Medical Attendant Visa

What Is a Medical Attendant Visa? Requirements, Documents & Application Guide

A medical attendant visa is issued to a family member or companion who travels with a patient receiving medical treatment abroad. It is linked to the patient's medical visa and is usually granted for the same period.

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By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Updated 2026-09-15

Find requirements by country

Pick a destination and your passport — we'll open the right guide.

Destination

Passport

Purpose

Allowing a relative or companion to accompany and care for a patient travelling for treatment.

Who it’s for

A spouse, parent, child or close relative of the patient, where the destination permits an attendant.

How you apply

Applied for alongside or after the patient's medical visa, with proof of the relationship and treatment.

How Krosz helps

Krosz helps you understand whether the destination allows an attendant, prepare the relationship evidence, and submit the application. We are a private service, not a government authority.

Destinations

Where you can go — 8 countries

Researched from official immigration sources. Each country has its own detailed guide.

United Arab Emirates

AE

Patient Companion Entry Permit (linked to the patient's medical treatment entry permit)

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Not separately stated for companions; tied to the patient's permit (patient's Dubai medical permit may be valid for 90 or 180 days).
See requirements

Thailand

TH

Non-Immigrant Visa (O) / Tourist Visa (MT) for Medical Treatment - accompanying persons

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Non-O (medical): single entry, valid 90 days from issue, stay up to 90 days per entry. Tourist MT: generally up to 60 days (per Thai MFA visa information).
See requirements

Singapore

SG

Singapore Entry Visa (general visit visa used by companions)

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Length of stay is set by the e-Pass at entry, not by the visa validity.
See requirements

United States

US

B-2 Visitor Visa (companion of a medical treatment visitor)

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Admission period is decided by US Customs and Border Protection at entry; not fixed by the visa.
See requirements

United Kingdom

GB

Standard Visitor visa (companion of a patient receiving private treatment)

Money needed
Must show enough money for the visit; no fixed amount published.
Stay
Up to 6 months on a Standard Visitor visa; up to 11 months on the longer medical visitor visa (patient).
See requirements

Germany

DE

Schengen short-stay visa (C) - medical treatment / accompanying person

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
See requirements

South Korea

KR

Medical Tourism Visa C-3 (M) / G-1 (M) - patient and accompanying family

Money needed
See official source
Stay
C-3 (M): 90 days or less. G-1 (M): one-year stay (described as one-year multiple entry).
See requirements

Japan

JP

Visa for Medical Stay - Accompanying Person

Money needed
See official source
Stay
Same visa as the patient; patient's period of stay is 90 days, 6 months or 1 year depending on clinical condition. Multiple-entry visas valid up to 3 years may be issued.
See requirements

Figures come from each country's official immigration source, linked on every guide. Always confirm before applying.

Overview

What is a Medical Attendant Visa?

A medical attendant visa authorises a named companion to travel with a patient who holds a medical visa. It exists because some patients cannot manage travel and treatment alone.

The attendant's stay is tied to the patient's treatment period. If the patient's medical visa is extended or shortened, the attendant's visa usually follows.

Not every country offers a separate attendant visa; some allow the companion to travel on a regular visitor visa, while others require the attendant category.

Who needs it

  • A close family member of a patient who cannot travel alone due to age, illness, disability or the nature of the treatment.
  • Companions named by the patient and accepted by the destination's rules (usually limited to one or two attendants).
  • Travellers whose presence is genuinely to assist the patient, not for tourism.

Who may not

  • If the destination allows the companion to travel on a standard visitor visa, a separate attendant visa may not be required.
  • Patients who can travel independently do not need an attendant at all.
  • Some countries fold attendant rights into the patient's medical visa without a separate application.

Exemptions depend on your nationality, destination and circumstances — always confirm for your exact case.

Activities

What you can do with it

Caring for the patient

Assisting the patient during travel and treatment.

Staying at the hospital

Being present with the patient during the hospital stay.

Communicating with staff

Helping the patient coordinate with doctors and hospital staff.

Same period as patient

Staying for the duration matching the patient's medical visa.

