Thousands of Kenyan patients travel to India each year for advanced, affordable medical care — from cardiac surgery and cancer treatment to organ transplants and orthopaedic procedures. To travel legally for treatment, you need an Indian Medical Visa from Kenya. This guide covers the full picture: eligibility, visa types, fees for Kenyan citizens, how long you can stay, and processing times.

Whether you're looking up the cost of a medical visa from Kenya to India, checking if you qualify, or comparing the online e-Visa with the regular visa, you'll find clear, up-to-date answers here.

Can Kenyans Apply for a Medical Visa to India?

Yes. Kenyan citizens are fully eligible for an Indian Medical Visa, and Kenya is among the countries that can use India's convenient online e-Visa system. You can apply if you:

• Hold a valid Kenyan passport with at least 6 months' validity and 2 blank pages
• Are travelling for genuine medical treatment at a recognised Indian hospital
• Have an invitation or referral letter from the treating Indian hospital or doctor

Medical visas are commonly granted for serious ailments such as cardiac conditions, neurosurgery, organ transplants, cancer (oncology), kidney treatment, orthopaedic surgery, and other specialised care. There is no separate "Kenya–India" visa — Kenyan patients simply apply for the standard Indian Medical Visa (M Visa).

Why Kenyan Patients Choose India for Treatment?

India is a leading global destination for medical tourism and a top choice for Kenyan patients because of its:

• World-class hospitals and internationally trained specialists
• Significantly lower treatment costs than most other countries
• Short or no waiting times for major procedures
• Advanced care in cardiology, oncology, neurology, transplants, and orthopaedics
• Traditional systems of medicine — Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy

There are two ways for Kenyans to get a medical visa to India. The right choice depends on how long your treatment will take.

E-Medical Visa (Online) — Best for Shorter Treatments

The fastest and most popular option for Kenyan patients.

• Validity: 60 days from your first date of arrival in India
• Entries: Triple entry (as of 2026) — leave and return for follow-ups
• Application: 100% online at indianvisaonline.gov.in

Note: Non-extendable and non-convertible; longer stays are handled via the FRRO

Regular Medical Visa (M Visa) — Best for Longer Treatments

Applied for through the Indian High Commission in Nairobi or the Indian Consulate in Mombasa.

• Validity: Up to 6 months to 1 year (or the treatment period, whichever is shorter), with triple entry
• Registration: Required if your stay exceeds 180 days

Medical Attendant Visa for Family Members

Kenyan patients can be accompanied by family or close relatives on a Medical Attendant Visa (MED X / e-Medical Attendant Visa).

• Up to two attendants are allowed per patient
• The attendant visa is co-terminus (same validity) with the patient's medical visa
• It cannot be granted without the patient's medical visa — apply for both together

The Indian medical visa fee from Kenya depends on the visa type, duration, and processing speed. Here are the commonly published 2026 rates:

·      e-Medical Visa (60 days, applied online): approximately USD 80, plus a bank/payment gateway charge of around 2.5%. This is the fastest and most popular option for Kenyan patients.

·      6-Month Medical Visa: approximately USD 80 for Kenyan citizens.

·      1-Year Medical Visa: applied for manually through the Indian High Commission in Nairobi (not through the online e-Visa system) and costs up to USD 120, depending on your treatment and duration granted.

What to Know Before You Pay

·      Visa fees are non-refundable, even if your application is rejected.

·      A 2.5% bank/payment gateway charge applies to online e-Visa payments.

·      Third-party agents and lookalike sites often charge 2–5× the government fee — always use the official portal.

·      Final amounts vary by nationality and current rates, so confirm on indianvisaonline.gov.in before submitting.

Understanding how long your Indian Medical Visa lasts — and what happens if your treatment runs longer than expected — helps you plan your trip and avoid overstaying.

How Long Can You Stay in India on a Medical Visa?

• E-Medical Visa: Up to 60 days per visit, valid from your first date of arrival, with triple entry.
• Regular Medical Visa: Up to 6 months to 1 year, depending on your treatment and what the mission grants.

The triple-entry facility is one of the biggest advantages of an Indian medical visa. It lets you travel back and forth for follow-up appointments — ideal for long-term care such as oncology, organ transplants, dialysis, or post-surgery rehabilitation — without having to apply for a fresh visa each time. You can even step out to a neighbouring country during recovery and return for your follow-up checks within the visa's validity.

Can You Extend an Indian Medical Visa?

If your recovery requires you to stay longer than your visa allows, you may be able to apply for an extension of up to one year through the e-FRRO portal (indianfrro.gov.in). You'll usually need to submit a fresh medical certificate from your treating Indian hospital, your passport, current visa, medical reports, and proof of residence in India. The e-Medical Visa itself is non-extendable and non-convertible, so any extended stay is handled entirely through the FRRO.

Indian Medical Visa Processing Time from Kenya

Medical visas are usually prioritised because of the urgency of treatment.

• Regular Medical Visa: Normally issued in about 3 working days after submission.
• Emergency cases: May be issued in as little as 1 working day, subject to fee payment on the day of application.
• E-Medical Visa: Typically processed within 72 hours to 5 working days.

Apply at least 4 days before travel — and ideally a week or more — to allow time for processing and any document re-uploads if an image or paper is flagged.

FRRO Registration After You Arrive

Most Kenyan patients on short-stay medical visas will not need to register. However, if your Medical or Medical Attendant Visa is valid for more than 180 days, you must register with the FRRO/FRO at indianfrro.gov.in, generally within 14 days of arrival. Keep your passport, visa, hospital certificate, medical reports, photographs, and proof of local residence ready for registration or any extension.

Indian High Commission & Consulate in Kenya

For a regular Medical Visa or a 1-year visa, applications are handled by:

• High Commission of India, Nairobi — hcinairobi.gov.in
• Assistant High Commission of India, Mombasa — ahcimombasa.gov.in

Always check the official website for current working hours, appointment requirements, and holiday closures before you visit. For medical visa collection, an authorised attendant or close relative can present or collect documents on the applicant's behalf with a signed letter of authority

A little preparation goes a long way. Most Indian medical visa refusals for Kenyan applicants come down to avoidable errors — mismatched details, weak documentation, or applying under the wrong visa category. Follow these tips to give your application the best chance of a smooth, first-time approval.

Common Reasons Medical Visas Get Rejected

• Applying on a tourist visa instead of a medical visa — hospitals are legally barred from admitting foreign patients for treatment without a medical (M) visa.
• Missing or vague hospital invitation letter — the letter must clearly state your diagnosis, the treatment required, and the treating hospital.
• Details that don't match your passport — even a small spelling or date mismatch can cause a rejection.
• Insufficient proof of funds — you must show you can cover treatment and living costs in India.
• Missing vaccination certificates — Yellow Fever and Oral Polio certificates are mandatory for travellers from Kenya.
• Poor-quality photograph — photos must be recent, with a white/plain background and the face clearly visible.

How to Strengthen Your Application?

• Double-check that every detail matches your passport exactly before submitting.
• Get a clear, detailed invitation letter from a recognised Indian hospital that names your condition and planned treatment.
• Keep soft and hard copies of all medical reports — pathology results, scans, and doctor's notes.
• Arrange your Yellow Fever and Polio vaccinations early (10 days and 4 weeks before travel, respectively).
• Apply through the official portal only and pay attention to any email asking you to re-upload a document.
• If your case involves an organ transplant, prepare the additional notarised documents in advance, as these applications face extra scrutiny.