Pre-Budget Policy Signals Could Accelerate India’s Medical Tourism Growth

Budget 2026, tourism and hospitality leaders have urged the government to ease visa rules and provide clearer GST guidelines. These demands could significantly impact the medical tourism and travel sector. For Globalcare Health, these developments present a major opportunity to strengthen India’s position as a preferred global destination.

The gaps in global healthcare could be bridged by personalized treatment and easier access through visas, which would take away one of the main difficulties in medical travel. The patients who are looking for advanced but affordable medical care will find India more accessible if visa approvals are faster, easier, and more predictable. Along with this, the proper categorization of GST on health packages, lodging and related services would lower cost-related obstacles and make it possible for international tourists to travel economically.

These pre-budget discussions align with the government’s broader Heal in India vision, which seeks to expand India’s global medical footprint and improve patient experience through integrated services, digital platforms, and cross-border collaborations. Experts believe that improved visa processes and fiscal clarity can accelerate growth beyond major metro hubs, helping India attract patients from Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and emerging markets.

“In medical tourism, even small policy shifts around visas, accreditation, travel ease and insurance portability can quickly change patient flows and open up new geographies and we need this policy momentum in the country. For India, the opportunity is to move from being seen only as a ‘value’ destination to being recognised for superlative quality, seamless travel and coordinated post-treatment support. Stronger public–private collaboration can then translate these gains into better infrastructure and more reliable service delivery on the ground. As more international patients look for one-stop, end-to-end care journeys rather than standalone procedures, GlobalCare Health is focusing on building these integrated pathways by connecting hospitals, facilitators and travel partners, so that choosing India for treatment feels simpler, safer and more outcome-focused,” said Rajeev Taneja Founder, GlobalCare Health.