International Patients · Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit to KIMS Secunderabad — Medical Visa, Travel, Accommodation, and What to Expect
Travelling to India for medical treatment involves more logistical planning than a routine international trip — but it is a well-established and straightforward process for patients from most countries. The KIMS International Patient Coordinator guides every patient through each step from the initial enquiry through to airport arrival and admission. This page gives you the practical information upfront so you can plan with confidence.
Step 1 — Teleconsultation and treatment confirmation before any travel arrangements
Do not make any travel arrangements until you have completed your teleconsultation with the KIMS specialist and received a written treatment plan. Send your enquiry and medical records first — the KIMS Patient Relations team will contact you within 48 hours to arrange a video call with the relevant specialist at a time that works for your time zone. The teleconsultation confirms: whether KIMS can treat your specific condition, what the recommended procedure is, how long you will need to be in India, and what pre-operative investigations are needed before travel. Only with this information can you apply for the correct visa, book appropriate accommodation, and plan your stay accurately.
The KIMS International Patient Coordinator provides a confirmation letter summarising your treatment plan after the teleconsultation. This letter is required for the India Medical Visa application. Do not apply for the visa before receiving this letter.
India Medical Visa — how to apply
Most international patients travelling to India specifically for medical treatment require an India Medical Visa (e-Medical Visa) — a category separate from the standard tourist visa with a higher permitted duration of stay. Key details:
- Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in — the India Medical Visa is available as an e-visa for nationals of most countries. Check eligibility for your passport nationality before applying.
- Documents required: passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended departure date), recent passport photo, travel itinerary or booking confirmation, KIMS treatment confirmation letter (provided by the KIMS International Patient Coordinator after teleconsultation), and proof of funds for medical treatment and stay.
- Apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before your planned travel date. Processing typically takes 3 to 5 working days for approved applications, but applying early provides buffer for any queries.
- Medical Visa is typically granted as a double or triple entry visa, valid for 60 days per entry — which accommodates most planned procedure plus recovery stays. Extension: if treatment requires a longer stay than the original visa permits, apply to the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office), Hyderabad, for an extension. The KIMS coordinator assists with FRRO extension paperwork.
- Accompanying family members (spouse, parent, child) may apply for a Medical Attendant Visa — specifically for family members accompanying a medical patient. Maximum 2 attendants per patient.
- KIMS does not process visa applications — the visa application is the patient's responsibility. The KIMS coordinator provides the necessary support documentation.
Getting to KIMS Secunderabad
| Route | Detail |
|---|---|
| By air — Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (IATA: HYD) | Hyderabad's international airport is at Shamshabad, approximately 35 to 40km from KIMS Secunderabad. Journey time: 45 to 75 minutes by taxi depending on traffic (traffic is heavier during morning and evening peak hours). The airport has direct international flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Doha, London (Heathrow), and several other international destinations. |
| Airport transfer — KIMS arranged | The KIMS International Patient Coordinator can arrange an airport transfer on arrival. Provide your flight details (airline, flight number, arrival time) at least 24 hours before arrival. The driver will meet you at the airport arrivals hall with a KIMS namecard. |
| Airport transfer — self-arranged | Prepaid taxis available at the Hyderabad airport taxi counter in the arrivals hall. Ola and Uber also operate from the airport — download the app before travel and enable international payment. |
| KIMS address | KIMS Institute of Renal Sciences & Advanced Urology, 1-8-31/1 Minister Road, Secunderabad, Telangana 500003, India. Share this address with any taxi driver. Google Maps: search 'KIMS Hospitals Secunderabad'. |
| From Secunderabad railway station | KIMS is approximately 2 to 3km from Secunderabad Railway Station — 10 minutes by auto-rickshaw or taxi. |
How long will I need to stay in India?
| Procedure | Minimum recommended stay in India (procedure + post-operative review before discharge clearance) |
|---|---|
| Living Donor Kidney Transplant | 3 to 4 weeks — typically 10 to 14 days hospitalisation post-transplant, then outpatient reviews for 1 to 2 weeks before travel fitness is confirmed. |
| ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplant | 5 to 6 weeks — includes 4 to 6 weeks of pre-transplant plasmapheresis and desensitisation protocol, plus the transplant hospitalisation and post-operative review period. |
| TULSA-PRO (prostate) | 5 to 7 days — day-care procedure; catheter removal at 5 to 7 days; travel fitness confirmed at outpatient review. |
| Robotic Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) | 10 to 14 days — 2 to 3 night hospitalisation; catheter removal at 7 days; outpatient review before travel clearance. |
| Robotic Partial Nephrectomy (RAPN) | 10 to 14 days — 2 to 3 night hospitalisation; post-operative review before travel clearance. |
| HoLEP (laser prostate surgery) | 7 to 10 days — 1 to 2 night hospitalisation; follow-up before travel clearance. |
| RIRS (kidney stone — day care) | 3 to 5 days — day-care procedure; stent check or removal before travel. |
| Mini-PCNL (kidney stone) | 5 to 7 days — 1 to 2 night hospitalisation; post-operative imaging before travel clearance. |
| Kidney Biopsy (second opinion) | 3 to 5 days — day-care procedure; report available within 5 to 7 working days (can be shared remotely if you have already left India). |
Accommodation in Secunderabad
KIMS Secunderabad does not operate a patient guest house on-site. The International Patient Coordinator can recommend hotels and serviced apartments in the Secunderabad and Begumpet area at different price points, within 10 to 20 minutes of KIMS. Options range from budget hotels to 4 and 5-star business hotels. For patients requiring extended stays (pre-transplant workup, extended recovery), serviced apartments with kitchen facilities are available and more practical than hotel rooms for multi-week stays. Advise the coordinator of your budget and family size when requesting accommodation options.
Currency and payment at KIMS
- Currency: Indian Rupee (INR). Exchange available at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport arrivals hall and in Secunderabad city centre.
- Credit and debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express accepted at the KIMS billing desk. Inform your bank before travel that you will be making large medical payments in India — some banks flag international medical payments and temporarily block cards.
- International bank transfer: for advance payment of the deposit required for planned procedures, international wire transfer is accepted. KIMS billing team provides bank details and SWIFT code on request.
- The KIMS International Patient Coordinator provides a written cost estimate before admission so you can arrange funds in advance.
Climate and when to travel
Hyderabad has a hot semi-arid climate. For patients planning elective procedures with a recovery stay of several weeks, the most comfortable periods are October to February (mild, 18 to 28°C, low humidity) and early March (before summer heat intensifies). March to June is very hot (35 to 42°C). July to September is the monsoon season (high humidity, moderate rainfall). For urgent or time-sensitive procedures, travel whenever medically appropriate — indoor hospital environments are fully air-conditioned year-round.
Ready to plan your visit?
Contact the KIMS International Patient Coordinator