India Attracted Over 18.11 Lakh Medical Tourists From 2023 to 2025, Government Tells Parliament
India welcomed more than 18.11 lakh foreign nationals on medical tourism-related visas between January 2023 and December 2025. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel shared these figures in a written response to the Lok Sabha, citing data compiled by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
What Happened
In a written statement to Parliament, Minister of State Anupriya Patel stated that medical tourism is a fast-growing sector with substantial global potential. The government detailed that a total of 18,11,950 foreign visitors entered India on various medical and attendant visa categories during the three-year period spanning January 2023 to December 2025.
The total figure includes 17,51,088 holders of Medical Visas and e-Medical Visas, along with 56,908 Medical Attendant Visa holders. Additionally, the entry numbers include 3,375 foreign nationals who arrived on AYUSH Visas and 579 on AYUSH Attendant Visas aimed at traditional healthcare systems.
Key Highlights
- Total Foreign Arrivals: A total of 18,11,950 foreign nationals visited India on medical tourism-related visas between January 2023 and December 2025.
- Visa Breakdown: The arrivals comprised 17,51,088 Medical and e-Medical Visa holders, 56,908 Medical Attendant Visa holders, 3,375 AYUSH Visa holders, and 579 AYUSH Attendant Visa holders.
- Policy Updates: The validity of the e-Medical Visa was extended from 60 days to one year, with allowed entries increased from three to multiple.
- Expanded Coverage: The e-Medical visa facility was broadened to cover citizens of 176 countries.
- Traditional Medicine Integration: Dedicated e-AYUSH (M3) and e-AYUSH Attendant (M4) visa types were established under the e-Visa framework to promote traditional systems of medicine.
- Inter-Ministerial Collaboration: The Ministry of Tourism leads promotional efforts, while the Health Ministry coordinates with industry bodies including NATHEALTH, FICCI, and the Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC).
Why This Matters
According to the government, medical tourism represents a rapidly expanding domain with notable global prospects. To support foreign applicants seeking medical care, Indian embassies and consulates abroad offer emergency visa processing along with dedicated helpline services for eligible travelers.
What to Watch Next
The government continues its multi-ministry framework, involving coordinated initiatives among private healthcare providers, industry organizations like NATHEALTH, FICCI, and SEPC, and government bodies to facilitate foreign travel for healthcare and traditional AYUSH treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many foreign medical tourists visited India between 2023 and 2025?
According to Ministry of Home Affairs data, 18,11,950 foreign nationals arrived in India on medical tourism-related visas during the three-year period from January 2023 to December 2025.
What updates were made to India’s e-Medical Visa rules?
The validity period of the e-Medical visa was expanded from 60 days to one year, permitted entries were changed from three to multiple entries, and the facility was made accessible to nationals from 176 countries.
What are the e-AYUSH visa categories?
The e-Visa framework introduced dedicated e-AYUSH (M3) and e-AYUSH Attendant (M4) visa categories to encourage travel for India’s traditional systems of medicine.
Source: Information provided based on official government responses in Parliament and reported by Firstpost.