❖ In a first-of-its-kind initiative, India will allow “friends” of diaspora members to get free visas.

❖ Up to five foreign nationals nominated by the OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card holders on a special website will be eligible for the gratis e-visa.

❖ The initiative is to be launched as part of a “Chalo India” campaign.

❖ OCI cardholders will need to register on the special website, which goes live in a few weeks, and enter the details of their nominated friends.

❖ They will then be assigned a unique code after verification.

❖ The designated friends can then use the special code to avail of a free visa.

❖ There are about four million OCI cardholders, as per the government records.

❖ They can invite as many friends as possible and will also earn rewards for each foreign visitor they successfully attract to India.