The Attendant (MX) Visa

India issues a specific visa category for people accompanying a medical patient — the Attendant or MX-Visa. It is linked directly to the patient's Medical (M) Visa application and the treating hospital's invitation letter, and up to two companions can typically be approved per patient. The MX-Visa generally mirrors the validity period of the patient's M-Visa, so if surgery and recovery require a 30-day stay, the companion's visa is issued for the same window.

Documentation requirements are lighter than for the patient: a valid passport, passport-style photographs, and proof of relationship to the patient (such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate) in most cases. There is no separate medical review involved in the companion's application. For the patient-side visa process, see our full M-Visa guide.

Where companions stay

Accommodation needs change across the journey in two distinct phases:

  • During the inpatient stay: Most hospitals treating international patients provide on-site or adjacent guest rooms for one companion, often at reduced cost or included in the treatment package. This keeps the companion close for visiting hours and any urgent updates from the surgical team.
  • During the recovery period: Once the patient is discharged, both patient and companion typically relocate to a hotel or a dedicated wellness residence near the hospital for the remainder of the recovery window, before flying home or — for many cardiac and orthopaedic patients — continuing on to a recovery programme in Kerala.

Day-to-day logistics

A few practical items make the biggest difference to a companion's day-to-day experience:

  • Connectivity: A local SIM card or eSIM, arranged on arrival or in advance, makes coordinating with hospital staff, family back home, and your facilitator far easier.
  • Food: Most hospitals and recovery accommodations near major international patient centres have multi-cuisine options, but if you have specific dietary needs (low-salt, diabetic, vegetarian, etc.), flag this to your facilitator before arrival.
  • Local transport: Hospital-arranged transfers typically cover airport pickup and key appointments; for day-to-day movement, ride-hailing apps are widely used and straightforward to set up with an international card.
  • Visiting hours and ICU policy: Cardiac and major surgical ICUs have defined visiting windows — confirm these with the hospital coordinator before surgery day so there are no surprises.

Practical tips for companions

The companion's job during the inpatient phase is mostly about being present, reachable, and rested — not about managing logistics, which a good facilitator should already have handled.
  • Keep a printed and digital copy of the patient's diagnosis, treatment plan, and visa documents — useful at immigration, hospital admission, and in any unexpected situation.
  • Plan for some downtime: multi-week hospital stays are emotionally and physically tiring for companions too. Identify a few things nearby (a park, a café, a short walk) for breaks between visits.
  • Confirm in advance who at the hospital is your point of contact for daily updates if you are not physically present at every moment — most international patient departments assign a dedicated coordinator for exactly this.
  • If extending into a wellness or Ayurvedic recovery phase, ask early whether the companion can also join relevant low-intensity sessions (yoga, meditation) — many centres welcome this.

Frequently asked questions

How many companions can travel with a medical patient to India?

India's Attendant (MX) Visa typically allows up to two accompanying family members per patient, each requiring their own MX-Visa application linked to the patient's M-Visa and the hospital's invitation letter.

Does the companion need separate medical documentation?

No medical documentation is required for the companion — the MX-Visa is a logistics and identity-based application, not a clinical one. They do need their own passport, photographs, and proof of relationship to the patient in most cases.

Where do companions typically stay during the patient's hospital stay?

Most major hospitals offer on-site or adjacent guest accommodation for one companion at reduced or no cost during the inpatient period. For the recovery phase after discharge, companions and patients usually move together to a nearby hotel or wellness residence.

What should a companion plan for day-to-day during a multi-week hospital stay?

Practical essentials include a local SIM card or eSIM for connectivity, a clear daily routine around hospital visiting hours, identifying nearby food options that suit dietary needs, and budgeting for incidental costs like local transport, which a facilitator can usually estimate in advance.