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To travel for treatment in some countries, foreigners need a permit to cross the border. The visa issue can be either purely formal (visa-free regime or simplified on arrival visa at the airport), or a sufficiently responsible process. In the case of the latter, a certain package of documents is required and the purpose of the visit is confirmed prior to arrival in a chosen country. Each country has its own rules of entry. In this article, MediGlobus experts will talk about the basic points associated with entering different countries for treatment.
TOURIST OR MEDICAL VISA?
One of the most common questions when you need a visa is its type. In this situation, there are two possible versions of the visa for entry – tourist and medical. Each type has its own characteristics, we will discuss them separately. TOURIST VISA The type of visa, in which the grounds for entry are tourism. In this case, the patient does not receive support from the hospital or the host country, and he is responsible for processing all necessary documents and permits.
Pros: There is no need to prepay deposit in the hospital.
Cons: Lengthy process of clearance (risks are not to reach clinic in planned dates),
The need for supporting documents proving the purpose of the trip.
MEDICAL VISA
A special type of visa, meaning a trip solely for treatment purposes. In this situation, the patient receives an invitation from the clinic, which confirms the purpose of his trip. The hospital may require prepayment of a deposit account (prepayment of the cost of treatment, which not only confirms the financial guarantees, but also the patient’s intentions).
A medical visa is issued in for dates indicated by the hospital in the invitation, which greatly simplifies the entire situation with calculation of the time limits for processing the documents.
In case of entry refusal (for example, if a scam was proved), the amount credited to the deposit account is returned upon submission of the required documents.
Pros: Exact time guaranteed (the date of the visit is indicated in the invitation);
Short term for processing documents (there are known cases of issuing medical visa even in 3 days);
Guarantees of visit purpose from the hospital (presence of an invitation);
Possible to extend visa if necessary directly by the hospital.
Cons: An advance payment may be required.
WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS OF OBTAINING VISA IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES? (ISRAEL, EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES, TURKEY, SOUTH KOREA)
Most often, patients open specifically a medical visa, especially if there is a need for surgical interventions or long-term treatment (for example, rehabilitation). With this type, there are many positive aspects, which makes it possible to make a trip for the treatment as comfortable as possible.
To a greater extent, this applies to treatment in countries with a visa regime, especially if the clinic is located in one of the EU countries, North America or Asia (India, South Korea, China).
We draw your attention to: an invitation from the clinic does not guarantee visa. The decision to issue this document, as well as the permission to enter the country, is taken exclusively by the competent authorities (border services, consulate, embassy).
EUROPE
All EU hospitals issue invitations and confirm the fact of the patient’s arrival for treatment, but one of the conditions for obtaining documents is prepayment of medical services by bank transfer (payment of a deposit account).
The deposit account is issued to the patient for pre-payment and can vary within 10% – 100% of the cost of treatment (the percentage of prepayment is determined by the hospital in accordance with the requirements of the EU migration services and depends on the weight of the criteria in each case).
The invitation usually details the passport data of the patient, accompanying person, the dates of the planned consultations (surveys, operations), the expected length of stay, and the amount transferred to the hospital account as financial guarantees. All information provided by the hospital is checked by the staff of international missions on the fact of the patient filing the documents for the visa.
ISRAEL
If documents are filed for Israel, patients may face a lot of particular issues. A visa-free regime is open for many countries. However, it does not give the right to not have an invitation and medical documents when crossing the state border.
The peculiarity is also the fact that the customs-border control of Israel is one of the most strictest and complex in the world. Such checks are conducted solely for the security of citizens and guests of the country.
TURKEY
The Turkish destination is considered accessible for entry due to the availability of visa-free regime for many countries or an easy process of visa. In 90% of cases, patients do not need an invitation from the clinic, but for countries in Asia and the Middle East and the Far East (Arab region), duly executed documents may be required, especially for countries with a high percentage of migration to Turkey.
SOUTH KOREA
In South Korea, the situation with entry issues was largely due to the presence of regions with increased migration. So patients travelling from certain countries will have difficulties in getting into the country, in many situations clinics may refuse to issue an invitation, even if the deposit account is paid. Nevertheless, for many states here acts as a simplified entry (Kazakhstan, Russia, etc.), and the standard visa regime. Most patients need to open a medical visa to enter the country for treatment.
WHAT ABOUT RELATIVES / ACCOMPANYING PERSON?
Only 30% of patients go for diagnosis and treatment alone, 70% prefer to travel with an accompanied relatives. For the accompanying person, it is necessary to issue the same visa as for the patient, in the countries where it is necessary to receive the invitation of the hospital to issue a medical visa, the accompanying person’s data is entered in the invitation to determine the grounds for arrival. Patient can travel without any difficulty, accompanied by one or two family members.
WHAT TO DO IF THE TREATMENT IS LONGER THAN THE TIME IN VISA?
Sometimes the duration of treatment becomes longer than was originally planned. If the tactics of treatment require the patient to be in the country then there is a need to extend the visa. This issue is solved quickly enough with the help of the hospital or an official representative of the clinic, agent, by issuing the necessary documents in the migration service.
HOW FAST IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET A VISA?
Taking into account the migration trends of the population and the urgency of receiving medical assistance, the simplest and quickest way to obtain an entry permit remains with a medical visa.
For detailed advice on treatment abroad, contact the MediGlobus experts team.
