{"id":1264,"date":"2013-09-13T07:17:55","date_gmt":"2013-09-13T07:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drprem.com\/medical-tourism\/?p=1264"},"modified":"2013-09-27T12:40:55","modified_gmt":"2013-09-27T12:40:55","slug":"stricter-visa-rules-creating-hurdles-in-the-path-of-medical-tourism-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drprem.com\/medical-tourism\/stricter-visa-rules-creating-hurdles-in-the-path-of-medical-tourism-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Stricter visa rules creating hurdles in the path of medical tourism in India"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Some of the leading hospital groups in India are considering building medical facilities in other Asian countries that are leading in terms of medical tourism. A major reason contributing to this idea is the visa regulation in India. India, which has always remained a gainer in terms of medical tourists from developed countries, has started losing its shine as patients are turning toward healthcare facilities in Singapore or Thailand. This has been happening due to stricter visa norms in India.<\/p>\n

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A few health experts suggest that patients are forced to visit an immigration office under India\u2019s special visa rules. This has been driving them away from India and taking them to other neighboring countries that have comparatively relaxed visa norms. If government fails to take steps in this direction, it could hinder India\u2019s growth in the $40 billion medical tourism market that has ever been growing. The result could also be a shattered dream of India becoming a global healthcare destination. If Indian government facilitates the healthcare sector through easier visa rules, the medical tourism market could even grow by 10 times within the next five years.<\/p>

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According to some experts, giving faster clearance to patients at immigration points and processing medical visas on the same-day basis could boost India\u2019s chances of attracting a large number of medical tourists from all over the world. Several hospital groups are setting up their facilities in other countries just because they are not receiving sufficient number of medical tourists within India. The special visa that India grants to its medical tourists is generally valid for one year, but it requires patients to complete their registration within two weeks of arrival. Fulfilling this condition is not always feasible for a medical tourist.<\/p>\n

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Patients generally visit another country for medical treatments when they face some complex medical conditions. Many a times, it is not possible for a severely ill person to travel to the registration office for getting him\/her registered. Thus, patients find it insulting to follow such strict procedures in relation to their special visa. This drives them away and motivates them to choose another destination for their medical trip. Additionally, a medical visa also costs higher than a tourist visa. India does not even offer a medical visa for residents of some nations. All these factors are leading many medical tourists to go to neighboring countries that are offering similar healthcare services at affordable prices.<\/p>\n

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