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Newstrack
MOT extends validity of Mvisa to 3 years
Reema Sisodia - Mumbai
The ministry of Tourism (MOT), government of India has further enhanced the
Mvisa and MXvisa, which it had introduced in January this year. Mvisa or medical
visa was introduced specifically to facilitate inbound medical tourism. Mvisa
was earlier valid for six months but now the validity has been extended to three
years, provided the tourist can furnish a recommendation and sanction for the
same from the doctor.
According to an official from the MoT, the ministry of external affairs (MEA)
has communicated to the embassies of 18 countries informing them of this new
development and also stated that the Mvisa procedures will now be completed
within 48 hours. The Mvisa and MXvisa which is for attendant / family members
accompanying the patient were introduced to provide further impetus to the inbound
medical tourism sector. MXvisa is granted to the spouse/children or blood relations
of the patients. However, not more than two attendants will be granted miscellaneous
visas at a time. Tourists availing this visa are also required to get themselves
registered with the local FRROs/FROs within 14 days of arrival.
Medical and wellness tourism has been declared as a priority
segment and the MoT has dedicated series of talks and lectures at the ITB Berlin
2007 on the subject. Speaking at a recently held India Health Conclave organised
by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in Mumbai, Ambika Soni, union minister
for tourism and culture, Government of India said, "India today provides
state-of-the-art medical facilities at affordable prices. It is also a haven
for wellness tourism, as India is known for its specialties in the field of
Ayurveda, meditation and yoga techniques to combat illness and also for healing.
We have packages in place for medical tourists and we need the support of the
private entities both in the field of medicine and tourism to take this forward."
According to MOT, 1,50,000 medical tourists visited India last year. Dr Rajkrishnan,
CEO, Dr Rajkrishnan's Dental Clinic, Kochi, Kerala and also core group member
of the CII, Kerala said, "The decision to extend the tenure of Mvisa is
a welcome move and it will help in our efforts to promote medical tourism in
the country.“
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