Medical Visa from Bangladesh to India: Knee & Hip, 9 Essential Steps.

Last verified against official sources on 3 November 2026. By Priya, nurse and pharmacist |

A medical visa from Bangladesh to India for knee or hip replacement means a Medical visa (M-1) for the patient and Medical Attendant visas (M-2) for caregivers. The Government of India charges Bangladeshi nationals no visa fee. You pay only a BDT 1,500 processing fee at an Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC), and you need an appointment letter from a recognised Indian hospital.

Terms used in this guide

BDT: Bangladeshi taka, the currency of Bangladesh
IVAC: Indian Visa Application Centre, where you submit your application in Bangladesh
M-1 / M-2: Medical visa for the patient / Medical Attendant visa for a caregiver
FRRO: Foreigners Regional Registration Office in India

Quick facts: medical visa from Bangladesh to India

Item	Answer
Patient visa	Medical visa, sub-category M-1
Caregiver visa	Medical Attendant visa, sub-category M-2
Government visa fee	None for Bangladeshi passport holders
IVAC processing fee	BDT 1,500 per application, non-refundable, in force since 10 August 2025
Hospital requirement	Appointment letter from a hospital in India recognised by the Government of India, ICMR, NABH, MCI or CGHS, plus a copy of the invitation letter
Passport	Original, valid at least 6 months, with 2 blank pages, plus old passports
Patient is a minor	A parent or guardian must travel as the medical attendant
Official checklist	High Commission of India, Dhaka, 13 August 2026

What changed for Bangladeshi patients in 2026?

India resumed all visa categories for Bangladeshi nationals on 28 June 2026, after a suspension of nearly two years. Medical visas were available only on a limited basis during that period (The Financial Express, Bangladesh; bdnews24).

IVAC centres then introduced automated time slots for every visa category. Posts written before mid-2026 that say you can simply walk in are out of date.

Step 1: Get the Indian hospital’s appointment and invitation letters

Your visa is built around the hospital, so start here.

Send your medical records to the international patient department of the Indian hospital. Ask which imaging and records its orthopaedic team wants for knee or hip replacement, because hospitals differ.
Choose a hospital recognised by the Government of India, ICMR, NABH, MCI or CGHS. This is the High Commission’s requirement.
Obtain the letter of appointment and a copy of the invitation letter for the Medical visa.
Ask the hospital to state your expected treatment and follow-up period in the letter.

Your visa is linked to the hospital named on it. Treatment at another hospital needs prior permission from the FRRO (IVAC advisory for medical visa).

Step 2: Prepare the documents required for a medical visa from Bangladesh to India

The High Commission of India in Dhaka lists these documents for both the patient (M-1) and each attendant (M-2).

Original passport, valid at least six months from submission, with at least two blank pages.
Old passports, submitted with the application form.
One recent 2 x 2 inch colour photograph, full face, white background.
Copy of your National ID card or birth certificate.
Proof of residence: an electricity, gas or landline telephone bill not less than six months old.
Proof of financial soundness, any one of: six months of bank statements showing sufficient funds; a foreign-currency endorsement equivalent to US$200, no more than three months old; or an international credit card or travel card with its deposit statement.
Proof of profession: a government order, employer certificate, business registration (with English translation if needed), institution ID card or retirement papers, depending on your situation.
Medical documents from your local doctor supporting your condition, with your medical reports.
Letter of appointment from the recognised hospital in India.
Copy of the invitation letter (Medical visa).

The High Commission says this list is not final and it may ask for more documents. Some older IVAC pages mention a different endorsement amount, so follow the 13 August 2026 checklist.

Step 3: Complete the online form and the undertaking form

Fill in the online visa application for Bangladesh and print it. The patient and each attendant need a separate application.
Sign the visa undertaking form. IVAC now asks for it with every visa type, medical included. For a child, both parents sign.
Download the undertaking form only from the IVAC forms page, listed as “Mandatory Submission of Visa Undertaking Form”.

Step 4: Book your IVAC appointment

These rules come from IVAC’s appointment FAQ, effective 16 August 2026.

Book at appointment.ivacbd.com after completing the online form.
Slots for the next two weeks open every Thursday.
One account can book for up to four people.
There are no same-day slots, and a booked slot cannot be changed, cancelled or transferred.
An application registered at one centre cannot be submitted at another, for example Chattogram to Dhaka.

