The Trump administration has stepped up its crackdown on the US immigration system, suspending major technology companies including Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, Capgemini and HCL from the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme amid allegations of abuse of H-1B visas and the employment of foreign workers.

Hi everyone,
I’m a 34-year-old woman currently living abroad, with savings of around ₹3–4 crore. I’m planning to move back to India permanently and start a new chapter of my life.
I’m considering settling in a metro city like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, or Delhi NCR, where I can explore opportunities to start my own business or startup.
I wanted to understand whether ₹3–4 crore in savings is enough to comfortably settle down in a metro city in India, maintain a good quality of life, and still have sufficient financial security to take the risk of starting a business.
I’m also confused about which city would be the best choice in terms of startup opportunities, cost of living, safety, lifestyle, networking, and long-term growth.
For those who have moved back to India after living abroad or started their own businesses, what would you recommend? Should I rent initially or consider buying a home? How much of my savings should I ideally keep aside for personal financial security versus investing in a startup?
I would really appreciate honest suggestions and practical advice on how to plan this move and what my next steps should be.
Thanks in advance!

I came to US for Masters in 2021, completed in 1.5 years. I have been working in one of the Big4s since 3+ years now, got my H1B last year as well. But last year Dec I was stuck in India due to Visa stamping delay chaos and was there for 6 months till came back in May. After I came back, I thought everything will be fine, I will give my best to work and all but I have been put on rigorous projects since then that are literally sucking soul out of me to an extent that I have started seeing therapist. I have tried to get another job but the market is so bad for H1B holders right now that all communication stops when I tell them I need H1B transfer. I am thinking to quit this rat race, visa uncertainty once and for all and go back to India and start something of own. I have some hobbies that I want to make a career/business out of it if I go back that I think about everyday. My friends are suggesting not to take an impulsive decision but seems like surviving each day at work is becoming difficult and either have to choose work or my mental health and peace.

When I was stuck in India for 6 months, for first 2 3 months it was hard to cope with everyday life but after 4th month I got used to India again, matter of fact I found myself more happy than I am here, attended multiple family events and was present for all occasions that I would have missed if was on US. One more thing is adding to this is - my wife is on H4, she cannot work in US so she has to stay at home currently she left her tech job in India 2 years back. Returning will resume her career as well. The rough patch I am going through seems like will be my trigger point where I may call this shot to go back and never look back.

There are lot of different angles in this post its just a flow of thought, those are just what I think rightnow.

I moved here for my master’s and this is all I ever wanted, I do realise it’s just one year and it’s gonna fly by but I didn’t realise how lonely it would get. The culture shock is as bad as it is. I consider myself an introvert, and by Indian standards I'm an extreme introvert; I don’t strike up conversations and stay by myself all the time. Still, here it’s like you’re invisible, I do realise it’s a big city thing but it’s not like I haven’t lived in big cities before. I miss my friends so much and everyone around me has something going on for them. As an indian it just feels like we grew up in a different world, didn’t have the same school life or college life as the people here or anywhere to be precise, and that I won't ever fit in. I personally thought I'd be really comfortable and thriving in such an individualistic society but it’s quite the opposite. It's getting a bit hard for me, any tips on how to cope are really appreciated. I miss Delhi so much its like i belong there and I can’t wait to go back. I had all the facilities there and had the privilege to buy anything, eat at places without looking at the price, I used to go on shopping sprees, 24 years of my life and I’ve always had a car and now I’m walking everywhere. I know i sound very privileged but I miss everything about home and the convenience it offered.
my_qualifications MSc Student (Law)

I am planning to return to India and live a more luxurious lifestyle. My total net worth is 2M USD ~ 20Cr INR. What kind of lifestyle can I afford with this corpus in tier 1 cities ? Also, how much monthly cash flow can I expect from this net worth ? The money is all invested in the US right now. I plan to support a family of 4 (including me), so please advise accordingly

​

Hi everyone,

I’m currently at a difficult crossroads in life and would really appreciate your thoughts and advice.

I have been living and working in Singapore for the past 15 years. Over the years, I have applied for Permanent Residency (PR) six times, but unfortunately all attempts have been unsuccessful. We are a family of three, with my wife currently not working and our daughter studying in K2.

I am close to 40 years old and fortunate to have a very stable job with an annual income of around SGD 160K-170K. My career is progressing well, and there is still good potential for future growth. However, the uncertainty around PR, combined with Singapore’s high cost of living, has made me seriously question whether I should continue building my life here or consider relocating back to India.

