Associated Press

New Delhi, July 9:

India is introducing a new visa category for foreigners coming here for long-term medical treatment, a news report said today, as increasing numbers of people stream in from abroad for low-cost health care.

The new medical visas will be valid for one year and can be extended for another, The Economic Times said.

Previously, most foreigners coming to India for health care entered on six-month extendable tourist visas.

The new visas are aimed at helping those who come for procedures

such as organ transplants, plastic surgery and joint replacements, the newspaper said.