India introduced a dedicated AYUSH Visa category on 27 July 2023 for foreign nationals travelling to the country to seek treatment through Ayurveda and other AYUSH systems of medicine. In a government announcement published on 10 December 2024, the Ministry of AYUSH highlighted the visa categories, eligible treatment facilities, medical travel information portal and initiatives to promote India’s traditional medicine services internationally.
What Is the AYUSH Visa?
The AYUSH Visa is a dedicated visa category for foreign nationals whose purpose of travel is to receive treatment through India’s traditional systems of medicine.
These systems include Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy.
According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the government introduced the visa category on 27 July 2023 to facilitate international visitors seeking AYUSH-based therapeutic care and wellness services.
The visa is intended for treatment at eligible hospitals or wellness centres registered or accredited by the relevant government authority or by the specified recognised accreditation bodies.
Four AYUSH Visa Categories for International Visitors
The government announcement identifies four categories designed for patients and accompanying attendants.
- AYUSH Visa (AY-1): A regular visa category for eligible foreign nationals travelling to India for AYUSH treatment.
- AYUSH Attendant Visa (AY-2): For eligible attendants accompanying patients seeking AYUSH treatment.
- e-AYUSH Visa: An electronic visa category for eligible international visitors travelling for AYUSH treatment.
- e-AYUSH Attendant Visa: An electronic visa category for eligible attendants accompanying patients.
The precise eligibility conditions, supporting documents, permitted duration of stay and application procedures should be checked through the official Indian visa authorities. Applicants should not assume that all four categories have identical requirements.
Which AYUSH Treatment Facilities Are Eligible?
The PIB announcement states that an AYUSH Visa may be granted when the foreign national’s sole purpose is to obtain treatment through AYUSH systems, including therapeutic care and wellness services, at an eligible facility.
The facility must be a hospital or wellness centre accredited or registered with the relevant government authority, or an AYUSH service-providing hospital accredited by one of the specified bodies:
- National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH).
- National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH).
- National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM).
This condition is important for international patients choosing a provider. Before making travel arrangements, prospective visitors should verify the facility’s registration or accreditation status and confirm that it is eligible to provide the intended services.
The visa announcement should not be interpreted as a guarantee of treatment effectiveness or as an endorsement of every facility offering traditional medicine services.
How Many AYUSH Visas Had Been Issued?
The government reported the following figures as of 4 December 2024:
| Visa category | Number issued |
|---|---|
| Regular AYUSH Visa | 123 |
| e-AYUSH Visa | 221 |
| e-AYUSH Attendant Visa | 17 |
| Total across the three reported categories | 361 |
These figures reflect the position reported in the December 2024 announcement. They are historical figures, not current totals.
The release does not provide a separate number for the regular AYUSH Attendant Visa in the reported breakdown. Consequently, the figures should not be interpreted as a complete count of every AYUSH visa category or as the total number of international patients treated in India.
Advantage Healthcare India: A Portal for Medical Travel Information
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the Advantage Healthcare India portal as India’s official information platform for Medical Value Travel (MVT).
Medical Value Travel refers to travel to another country to obtain healthcare or related wellness services.
The portal was developed as a one-stop information resource for international visitors seeking medical treatment in India. It is intended to help prospective patients explore information relevant to accessing healthcare services in the country.
International patients can visit:
Official portal: https://www.healinindia.gov.in/
Visitors should check the portal for its current services and guidance. The December 2024 announcement does not establish that every AYUSH facility is listed on the portal or that every treatment can be booked directly through it.
AYUSH Medical Value Travel Summit 2024
The government also organised the AYUSH Medical Value Travel Summit 2024 in Mumbai on 30 September 2024.
The event’s theme was “Global Synergy in Ayush: Transforming Health and Wellness through Medical Value Travel”.
Its stated objective was to strengthen India’s position in medical value travel by integrating traditional Indian systems of medicine with modern healthcare systems. The summit also sought to increase awareness among AYUSH healthcare providers and other stakeholders involved in medical tourism.
Such events can provide opportunities for discussion and cooperation among healthcare institutions, service providers and other participants in international medical travel. However, the announcement does not provide measurable evidence of the summit’s economic impact or its effect on international patient numbers.
Why Does the AYUSH Visa Matter?
The dedicated visa category gives international visitors a specific immigration route for seeking eligible AYUSH treatment in India. Together with the Advantage Healthcare India portal, it forms part of the government’s effort to make information about India’s healthcare services more accessible to people travelling from abroad.
For eligible hospitals, wellness centres and AYUSH practitioners, medical value travel may create opportunities to serve international visitors and develop cross-border professional relationships.
The initiative also highlights the importance of reliable information about provider credentials, regulatory compliance, patient safety and treatment options. International promotion should be supported by transparent communication about the evidence for particular treatments and their limitations.
What Should Foreign Nationals Do Before Applying?
Foreign nationals considering AYUSH treatment in India should take the following steps:
- Identify the intended treatment: Confirm the AYUSH service and the facility offering it.
- Verify the facility: Check registration or accreditation with the relevant authority or recognised body.
- Check visa eligibility: Consult the official Indian visa portal for the current requirements for the appropriate AYUSH or attendant category.
- Prepare the required documents: Follow the official application instructions rather than relying on general online summaries.
- Review medical arrangements: Confirm treatment plans, costs, accommodation and follow-up arrangements directly with the provider.
- Use official information sources: Consult the Advantage Healthcare India portal for available medical travel information.
Visa approval remains subject to the applicable immigration rules and the decision of the competent authorities.
Conclusion
India’s AYUSH Visa initiative provides a dedicated pathway for eligible foreign nationals seeking traditional medicine-based treatment and wellness services at qualifying facilities. Alongside the Advantage Healthcare India portal and the AYUSH Medical Value Travel Summit, it forms part of the government’s broader effort to facilitate international healthcare travel.
For prospective visitors, the most important steps are to verify the treatment provider, understand the applicable visa requirements and obtain reliable information before making travel arrangements.
Official source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India, “Ayush Visa for foreigners visiting India for availing treatment under Ayush system of medicine”, published on 10 December 2024.
