Abroad Guide BDMedical Treatment in India for Bangladeshi Patients: Visa, Hospitals, Costs (2026)
AYUSH invitation letter, MED visa, and which hospital for which condition — the complete hub for BD patients.
- AYUSH Medical Visa Reference Number on invitation letter: mandatory since April 2025
- MED visa: up to 1 year, triple-entry
- Up to 3 attendants allowed for BD patients (vs 2 global default)
- Medical visas are processed with priority among the restored categories
- Typical processing: 7–10 working days
- Hospital change after arrival requires FRRO approval
- FRRO registration required if continuous stay exceeds 180 days
- IVAC service charge: ৳1,500 BDT cash | Government fee: ৳0 (gratis)
Why Bangladeshi patients go to India for treatment
India offers proximity (2–3 hours by air from Dhaka), a shared cultural and linguistic context, and access to subspecialty care in cardiac surgery, oncology, transplants, and neurology that may not be available at equivalent quality in Bangladesh. Historically, Bangladeshi patients represented approximately 70% of India’s medical value tourism. The proximity and language comfort — most Indian hospitals have Bengali-speaking coordinators — make it the default overseas choice for serious medical cases.
Which hospital for which condition
❤ Cardiac
Narayana Health (Kolkata), Apollo, Fortis Escorts (Delhi NCR), Medanta. Cardiac guide →
🦠 Oncology / Cancer
Tata Memorial (Mumbai), Apollo Cancer Centre, AIIMS Delhi, Fortis. Cancer guide →
🧠 Liver Transplant
Medanta Gurugram, Apollo Delhi, AIG Hyderabad. Liver transplant →
🧞 Kidney Transplant
Apollo, Manipal, Max, Fortis. Kidney transplant →
🦵 Orthopaedic
Max (Delhi NCR), Apollo, Manipal. Orthopaedic guide →
🧠 Neurology
Apollo, NIMHANS (Bangalore), AIIMS. Neurology guide →
🌾 IVF / Fertility
Select IVF centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata. IVF guide →
🏥 Government Tier
AIIMS Delhi (PG-level care at controlled costs). AIIMS guide →
Indicative cost ranges (June 2026, BDT)
| Treatment | Indicative range (BDT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac bypass (CABG) | ৳4–8 lakh | Private hospital; implant grade affects cost |
| Cardiac valve replacement | ৳5–10 lakh | Mechanical vs biological valve |
| Liver transplant (LDLT) | ৳30–60 lakh | Highly variable; centre-specific |
| Kidney transplant | ৳20–40 lakh | Excluding post-transplant meds |
| Cancer treatment (chemo cycle) | ৳1–3 lakh per cycle | Protocol-dependent |
| Joint replacement (knee) | ৳3–6 lakh | Implant grade affects cost |
| IVF (one cycle) | ৳1.5–3 lakh | Excludes medication |
As of June 2026. Indicative ranges only — actual costs vary by hospital, doctor, and patient profile. Always request a written estimate from the International Patient Desk before applying for a visa. Source: hospital published rates + AGB patient cases.
How to get a hospital invitation letter (AYUSH reference)
Contact the Indian hospital’s International Patient Desk with your medical reports, passport copy, and case summary. The hospital generates an AYUSH Medical Visa Reference Number on the government portal and issues a formal invitation letter. This letter is mandatory for your medical visa application. See the full guide: how to get a hospital invitation letter.
Financial proof for the medical visa
You need bank statements showing funds to cover treatment costs plus attendant accommodation and travel. The Probashi Kallyan Bank offers a dedicated medical loan for treatment abroad. If the patient has no income, a sponsor can provide an affidavit. See financial proof guide.
Attendant visa: up to 3 caregivers
Bangladesh-origin patients are allowed up to 3 accompanying attendants on MED X visas — one more than the global default of 2. Attendants need relationship proof (marriage certificate, birth certificates) notarised and apostilled via MOFA. See MED X attendant visa guide.
FRRO registration for stays over 180 days
If your treatment requires a continuous stay exceeding 180 days, register with FRRO within 14 days of arrival at indianfrro.gov.in. See FRRO registration for medical patients.
What has changed since 2024
The August 2024 government transition in Bangladesh disrupted normal visa operations, reducing Bangladeshi patient volumes significantly (arrivals dropped 67% in December 2024 year-on-year). The February 2026 restoration prioritised medical visas, and as of June 2026 they are being processed within the typical 7–10 working day window. IVAC capacity remains at roughly 15–20% of pre-disruption levels.
What is the AYUSH Medical Visa Reference Number?
A reference number generated by your designated Indian hospital on the Indian government AYUSH portal. It is printed in your invitation letter and is mandatory for medical visa applications since April 2025.
How many attendants can accompany a Bangladeshi patient?
Up to three attendants on MED X visas — one more than the global default of two. This is a Bangladesh-specific concession in India’s visa rules.
Can I change my designated hospital after arriving in India?
Only with FRRO approval. The hospital named on your invitation letter is tied to your visa. If you need to change hospitals, apply for a Hospital Change endorsement at the nearest FRRO office before switching.
Do I need FRRO registration for my medical visa?
Only if your continuous stay exceeds 180 days. Register at the local FRRO office or via e-FRRO at indianfrro.gov.in within 14 days of arrival.
Is fast-track processing available for medical emergencies?
IVAC prioritises genuine medical emergencies but does not offer paid fast-track. Document your case clearly with medical reports and the hospital invitation. For urgent cases, contact the IVAC helpline (09612 333 666).
Medical Visa (MED) · Attendant Visa (MED X) · Invitation Letter (AYUSH) · Financial Proof · Apollo Hospitals · Tata Memorial · Narayana Health · India Hub
AGB Content Verification
- ✓ Fact-checked: 2026-06-05
- ✓ Next update: 2026-09-05
- ✓ Sources: mea.gov.in, ivacbd.com, ayush.gov.in