Medical Attendant Visa. This visa is applied simultaneously with the patient's Medical Visa and requires proof of relationship — a marriage certificate for a spouse, or a birth certificate for a child or parent.
The Medical Attendant Visa is valid for the same duration as the patient's visa and allows your family member to stay with you throughout your treatment. indiCare coordinates accommodation for patients and their attendants near the treating hospital.
"The visa process seemed daunting at first. But indiCare gave us the hospital letter, walked us through every document, and my husband and I both had our visas approved in 4 days. We arrived in Delhi and everything was already arranged." — Mrs. Fatima A., Lagos — Cardiac Patient, Apollo Hospital New Delhi, 2026
Common Reasons Visas Are Delayed or Rejected
⚠️ Avoid These Mistakes
- Missing hospital invitation letter — the most common reason for rejection. Always get this from indiCare before applying.
- Passport validity under 6 months — renew your passport before applying
- Incorrect photograph format — must be white background, no glasses, full face visible
- Insufficient bank statement funds — show at least the estimated cost of your treatment plus $2,000
- Applying too late — apply at least 2 weeks before your planned travel date
- Medical records not translated — all documents should be in English
How indiCare Makes It Simple
The visa process is the part that worries most patients the most — but with indiCare, it becomes straightforward. Here is exactly what we handle for you at no charge:
✅ What indiCare Does for You — Free
- Match you to the right JCI-accredited hospital for your condition
- Arrange the official hospital appointment and invitation letter
- Provide a complete document checklist specific to your visa type
- Guide you through the online e-visa application step by step
- Coordinate airport pickup, accommodation, and hospital transport
- Assign a dedicated coordinator who stays with you throughout your treatment
Our service costs you nothing. We are compensated by our hospital partners — so your entire facilitation, from visa letter to discharge, is free of charge.