Health tourism
Planning medical treatment in India from the UAE
India is a common choice for travellers seeking major treatment, so there are many hospitals to compare. It helps to understand its national accreditation system and its visa process before you narrow down your options.
In short
- NABH is India’s national healthcare accreditation body. JCI is an international one.
- NABH’s online list shows each organisation’s status, and those statuses are not all the same.
- India’s e-Visa system includes e-Medical and e-Medical Attendant categories.
- medicAI’s care managers can explain the options. Independent hospitals provide the treatment.
NABH and JCI: what the labels mean
| NABH | JCI | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | India’s body for healthcare quality benchmarks, under the Quality Council of India | Joint Commission International, which accredits organisations worldwide |
| How it works | Sets standards and assesses organisations against them | An on-site survey by JCI surveyors against published standards |
| Where to check | Find an Accredited Healthcare Organisation | Find Accredited International Organizations |
NABH’s search lets you filter by state, city and speciality, and each result shows an accreditation number and a status. Read that status carefully. “Accredited”, “Certified” and “Empaneled” are different things, so a hospital that appears on the list is not automatically accredited. NABH also runs a separate empanelment programme for medical travel facilitators.
Neither label is a promise of a result. CDC says plainly that accreditation does not guarantee a positive outcome. Ask for experience with your particular procedure too, including how many they do and who will perform it.
Visas, in general terms
India’s official e-Visa site lists e-Medical and e-Medical Attendant visas, and eligibility depends on your nationality, so check yours first. If you live in the UAE on another country’s passport, your passport is what counts. At the time of writing, the site says:
- You should apply at least 4 days before arrival, within a 120-day window.
- The visa allows multiple entries and is valid for 60 days from first arrival.
- Up to two attendant visas are issued per patient.
- You need a letter on the hospital’s letterhead, with a tentative date for admission or treatment and your name, nationality and passport number.
- Biometrics are taken on arrival.
India’s Bureau of Immigration also lists regular medical visas (M1) and attendant visas (M2). Check the official site or an Indian mission before you make travel plans. Treatment should not start from assumptions about how long you can stay.
What to bring and sort out
- Your full reports, imaging on disc or by secure link, and a list of allergies.
- Medicines in their original packaging, with prescriptions and a list of both brand and generic names.
- Clear written information on what your treatment involves, and what happens if there are complications.
- Travel insurance that covers your plans. CDC suggests travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation. Ask whether the policy also covers the treatment and any complications.
Bringing medicine back to the UAE has its own rules. The UAE government says narcotic, psychotropic and controlled medicines cannot be freely imported, and some other medicines need a permit, so ask your doctor and check the official guidance before you fly home.
What medicAI can do
medicAI lists India for areas including cardiac care, oncology, transplants, orthopaedics, IVF and complex surgery. medicAI’s care managers can explain which hospitals may suit your case, how they compare and what is involved, including coordinating visas, travel, interpreters and follow-up by video after you return. Hospitals in India are independent, and they are responsible for your treatment. Read about how the process works.
If you develop chest pain, sudden leg swelling or difficulty breathing after you return to the UAE, do not wait for a follow-up. Call 998.
Questions people ask
What does NABH accreditation mean?
NABH is India’s body for healthcare quality benchmarks, operating under the Quality Council of India. Its accreditation shows that an organisation was assessed against its standards, though it does not guarantee any treatment outcome.
How do I check if an Indian hospital is accredited?
Search NABH’s Find an Accredited Healthcare Organisation page and JCI’s list of accredited organisations. Check the hospital’s exact name and status, because NABH’s list also shows organisations that are certified or empanelled.
How many people can come with me to India on an attendant visa?
India’s e-Visa site says up to two attendant visas can be issued per patient. Check the current rules for your nationality on the official site before you plan.
Sources and further reading
- National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH)
- Find an Accredited Healthcare Organisation (NABH)
- Accreditation | Joint Commission International (JCI)
- Find Accredited International Organizations (JCI)
- e-Visa (Government of India)
- List of Visas (Bureau of Immigration India)
- Medical Tourism: Travel to Another Country for Medical Care (CDC)
- Drugs and controlled medicines (UAE Government)
Read next
medicAI is not for emergencies. If someone is seriously ill or injured, call 998 or go to the nearest hospital.
This page is general information. It does not replace advice from a doctor who knows your situation. medicAI is a technology platform. Care is given by independent licensed facilities, who are responsible for it and for its outcome.
