India is looking to expand its medical tourism industry and may offer visa-on-arrival for patients from countries like the US and Europe, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said Tuesday.
Speaking at the CII Annual Health Summit, Goyal said India’s medical tourism sector, which includes healthcare and wellness services, has a $1 trillion potential. He stressed that growth should not affect access to affordable healthcare for Indians.
The government is open to simplifying entry for patients from countries with strong institutional and security ties. “Visa-on-arrival and e-visas could be considered for the US and most European countries,” he said.
Goyal noted that long wait times in developed countries drive people to seek faster, affordable treatment abroad. He urged hospitals to balance services for foreign patients and Indians, and to support public health initiatives like Ayushman Bharat.
He also called for training 1,00,000 more nurses each year to meet demand. The number of AIIMS has grown from 7 in 2014 to 23 today, and medical colleges have nearly doubled. More medical seats will be added by 2029 to train more doctors.