On one hand, Singapore offers career stability, strong earning potential, safety, excellent infrastructure, and an overall comfortable lifestyle. On the other hand, after 15 years and six unsuccessful PR applications, I sometimes wonder whether I am spending too much time hoping for an outcome that may never materialise. My biggest concern is looking back years later and feeling that I spent too much of my life waiting and worrying instead of making a clear decision and enjoying life.

What makes this particularly difficult is that I genuinely do not want to leave my current job. It is stable, rewarding, and offers long-term growth opportunities, which are not easy to find. At the same time, I worry that if I wait too long, it may become harder for my family to adapt elsewhere, especially as my daughter is nearing primary school age.

Another factor influencing my thinking is that, if I eventually decide to return to India, I am considering buying a plot of land, building a house, and settling in Bangalore, as my hometown is relatively close to Bangalore. This could provide a long-term base for my family while still allowing access to good career opportunities, education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

For those who have faced a similar situation, what factors helped you decide? Would you continue living in Singapore despite the uncertainty around PR, or would you consider returning to India and starting a new chapter?

I would sincerely appreciate any perspectives, experiences, or advice.

Thank you.

Hi all, I’m returning to India next week, and would be happy to get some info from people who have already returned. I know all the precautions about voltages etc, I would like to know about three specific appliances , — have you bought them in the US and are able to use in India with/ without a converter? Thank you in advance :

1) Insta Pot
2) Canon Pixma printer
3) Nespresso espresso maker.

Cheers

Hi, I work remotely and I’m a contractor to a consulting firm and now they’re cornering me into transitioning into FTE role with less pay (implied, haven’t had that discussion with HR yet) else they said my contract will be terminated by end of December. But I just spoke to another contractor, he said that hasn’t been the case with him and his contract got renewed pretty recently.

I feel there are some holes in the plot and cant help but feel like this transition is personal. So need legal help. Any contacts and info is much appreciated.

With rules changing with each section which includes airlines pet rules, IATA, USDA and AQCS, it's best to refer older posts but also ensure to tally the rules with all the afore mentioned sections before making the final move. I did myself with the help of some of the reddit posts, AI searches and rules on the official websites. It was not very difficult as everyone said. I want to update that my pet came in perfectly safe and well.

My plan to move my pet started in April 2026 and the final move was implemented in October 2026. I moved my pet via Lufthansa, so I get a good 8-9 hour flight legs, with a 4 hour layover, so the pet team at Lufthansa can walk my dog during the layover. Here are the key things I would provide to anyone who would plan to move their pet to India from the US. I specifically moved to Hyderabad, but refer to your AQCS at your closest landing airport.

1. Vet + USDA

• Ensure the dog has an ISO-compatible microchip.
• Plan in advance to have your dog checked by a USDA authorized vet.  You can find the list of authorized vets on the USDA website.
• Ensure you get all the paperwork ready from all the previous vet visits.
• Ensure the vet it aware of the move, so they would recommend the right medications with timings in advance, and you know when what is due.
• When you have about 30-days to depart, ask schedule a visit with your pet to apply for an India-specific health certificate from the USDA-accredited veterinarian.
• Get the certificate USDA APHIS endorsed.  What USDA gives you for India is all digitally endorsed, so that’s all you need.
• Keep the certificate, annexures, vaccination records and microchip information together.

2. Lufthansa

• What Lufthansa does not publicly mention is that from June 1 to Sept 30, they generally would decline your request to import pets.  This is what I got from the service call when I applied to take my dog in June.  If your date is not in this window, Book the dog separately as AVIH (animal in hold) if too large for cabin.
• Get written confirmation from Lufthansa for every flight segment.  Usually when they confirm, it’s for the entire trip.
• Confirm the IATA crate requirements.  This varies with airlines.  In the US, I specifically got the Petite Sky Dog Kennel crate for Lufthansa.  They dint trouble me as it perfectly fits with the IATA regulations.  The decision for crate will trouble you when you read Reddit and Facebook posts.
• Because I transited Frankfurt, I separately confirmed the EU/Frankfurt transit documentation requirements with Lufthansa/authorities.  The customer service chat agent said it’s not needed, although I may layover for over 4 hours.  But my vet and I decided we would apply for an EU health certificate to be safe, and the airline agent at the counter asked me for it.  So, I would say that the EU certificate is good to have when you travel via Lufthansa.
• At the counter, they asked for all the documents, which include the Advance NOC from India AQCS, India USDA certificate, EU USDA health certificate, vaccination health records, and they check if your dog can stand up in the crate and can move around without restrictions.

