How many people can come with me to India on a medical visa?

Up to two attendants can be granted Medical Attendant visas against one patient's Medical or e-Medical Visa.

Is the attendant visa valid for the same time as the patient's?

Yes. The Medical Attendant visa is co-terminous with the patient's Medical Visa, so it carries the same validity.

Do attendants need to be on the hospital invitation letter?

Several Indian missions require the invitation letter to name the patient and each attendant with passport numbers, so yes — the attendants should be listed on it.

The Medical Attendant Visa: Who Can Travel With You to India

Q: Who can be a medical attendant?

Close relatives of the patient — typically the spouse, children or others with a blood relationship. Each applies in their own name, linked to the patient's visa.

Last checked: 16 September 2026. The official sources for every fact are listed at the end of this guide.

Nobody should face treatment abroad alone, and it is the question patients ask us most: can my family come with me? The answer is yes — India provides a Medical Attendant visa specifically for the people travelling to support a patient. Here is how it works, from the Government of India's own e-Visa rules and the missions' pages.

How many attendants can travel with you

Up to two attendants may be granted Medical Attendant visas against a single patient's Medical (or e-Medical) Visa. The attendant visa is co-terminous with the patient's visa — it carries the same validity — so your companions' permission to stay matches yours.

Who qualifies as an attendant

The Medical Attendant visa is intended for close relatives of the patient — typically the spouse, children or others with a blood relationship. Each attendant applies in their own name, linked to the patient's visa, and should be named on the hospital's invitation letter along with the patient.

How attendants apply

Each attendant completes their own application, referencing the patient's Medical Visa so the applications are linked.
The hospital's invitation letter should name the patient and each attendant, with passport numbers — several missions require this explicitly.
Attendants may need to meet the same country-specific requirements as the patient (for example, vaccination certificates, and in some missions an in-person appearance for biometrics). Check the requirements for your country — see our Nigeria and Kenya guides.

What the attendant visa is not

It is not a tourist visa, and it is tied to the patient's treatment: the attendant is expected to be with the patient during treatment, and the visa's validity follows the patient's. If plans change and the patient's visa is extended in India, the attendant's status is handled together with it.

How Meridian helps

When we arrange your hospital invitation letter, we make sure it names your attendants and their passport numbers correctly, so their applications are not held up. Your dedicated coordinator can also explain the specific attendant requirements for your country.

Sources & how we checked

Every visa, document and timeline fact on this page is taken from an official source and was last read on 16 September 2026. Visa fees and mission requirements change — always confirm on the official page before you travel.

*This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice. Confirm visa requirements with the relevant Indian mission and your treatment plan with a qualified doctor.*