Never pay anyone for a slot. IVAC says no extra payment is needed to get or speed up an appointment.

Step 5: Submit your application at IVAC and pay the fee

Go to your IVAC centre at the booked time. Centres are in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna.
Hand in your passport, printed form, undertaking form and full document set.
Give your biometrics.
Pay BDT 1,500 per application, all inclusive. It is IVAC’s service charge, not a government visa fee, and it is not refunded (IVAC: For Bangladeshi Nationals).

Step 6: Arrange medical attendant (M-2) visas

Most joint replacement patients travel with a family caregiver. Each attendant applies separately with the same checklist and the hospital documents.

India’s Bureau of Immigration allows up to three medical attendants for Bangladeshi nationals on the regular visa route. If the patient is a minor, a parent or guardian must travel as the attendant.

Step 7: Plan your treatment dates and visa validity

No official processing time is published for Bangladesh medical visas, so apply as early as your hospital dates allow.

The High Commission decides validity and number of entries. Check the dates printed on your visa.

Your surgeon decides when you are fit to leave India after surgery. Plan your dates around the hospital’s written estimate from Step 1.

Step 8: Arrange your treatment money legally

Bangladesh Bank allows up to US$15,000 per trip for treatment abroad, supported by hospital or doctor documents. Up to US$5,000 can be cash and the rest goes on a card (The Financial Express, Bangladesh, 12 May 2025).

Larger amounts need central bank approval through your bank. Ask your bank before you travel, as limits can change.

Step 9: Follow the arrival rules in India

e-Arrival card: complete the online e-Arrival card within 72 hours before you arrive.
Entry ports: the High Commission says holders of multiple-entry visas can enter by road, rail or air through the ports written on the visa. If your visa has at least three months left, you can apply to add ports.
Hospital reporting: the hospital reports your arrival to the registration office within 24 hours. You do not report to the police.
FRRO registration: register within 14 days of arrival only if your visa is valid for more than 180 days or you will stay more than six months continuously. Register online at indianfrro.gov.in. Children under 12 are exempt.
Extension: a regular medical visa can be extended through the FRRO if you apply before it expires.

Can Bangladeshi patients use the e-Medical visa?

Bangladesh appears on the Government of India’s e-Visa country list. A Ministry of Home Affairs notice for Bangladeshi nationals says applicants need an invitation letter issued through the Medical and Ayush Visa portal.

The notice also says e-Visa holders can enter only through designated international airports with direct flight connectivity from Bangladesh. Sources differ on the attendant limit (two in current guides, three in the earlier notice), and an e-Visa cannot be extended.

If you want to travel by land, need more than two attendants or may need an extension, the regular IVAC route is safer. Check the e-Visa portal for current rules.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using a hospital that does not meet the High Commission’s recognition criteria
Following an outdated checklist or an old IVAC page
Forgetting the signed undertaking form
Booking the wrong IVAC centre
Paying an agent for an appointment slot
Applying too late for your surgery date

Frequently asked questions about the medical visa from Bangladesh to India

How much does an Indian medical visa cost for Bangladeshi patients?

There is no government visa fee. You pay IVAC’s BDT 1,500 processing fee per application, which is not refunded.

Which visa do I need for knee or hip replacement in India?

The patient applies for a Medical visa (M-1). Accompanying family members apply for Medical Attendant visas (M-2).

What letter do I need from the Indian hospital?

A letter of appointment from a recognised hospital and a copy of its invitation letter for the Medical visa.

How many attendants can travel with me?

Up to three on the regular visa route, per the Bureau of Immigration. The e-Visa limit is stated differently in different sources, so confirm on the e-Visa portal.

Is a bank statement mandatory?

The High Commission accepts one of three proofs: six months of bank statements, a US$200 currency endorsement under three months old, or an international credit or travel card with its deposit statement.

Can I change hospitals after I get my visa?

Only with FRRO permission, because the visa is linked to the hospital that invited you.

Do I need to register with the FRRO?

Only if your visa is valid for more than 180 days or you stay more than six months at a stretch. The hospital separately reports your arrival within 24 hours.

Official resources

This article is general information, not immigration or legal advice. The visa decision rests with the Indian authorities, and requirements can change at short notice.

Medical Visa from Bangladesh to India for Knee & Hip Replacement: 9 Essential Steps

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