The Ministry of Tourism formulated the National Strategy & Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism, an initiative toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat. One of those initiatives was the ‘Heal in India’ initiative. The Ministry of AYUSH suggested Medical Value Travel (MVT). Over a year ago, a separate category of Visas—the AYUSH Visas—was introduced.

These were for foreigners solely visiting India to avail themselves of treatment under the AYUSH system of medicine.

Four sub-categories of AYUSH visas are:

i)AYUSH Visa (AY-1) - For the foreigner seeking treatment.

ii)eAYUSH Visa - Also for the foreigner seeking treatment.

iii)AYUSH Attendant Visa(AY-2) - For their attendants

iv)e-AYUSH Attendant Visa - Also for their attendants

Individuals seeking an AY Visa shall submit the Accredited AYUSH institution-issued medical invitation letter. This shall enable them to seek therapeutic care and wellness in AYUSH hospitals accredited by the National Commission for Homeopathy(NCH)/ National Accreditation Boards for Hospitals(NABH) /National Commission for Indian System of Medicine(NCISM).

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the first official ‘one-stop’ portal to provide foreigners with information about MVT.