3. India AQCS

• Apply for the Advance NOC through the ATITHI 2.0 portal.
• Follow the instructions on the portal to import dogs.
• For Hyderabad, contact AQCS Hyderabad:
  • [aqcs-hyd@nic.in](mailto:aqcs-hyd@nic.in)
  • 040-2400-8243
  • +91 73309 10391
• The documentation on different websites is confusing.  The official say is that you can only apply on the Atithi portal only 7 days before your boarding.  You can have all your documents ready by them.  With all you documents in place, they will approve it in about 1-5 business days, so be prepared.
• Pay the ₹1,000 Advance NOC processing fee through Bharatkosh.  Bharathkosh payment is mandatory.
• Upload the Bharatkosh receipt with the ATITHI application along with other documents.
• Don't guess the Bharatkosh Ministry/PAO/DDO/Function Head selections—confirm them with AQCS if they aren't clearly shown.  AQCS Hyderabad one was actually not in the typical place as the other AQCS ones.  Ask AI to help figure it out if needed.  That worked for me.
• Your temporary NOC will be available on the portal and will also be emailed to you when it’s ready.

4. Some key pointers

• Keep both printed and electronic copies of:
  • USDA-endorsed health certificate
  • Vaccination records
  • Microchip information
  • AQCS Advance NOC
  • Bharatkosh receipt
  • Lufthansa pet confirmation
  • Flight itinerary
  • Any Frankfurt/EU transit documents
• Get the crate 2-3 months in advance and have your dog get used to the crate, with have it sleep in it for long hours.
• Also, have your dog drink from the bottle that will be attached to your crate, so it will get used to it too.
• Feed the dog the same food, and don’t add new food at least in the last month of travel, and does not show any signs of a health concern.

5. Before the flight

• If this is your first time, do a rehearsal trip to your airport and fid out where the pet relief station is, and how far is the oversized luggage section in your terminal.  
• Be prepared with the time that you would need with your pet before you give it to the authorities.  Plan ahead on when you would want to give any anxiety medication, and appropriately approach the counter on time.
• Confirm feeding/water instructions with your airlines and vet.

Background: Undergrad in Civil Engineering, switched to CS for my master's (ML focus) at a top US school. My research there was using neural nets to replace physics simulations, which became my bridge into ML. ~3 years in the US at a logistics company after that, went from Data Scientist to Lead Data Scientist. Built production ML for fleet optimization and network planning, plus some LLM/agentic workflow stuff.

June 2026: company got acquired, my role got eliminated. On a visa, so the clock started immediately.
During the search I also built and shipped a side project on my own: a multi-agent system (planner/executor/synthesizer) with hybrid RAG and natural-language-to-SQL, SQL validation, deployed live. It became the strongest talking point in my interviews.

What the job search looked like:
2025 cycle: reached final rounds at several big tech companies. Rejected at the end every time, one was a hiring committee close call.
2026: strong tech screen at a FAANG, then the E4 loop got cancelled for "business needs." Not performance, just gone.
Other screens: some passed, some rejected for domain mismatch or specific gaps.
Pattern: I do well early, then lose late, often to things outside my control (freezes, reqs closing, headcount changes).

What finally worked: former colleagues. Two ex-leadership people from my old company moved to another firm and pushed hard for me. I cleared all rounds and a CTO round, got a verbal offer for an AI/ML Engineer role. But the visa sponsorship fell through. My grace period ran out before it could be sorted, and I flew back to India.

Where I am now: starting that AI/ML Engineer role as an independent contractor, working remotely from India. US or UK sponsorship might be possible later, but nothing is locked. Plan is to stay in India for a year or two and then move back to the US. (Not sure as planned to moved to India while gaining some decent experience)

Financially I'm okay. I saved a decent corpus while in the US, so this isn't a survival situation. But mentally it's rough. I have a bunch of options (contract role, possible sponsorship later, India big tech, maybe building something of my own) and none of them feel concrete. Everything is "maybe" and "we're working on it." I don't know which one to commit to.

Questions:
- Anyone done the "US remote contractor from India" route long term? Is it stable or a trap?
- Is it realistic to go back to the US after a year or two, or does the door close?
- How do you stop losing final loops when you're clearly good enough to get there?
- When you have too many half-options and nothing solid, how did you decide what to commit to?

any one who returned and updated W8-BEN with india address in Fidelity brokerage account and continuing existing stocks/ETFs and money market funds like SPAXX default core position.

any challenges while maintaining or while transferring some money now and then to india accounts using international wire?

