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.