Indian Medical Visa For Somalia Patients – Latest Process Update And Advanced Fees Requirement

Somalia has rich historical value, a unique culture, and a growing demand for overseas medical services. Advanced technologies and superior quality healthcare solutions attract several Somalian patients who want to travel long distances for treatment. Furthermore, the medical infrastructure in Somalia is still improving and inadequate to meet every healthcare demand of the population, especially for advanced disease treatments, which resulted in increasing demand for abroad medical treatments, especially in India.

India is the most preferred country for medical treatments in Somalia and the surrounding countries in South Africa. The medical advancement and innovations for every disease treatment make it a more prominent medical tourism destination for Somali citizens. A medical visa is essential for a foreigner to enter any country legally for medical treatments from reputed hospitals. The patient must follow all the steps, such as eligibility, application process, visa validity, and visa fees. Often, medical visas are misused by fraudulent websites and scams, so Somalian patients have asked for new visas with updated guidelines. This article will focus on visa eligibility, application process, documentation details, cost, and duration.

Recent Changes in Guidelines – Medical Invitation Letter for Somali Visa Applicants

Presently, due to the closure of the Indian Mission in Somalia, The Embassy of India in Addis Ababa issued a guideline that Somalian nationals should have medical and student visas for seeking medical treatment in India. Getting a medical visa will help Somalian patients to get guidance from medical attendants. The guidelines include:

• Each medical invitation letter should be provided by a professional letterhead of the hospital with a unique reference number date of issuing authority, and ink signed and stamped. It should also have a brief about the disease and treatment plan, and estimated treatment cost that includes all diagnoses, treatments, and follow-ups.
• The Medical Invitation letter should have hospital bank details with a request to the patient to get a token payment of approximately 25% of the estimated cost of treatments. Once the payment is done the patient can get in touch with Embassy for further process.
• Verification process by the Embassy to decide on the visa.
• The hospital should provide refunds to patients who are unable to travel in unforeseen situations or whose visas have been declined.
• Every Medical Invitation letter and payment confirmation receipt by the Somali patient along with document proof copies for the Indian Embassy and Ethiopian Embassy sent by email.

Medical Visa fees for processing from Somalia to India

Medical Visa processing fees depend on different factors, including medical treatment type, duration of stay, and fees declared by the Indian government for Somalians. The medical visa fees for Somalian Nations are USD 80 for a maximum of 6 months and USD 45600 SOS,000 for more than 6 months –  1 year.

Documents Required for Medical Attendant Visa 2024

• A printout of the duly filled online application form available at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/
• 2 recent passport-size photographs
• Appointment slip printout
• A referral letter by a local hospital or doctor who has diagnosed the disease and mentions the need to have treatment in India
• Indian Hospital medical invitation verifying the patient’s name, passport number, ailment, duration, and estimated cost of treatments.
• The local referral hospital in Somalia and the chosen Indian hospital should email the letter directly to the Visa section at [email protected]
• Original passport with photocopy
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate
• A statement from the bank shows enough funds to undergo treatment in India.
• If a patient’s treatment is sponsored by a relative or friend, then an underlying letter from that individual stating that they will bear the medical cost of the applicant along with the bank statement.
• Certificate of Non-Criminal Record

Sample Medical Invitation Letter Issued by Hospital in India for Somalian Patient Requiring Medical Visa 2024

Important Note: (To be issued on Hospital Letterhead)

To: Visa Consular

Indian Embassy (Address) Request for Medical Visa Dear Sir, ………………… (Patient’s name) has been advised to undergo …….. (Diagnosis at ………….. (Name of hospital and place) by our Sr. Consultant……… (Consultant’s Name) Department of …… (Specialty). The cost of treatment will be……. (Cost) and the duration of the treatment will be … (Duration). Passport details are given below for your kind reference.

Name of the Patient: ……………………………….………….

Passport Number: ……………………………….………….

Name of the companion (Attendant) ……………………………….………….

Passport number: ……………………………….………….

We request you to kindly issue a visa to him/ her and his/ her companion (attendant). Thank you, and I look forward to your early action.

Yours sincerely

Authorized Signatory with seal Telephone number: ……..……………….

Fax number: ……………………….………..

Email: ……………………………….………….

Somalia Medical Visa Verification Process 2024

According to revised guidelines on the issue of medical visas to Somali Nationals, the visa processing may take nearly 2 days. It may take a longer time for additional document clarification. The Embassy would interview patients or attendants and may verify additional documents from applicants and hospitals. Per application costs around USD 83. The verification process involves checking the name, visa number, Somalia local referral letter, Indian hospital medical invitation letter, and payment confirmation. The applicant can plan their visit once the visa is issued.

Somalia Medical Visa Payment Confirmation & Refund Process

After online visa application submission and payment, a patient will get a confirmation receipt from the Somali patient along with documentary proof, which should be separately sent to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and the Embassy of India by email. Visa fees, once deposited, cannot be refunded in any circumstances. However, in unforeseen conditions, the hospital will provide a refund policy where patients can get a refund for reasons beyond their control. In case of a visa decline, the patient is required to send a refund request to the Indian Embassy, where the application is submitted. The patient needs to provide a visa denial notice payment receipt and other necessary application copies or documents to the Indian Embassy. The refund will be provided using a similar method of payment, including a credit card or bank transfer. The refund time may take around one week – 1 month.

How to Protect Yourself from Visa Scams and Fraudulent Activities?

According to recent news updates, a massive visa scandal was detected at the Indian Embassy in Kenya, where Somali patients were exploited. A network of corruption was found involving Somalis, Indians, and Kenyans who were exposed within the Indian Embassy in Kenya. These groups were pressurizing Somali patients in a negative way to get treatment from India with a treatment cost of $92, visas being sold for $1500, creating barriers for depressed families seeking medical care urgency. Such schemes and frauds in management and staff are a cause of concern which raise questions about the safety of patients. However, the Somali government and the international community took immediate action and investigated to bring justice to a crucial matter. However, protect yourself from these scams and frauds with the following guidance:

• Choose the authorized institutions with government-approved visa authorities.
• Carefully evaluate the need for visa application, verify documents
• Avoid individual communication claiming to represent governmental agencies or third-party services.
• Avoid financial transactions to individual accounts; do it only with secure and traceable methods linked with hospital authorities.
• Seek advice from a trusted medical second opinion provider.

Frequently Asked Questions