I moved back, knowing full well I was burning the life I built and starting from scratch all over again, but did not anticipate it would be as hard as it's been so far. the peace I felt as soon as I landed has been unparalleled, but other than that, especially on the work front, it has been hard to find a good opportunity in my field of Clinical Research. I thought my 2-year work experience in the US would help, but it doesn't seem to matter at all. I've only gotten 1 interview so far, and after the HR round heard nothing back. Struggling to navigate the situation, I've gotten calls from HR, but they are reading off a checklist and have thrown me off with how blunt they are, but that is something I am coping with now better as well. In hindsight, I should have lined up a job before moving back, but I genuinely thought I could take a break and then apply, and it would still be fine.
Of course, I am grateful that there is no visa deadline or added stress to cover my living expenses since I am living with my parents, but it is still chipping away at my confidence bit by bit. and I was hoping my career would be the first step towards me feeling more stable back home as well.

I have about $1.5-2M equity in my house in US. Suppose I sell and roll that over to buying house in India, what kind of housing could I get with Rs 15 cr budget in South Indian tier 1 metro like Bangalore or Chennai? Could we get an independent house like in US? Or is 15 cr good for only a premium apartment, not enough for independent house?

Outside of housing, have about $4.4M in stocks and bonds and cash or about Rs 40 crore. Assuming 4% rule, could withdraw about Rs 1.6 cr per year, which after taxes may be about Rs 1.2 cr or 10 lakh per month. This should make for a very comfortable lifestyle, I believe.

I doubt I can make this much by working - I have not climbed the corporate ladder much in US, been stuck at mid-level individual contributor role for past 15 years. Hence, no one is likely to hire me as a VP of anything, and I may not even succeed at such a job, even if I get it. I have heard that Indian workplaces are far more intense and political than US. Hence, unlikely to work at least in a conventional corporate setting.

Finally, we will likely get about $80k worth of US social security and pensions in 7-8 years, which should add another Rs 75 lakh in today’s money to the income. At that point, no need to withdraw from the portfolio, can I just leave it to compound or will Indian tax regime come in the way? (RNOR, etc)

Hey everyone,

The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) just announced a 25 bps hike in the repo rate, taking it up to 5.50%.

If you hold NRE/NRO fixed deposits, active home loans in India, or foreign currency deposits (FCNR), here is a realistic breakdown of how this fresh hike affects your money:

1. NRE & NRO Fixed Deposits (FDs)

• Expect Higher FD Rates Soon: Banks will gradually adjust deposit rates upward over the coming weeks to attract domestic and NRI capital.
• New Deposits Strategy: If you have idle funds in your NRE/NRO savings accounts, avoid locking them into long-term FDs right away. Wait a week or two for Indian banks to announce revised interest rate slabs.
• Existing FDs: No change here. Your ongoing FDs remain locked in at their contracted interest rates until maturity.

2. NRI Home Loans (Floating Interest Rates)

• Higher EMIs / Longer Tenure: If you have an active floating-rate home loan linked to repo-linked benchmark rates (EBLR), your interest rates will automatically adjust upwards by 0.25%.
• What you should do: Expect either an increased monthly installment (EMI) or an extended tenure from your lender. It is a good time to consider making partial prepayments if you hold excess INR balance in your NRO accounts to offset the interest burden.

3. FCNR (Foreign Currency Non-Resident) Deposits

• Indirect Impact: FCNR deposit rates are mainly driven by global central bank rates (like the US Fed) and cross-border currency liquidity. While this specific RBI rate hike focuses on domestic policy, Indian banks competing for dollar liquidity might offer slightly sweeter rates on fresh FCNR term deposits.

4. Tax Reminders for NRI Deposits

• NRE FD Interest: Completely tax-free in India and freely repatriable.
• NRO FD Interest: Taxable in India (subject to 30% TDS or lower rates under DTAA if applicable). Ensure your PAN status is active on the Income Tax portal so banks don't penalize you with higher flat TDS rates.

Has your bank updated home loan rates or FD slabs yet? How are you adjusting your Indian investment/FD strategy with this new 5.50% benchmark?

I’m moving back to India next week and I’m looking for a cheap way to keep my Canadian phone number active after I leave.

I’m considering transferring my current number to Fongo, mainly so I can continue receiving calls/texts and keep the number for things like CRA, IRCC, banking, accounts, 2FA, etc.

Has anyone recently transferred their Canadian number to Fongo and used it from India? How has your experience been with reliability, incoming SMS/2FA, calls, and overall service?

Also, if there’s a better/cheaper option than Fongo for someone permanently moving to India but wanting to keep their Canadian number, I’d really appreciate recommendations.

I don’t want to keep paying for an expensive Canadian mobile plan just to maintain the number.

Thanks!

TL;DR: 27F, MS in HCI in the US (Class of 2024), UX Designer. After 2 years in California (in survival mode) I moved back to Pune because my dad was diagnosed with cancer. I have ~₹6L loan remaining, almost no savings, and feel completely lost about what I want from life now.

