IVF in India from the UK
NHS-funded IVF depends on where you live and can mean a long wait, and a private cycle in the UK is expensive. Many British Indians and NRIs look at treatment in India instead. Here's how cost, timing and paperwork compare, and how to plan most of it from home.
What a cycle costs
In India
₹1.5–2.5 lakh
≈ £1,200–1,950
A standard IVF cycle, before medication, ICSI, PGT or donor programmes. Converted at the 30 September 2026 rate; clinics quote and bill in rupees.
In the UK
£4,000–8,000
Typical range for one private IVF cycle in the UK once medication and common add-ons are included; London clinics are often at the top of it.
Add flights and a 2–3 week stay to the India figure, and compare itemised quotes rather than headline prices. Our cost comparison guide breaks down what to ask for.
Why patients from the UK choose India
No NHS waiting list
NHS eligibility and the number of funded cycles vary by area. In India, a cycle can usually start within weeks of your first consultation.
Lower cost per cycle
Even after flights and a stay, many patients find a cycle in India costs well under a private UK cycle. Compare itemised quotes, including medication.
Treatment near family
Many British Indian families choose a clinic in their home city, so there is support around them during treatment.
Direct flights from London reach Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and other cities in roughly 9–10 hours.
Planning your trip
Regulation
UK clinics are regulated by the HFEA; Indian clinics are not. In India, fertility clinics must be registered under the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021 — ask for the registration number, and check it on the clinic's profile.
Visa
British citizens need a visa for India unless they hold an OCI card. The e-Medical visa is applied for online with the clinic's invitation letter — check current eligibility and processing times on the official Indian e-Visa website.
Before you fly
Have a video consultation, share your UK test results, and agree which tests your GP or a private UK clinic can do before you travel, so your time in India is shorter.
Time off work
Plan roughly 2–3 weeks in India for a fresh cycle, or about a week for a frozen embryo transfer. Many patients split treatment into two trips.
Questions from the UK
How much does IVF in India cost compared with the UK?+
A standard IVF cycle in India is commonly ₹1.5–2.5 lakh. A private cycle in the UK is typically £4,000–8,000 once medication and add-ons are included. Add flights and a 2–3 week stay to the India figure when you compare.
Will my UK GP or NHS team help with aftercare?+
Your GP can usually arrange a pregnancy test and early pregnancy care as normal. Tell them about treatment abroad, and ask the Indian clinic for a written summary of the treatment and medication to share.
Who can have IVF in India?+
Under the ART (Regulation) Act, 2021, IVF and other assisted reproduction are open to married couples (the woman aged 21–50, the man 21–55) and to single women, including foreign nationals. Clinics must be registered under the Act — look for the ART registration number on a clinic's profile.
Can I have surrogacy in India?+
Not as a foreign national. India's Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 bans commercial surrogacy and limits altruistic surrogacy to eligible Indian couples and certain Indian women. The position for OCI cardholders has been contested in court, so if that applies to you, get current legal advice before planning anything.
Do I need an OCI card?+
No, but it helps: an OCI card works as a lifelong visa, so you can travel for treatment without applying for one. Without it, British citizens apply for an e-Medical visa.
Miro Connect is an independent discovery & enquiry platform, not a medical provider. We aggregate clinic information from publicly available sources such as Google Business Profile, clinic websites and patient-reported figures, and present it as-is: details on an unclaimed listing have not been confirmed by the clinic and may be incomplete, outdated or inaccurate, and any cost figure is an estimate rather than a quote. Nothing here is medical advice, a recommendation or an endorsement — verify a clinic's credentials and ART (Regulation) Act, 2021 registration directly before starting treatment. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Miro Connect accepts no liability for aggregated third-party information or for decisions taken on the basis of it; see our Terms of Use. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will review it.