In a move that could provide a major boost to India’s medical tourism sector, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has indicated that the government may consider introducing visa-on-arrival facilities for medical travellers from countries such as the United States and Europe.
Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Health Summit, Goyal said the proposal aims to enhance India’s accessibility as a preferred global destination for medical treatment and wellness services. “The idea about visa on arrival is a good idea. We will pursue that,” he stated, adding that such a policy could significantly strengthen confidence among international patients and healthcare facilitators.
India currently offers visa-on-arrival and e-visa facilities to citizens of several nations. Extending these provisions to developed markets, Goyal said, would be feasible for countries with which India has “a fair amount of comfort” and minimal need for detailed background verification.
“For many countries, we allow visa on arrival, we allow e-visas… both these can be considered, let’s say, for the United States, most of the European countries… not all, but for most where we have a fair amount of comfort and where detailed investigations or enquiries are not required,” he noted.
Goyal urged the CII to fine-tune the proposal and submit comprehensive recommendations outlining the operational framework, including eligibility criteria, certification requirements, and safety protocols. He underscored that any new facilitation measure must maintain procedural transparency and ensure compliance with national security norms.
The move, if implemented, is expected to streamline inbound travel for high-spending medical tourists, a key growth driver for India’s healthcare and hospitality industries. Industry stakeholders view this as a significant step towards positioning India as a global medical value destination, combining quality care, cost competitiveness, and ease of access.