India has introduced an eVisa for yoga, aiming to attract global yoga enthusiasts and bolster its wellness tourism by providing easy access to the country’s rich yogic traditions and programs.
The Indian government has introduced a special visa scheme called the AYUSH visa (AY Visa). It is a part of the "Heal in India" initiative.
The government of India’s decision to introduce the Ayush e-Visa simplifies the process of accessing advanced treatments. This initiative integrates traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with a variety of complex medical treatments. Read on to learn more about the Ayush e-Visa in the article below.
Reports predict the Ayush-based healthcare and wellness economy will grow to 70 billion by 2025. It will be characterized by a significant increase in medical value travel. Hence, the government introduced the electronic Ayush (AY) visa for foreigners.
Here’s what travelers applying for the Ayush e-Visa should know:
As stated above, AYUSH is an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. These are the six traditional Indian systems of medicine widely practiced in India and some neighboring Asian countries. These systems have gained recognition in some developed countries as well.
Therefore, the Ayush e-Visa is for foreigners seeking medical treatment in India using Ayush or other traditional Indian medicine. The e-Visa also serves those interested in receiving therapeutic care and wellness through traditional medicine.
Ahmedabad | Amritsar | Bagdogra |
Bengaluru | Bhubaneswar | Calicut |
Chandigarh | Chennai | Cochin |
Coimbatore | Delhi | Gaya |
Goa | Guwahati | Hyderabad |
Jaipur | Kannur | Kolkata |
Lucknow | Madurai | Mangalore |
Mumbai | Nagpur | Port Blair |
Pune |
Chennai | Cochin | Goa |
Mumbai | New Mangalore |
All e-Visa-eligible travelers seeking treatment under the Indian system of medicine can apply for the Ayush e-Visa. It is also known as an e-Ayush visa.
To be eligible for an AY e-Visa (Ayush visa), applicants must meet the following criteria:
Based on the news reports, the Ayush e-Visa applicants must be aware of the following conditions:
India has introduced an eVisa for yoga, aiming to attract global yoga enthusiasts and bolster its wellness tourism by providing easy access to the country’s rich yogic traditions and programs.
The key features of the Ayush e-Visa are as follows:
The fees for e-Ayush and e-Ayush attendant Visa is USD 80 for most e-Visa eligible nationals.
For instance, a traveler from Benin will pay USD 100 for Ayush and Ayush attendant e-Visas, whereas a Japanese national will only pay USD 25 for it. On the other hand, visitors from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, and some specific nations are not required to pay the fees.
Note: Please note that the fee may differ and vary for some e-Visa-eligible applicants. A bank charge of 2.5% will be charged additional on the applicable e-Visa fees. Furthermore, the Ayush e-Visa fee is subject to change without further notice.
Online application
No document send-off
Easy process
Available for tourism and business
Fast processing
Here are some specific conditions for different types of AYUSH treatment:
The Ayush attendant visa is a triple-entry electronic visa. It is also known as e-Ayush attendant or AY 2 visa. The duration is 60 days from the date of arrival into the country.Family members or attendants of the patient can apply for the Ayush e-Visa for attendants.
Please note it can only be obtained by a medical attendant who will accompany the patient. Remember, only India e-Visa eligible citizens can apply for it.
The Ayush visa is specifically for traditional Indian medical treatment (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy). On the other hand, individuals can use a medical visa for conventional medical treatments in India. Furthermore, the Ayush e-Visa requires a medical invitation letter from an accredited Ayush institution. However, the Indian medical visa requires a medical invitation letter from an accredited hospital or clinic.
Both electronic visas are available to the citizens of the e-Visa-eligible countries only. Similarly, both e-Visas have add-on attendant visas, such as Ayush and Medical attendant visas. Foreign nationals visiting India for medical treatment must choose the appropriate visa. If they are interested in traditional Indian medical treatment, the Ayush e-Visa is a good option. If they are interested in conventional medical treatment, then the Indian medical visa is better.
Based on the insights and opinions expressed on travel forums, the Ayush e-Visa is a controversial topic. For the e-Visa to succeed, the Indian government needs to be clearer about the limits of Ayurveda.
Travelers have expressed the following concerns for the Indian Government before promoting the traditional Indian medicinal system as a viable alternative to conventional medicine.
For the success of the Ayush e-Visa program and wider reach and engagement, the following steps are being taken:
The Ayush e-Visa promotes Indian traditional medicine globally as part of India’s Heal in India program. It is for foreign nationals seeking therapeutic care, wellness, and yoga through India’s revered systems of medicine.
However, making an informed decision before opting for the Ayush e-Visa for medical treatment is best. It may best suit individuals seeking alternative treatment for chronic conditions or minor ailments.
The content on this page has undergone a thorough review by Gunjan Shukla, ensuring its accuracy, relevance, and quality. It’s important to always check with relevant authorities as entry policies can change.
See Natvisa content review process.