Medical visa for India from Somalia
Everything Somalia patients need for an Indian medical visa — the route you are eligible for, the official fee, the full document list, attendant rules and what happens after you land. Taken from Embassy of India, Addis Ababa (also High Commission of India, Nairobi) and the Government of India portals, not from agents.
Read this before you apply
There is no Indian mission in Somalia
The Indian Embassy in Mogadishu closed in 1991. Somali patients apply at the Embassy of India in Addis Ababa or the High Commission of India in Nairobi, both of which have been asked to provide medical visas to Somali nationals.
You must already be lawfully in Ethiopia or Kenya
You must be physically present at the mission and lawfully in that country. Addis Ababa requires your passport to carry an Ethiopian immigration arrival stamp; Nairobi requires a valid Kenyan residence permit or an immigration arrival stamp.
A 25% advance payment to the hospital is required first
Under the revised guidelines the hospital must confirm receipt of roughly 25% of the estimated treatment cost before the visa moves forward, and must publish a refund policy covering patients who cannot travel or whose visa is refused. Ask for that refund policy in writing before you pay.
Which visa you can apply for
Somalia is not on India's e-Visa eligible list. You must apply for the paper Medical (MED) visa at Embassy of India, Addis Ababa (also High Commission of India, Nairobi).
Processing time
Around 2 days, longer if additional documents or clarifications are needed. In practice the clock starts only after the Indian hospital confirms receipt of the advance payment, and the Embassy interviews the patient and/or attendant.
Validity
Not stated officially. Somalia is excluded from the default six-month triple-entry option, so the Mission decides duration case by case.
Entries
Not stated officially — decided by the Mission.
Medical attendant visa
Stricter than elsewhere: one medical attendant is allowed by default, and a second only in exceptional circumstances. The attendant pays the same US$83. Patient and attendant must travel together and stay together. If the patient cannot attend in person for a critical medical reason, a close blood relative may approach the mission on their behalf.
Vaccination certificates
A polio certificate is mandatory — Somalia is listed by India's Health Ministry among countries with poliovirus circulation, and without an OPV/IPV certificate the vaccine is given at the point of entry. Somalia is not itself on India's yellow fever endemic list, but a certificate is effectively required because applicants transit Ethiopia or Kenya, which are endemic, and both missions list it among required documents.
Documents you need
As published by Embassy of India, Addis Ababa (also High Commission of India, Nairobi). Missing any one of these is the most common reason a medical visa application is rejected.
- 1Hard copy of the completed online application with two passport-size photographs
- 2Original passport with a photocopy of the front page
- 3Note Verbale from the Somali Embassy in Addis Ababa forwarding the application and verifying passport details (Addis route)
- 4Medical report from your local doctor or hospital, diagnosis of the ailment, and a referral letter
- 5Medical visa letter from the Indian hospital naming the patient and attendant with passport details
- 6Certificate of non-criminal record issued by the CID
- 7Latest bank statement; where a sponsor meets the costs, an authorisation letter and a copy of the sponsor's passport
- 8Proof of advance payment of about 25% of the estimated cost of treatment to the Indian hospital
- 9Original and copy of yellow fever and polio vaccination certificates
- 10Where a patient under 18 is not accompanied by parents, an authorisation letter from the parents
The hospital invitation letter
The most demanding of any country here. The letter must be on hospital letterhead with a unique reference number, ink-signed, stamped and dated, and must describe the disease and treatment plan and state an estimated cost including consultation and diagnostics. It must give the hospital's bank details with a request for a token payment of about 25% of that estimate, and the hospital must inform both the patient and the Embassy once payment is received. The hospital must also publish a refund policy for patients who cannot travel or whose visa is refused, and must email the letter and payment confirmation from its official address to the mission, copying the applicant.
This is the document we handle for you. Send us your diagnosis and reports and we obtain the invitation letter from the hospital in the format your mission requires — at no charge.
Fees and after you arrive
Official fee
US$83 per application, the same for the patient and the attendant. Non-refundable. A photocopy of the US dollar notes submitted as the fee must be attached to the application.
FRRO registration
No Somalia-specific rule. Register with the FRRO/FRO within 14 days of arrival only if your visa is valid for more than 180 days. Children under 12 are exempt.
Every figure on this page comes from official Government of India or Indian mission sources, last checked 2026-08. Visa rules change without notice — always confirm on the official portal before you pay or travel. Navaid.in is a medical-travel facilitator, not a visa agent, and does not submit visa applications on your behalf.
Questions Somalia patients ask
Can Somalia patients get an e-Medical visa for India?
No. Somalia is not on India's e-Visa eligible country list, so you must apply for the paper Medical (MED) visa through Embassy of India, Addis Ababa (also High Commission of India, Nairobi). US$83 per application, the same for the patient and the attendant. Non-refundable. A photocopy of the US dollar notes submitted as the fee must be attached to the application.
How much does the Indian medical visa cost?
US$83 per application, the same for the patient and the attendant. Non-refundable. A photocopy of the US dollar notes submitted as the fee must be attached to the application.
How long does it take?
Around 2 days, longer if additional documents or clarifications are needed. In practice the clock starts only after the Indian hospital confirms receipt of the advance payment, and the Embassy interviews the patient and/or attendant.
How many attendants can travel with the patient?
Stricter than elsewhere: one medical attendant is allowed by default, and a second only in exceptional circumstances. The attendant pays the same US$83. Patient and attendant must travel together and stay together. If the patient cannot attend in person for a critical medical reason, a close blood relative may approach the mission on their behalf.
What must the hospital invitation letter contain?
The most demanding of any country here. The letter must be on hospital letterhead with a unique reference number, ink-signed, stamped and dated, and must describe the disease and treatment plan and state an estimated cost including consultation and diagnostics. It must give the hospital's bank details with a request for a token payment of about 25% of that estimate, and the hospital must inform both the patient and the Embassy once payment is received. The hospital must also publish a refund policy for patients who cannot travel or whose visa is refused, and must email the letter and payment confirmation from its official address to the mission, copying the applicant.
Do I have to register with the FRRO after arriving?
No Somalia-specific rule. Register with the FRRO/FRO within 14 days of arrival only if your visa is valid for more than 180 days. Children under 12 are exempt.
Do I need any vaccination certificates?
A polio certificate is mandatory — Somalia is listed by India's Health Ministry among countries with poliovirus circulation, and without an OPV/IPV certificate the vaccine is given at the point of entry. Somalia is not itself on India's yellow fever endemic list, but a certificate is effectively required because applicants transit Ethiopia or Kenya, which are endemic, and both missions list it among required documents.