What you normally cannot do

  • Use the attendant visa to work or conduct business.
  • Stay beyond the patient's treatment period.
  • Travel separately from the patient in some countries (rules vary).
  • Use the visa for tourism independent of the patient's treatment.

Documents

Common requirements

Only documents relevant to this category. Exact requirements vary by country — confirm for your destination.

Passport

Valid with sufficient blank pages and validity beyond the treatment period.

Photograph

Recent photo meeting the destination's rules.

Application form

Completed attendant visa application.

Relationship evidence

Proof of relationship to the patient (marriage/birth certificate).

Patient's medical visa

Copy of the patient's medical visa or approval.

Hospital letter

Letter from the hospital naming the attendant where required.

Financial evidence

Proof of funds for the attendant's stay, or sponsorship by the patient.

Process

How to apply

Steps may differ by destination and your circumstances.

  1. 1

    Confirm the patient visa

    Ensure the patient's medical visa is applied for or approved.

  2. 2

    Check attendant rules

    Confirm the destination allows an attendant and how many.

  3. 3

    Prove the relationship

    Gather marriage/birth certificates showing the relationship to the patient.

  4. 4

    Apply & pay

    Submit the attendant application alongside or after the patient's.

  5. 5

    Processing

    The authority verifies the relationship and the patient's treatment.

  6. 6

    Decision

    Receive the attendant visa tied to the patient's medical visa period.

Need help with your Medical Attendant Visa?

Tell us where you're going — a Krosz visa expert will walk you through it.

Comparison

Medical Attendant Visa vs Visitor Visa for a Companion

Point of comparisonMedical Attendant VisaOrdinary Visitor Visa
BasisTied to the patient's medical visaIndependent short-stay visit
Stay lengthMatches the patient's treatment periodStandard tourist stay limit
Key documentRelationship proof + patient's medical visaItinerary, accommodation, funds
PurposeCaring for the patientTourism or social visit

Be prepared

Why applications get refused

  • Insufficient proof of relationship to the patient.
  • Patient's medical visa not approved or not provided.
  • Too many attendants requested beyond the destination's limit.
  • Inconsistencies between the attendant's and patient's travel dates.
  • Concerns that the attendant's real purpose is tourism rather than care.
Explore rejection intelligence

Practical

Tips before applying

  • Apply for the attendant visa alongside the patient's medical visa when possible.
  • Carry original relationship documents (marriage/birth certificates).
  • Keep travel dates identical to the patient's treatment dates.
  • Check the maximum number of attendants allowed by the destination.
  • Carry a copy of the patient's medical visa and hospital letter when you travel.
  • Confirm whether the attendant must travel on the same flights as the patient.

FAQ

Common questions

About the Medical Attendant Visa, answered by Krosz visa experts.

What is a medical attendant visa?

A visa for a close family member or companion to travel with and care for a patient receiving treatment abroad, tied to the patient's medical visa.

Who can be a medical attendant?

Usually a spouse, parent, child or close relative. The destination sets who qualifies and how many attendants are allowed.

Is the attendant visa separate from the patient's medical visa?

It is a separate visa but linked: its validity and stay usually match the patient's medical visa period.

Can the attendant stay after the patient leaves?

Generally no. The attendant's stay is tied to the patient's treatment. Staying beyond that needs a separate visa.

What documents prove the relationship?

Marriage certificates, birth certificates or equivalent legal documents showing the family relationship to the patient.

Do all countries offer a medical attendant visa?

No. Some allow the companion on a regular visitor visa; others require a dedicated attendant category. Check the destination.

Can the attendant work on this visa?

No. Medical attendant visas do not allow employment.

Can there be more than one attendant?

Some countries allow one or two attendants; the exact limit varies. Confirm before applying.

Not sure which country fits? Ask us.

Share your trip and a Krosz visa expert will explain the medical attendant visa process for your destination. No documents or payment needed at this stage.

Related

Related visa types

Krosz is a private visa & travel assistance service — not a government website, agency or embassy. Visas are granted solely by the relevant government authorities.

Krosz is a private visa assistance platform and is not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Last reviewed: 2026-09-15.

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