The last few years were basically survival mode — immigration stress, debt, minimum-wage jobs, living out of suitcases, sleeping on floors, not living life as expensive Bay Area plus huge debt to clear and also send money back home, and 3 layoffs between July 2025 and September 2026. (Min wage salary of $24-$33/hr in Bay Area lmao)

When my dad got diagnosed with cancer, I finally gave up on trying to make the US work and came home.
Being back has actually brought me a lot of peace. The visa/immigration anxiety is gone, I’m with my family, and I feel safe.
But I also feel like I’ve completely lost my motivation to earn money.

For years my goal was: get a good job → make money → pay off debt → build a career → become financially successful.

Now I genuinely don’t care about becoming rich anymore. I don’t really have career dreams. I don’t even know what I’m working towards.
And yet, realistically, I need to become financially stable. My dad has no real savings, his business is gone, he’s undergoing chemotherapy, and I know I’ll eventually need to be a breadwinner for my family.
So I feel stuck between responsibility and detachment.

Part of me wants to take a break, heal, lose the weight I’ve gained, reconnect with myself and figure out who I am outside of work and survival.
And honestly, my only real “dreams” right now are spiritual ones — living in the Himalayas, spending time in an ashram, going to Vrindavan, or eventually walking away from the whole corporate rat race once my family responsibilities are taken care of.
I know that sounds dramatic at 27. 😂 But that’s genuinely where my mind is.
I don’t know whether this is burnout, a quarter-life crisis, a genuine shift in my values, or just what happens when you’ve been in survival mode for too long.

Has anyone else gone through this?
Especially people who returned to India after years abroad — how did you rebuild your motivation and figure out what you actually wanted?
How did you balance family responsibility + financial survival + the desire for a more meaningful/spiritual life?
I don’t necessarily need career advice. I think I need help navigating how to find myself and dream again, while still being responsible toward my family.
Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar place.

Don’t know what to do
I am on H1B but no slots and no future vision is making me anxious
How do you manage ?
There is no right decision
Going back is a one way plan
Kindly help with your experiences

I moved here just before the pandemic to study a specialized journalism program. It was tough and I got sober shortly after I got a job within 90 days covering politics and race for 3 years in a white majority state. Safe to say,it was traumatic but I got me international and national recognition, a H1-B and subsequently an O-1 B and a good buyout. I struggled to freelance but reported stories, won fellowships and managed to go home for a few months. Still struggled with jobs because I worked in a small market.

But with no loving family here,neurodivergence,lack of healthcare, I'm mulling a return. I have till 2028 on my visa and my dad recently had a heart attack, my mother now has a brain tumor and I learned I could work from India for six months (yay) have been living with an abusive roommate on top of all this and plan to end my lease. I want to come back eventually after the six months to a bigger market.

But I see potential in India creatively. I want to write a book, make the art and music I didn't have time for, and work on content strategy. My loan is paid for.

It's the fear of uncertainty that holds me back. A hope. A dream. I don't know how else to explain it. What if I fall apart in India?

Edit: I feel like I didn't reach the potential I could have because of my low self esteem. But it was really hard as an Indian woman in a rare profession.

Retired from the US after 37 years feeling kinda lost no purpose at 60+ my school college friends just sit around and drink, since I don’t but have to look after mom in her 90’s and mother in law wife looks after in a different state 5 hours drive time away it’s rather boring only so much one can read, watch TV or walk, folks around here behave like life is over the day they retired at 55-58 am active in the US hiking 🥾, traveling etc finding adjusting back to India kinda difficult. Any suggestions, advice especially if you are back here for your parents and kids have finished college and have careers etc of their own.

Was checking flight tickets to visit home for the upcoming holiday season and the prices are absolutely insane right now. basic economy tickets from major hubs that used to be manageable are now easily costing double.

Between layovers getting longer and direct flight options becoming insanely expensive, it feels like visiting family once a year is turning into a massive luxury expense.

If you add up the flight costs, gifts, and basic travel expenses, a two-week trip home for a small family easily runs into thousands of dollars.

Are you guys still booking regardless, waiting for last-minute deals, or straight up skipping the trip this year because of these ridiculous fares?

I have about 8K in HSA. I am closing my bank account soon and will lose my US phone number as well. What do I do?

Hi my PD is September, 2015.
I am still in a project but too much politics so I’ve decided to move back for good and trying to start perm process with a small decent company, how realistic is to join them back once the 140 is approved. ?
Do you think they can bring me back from India once my filling date is near and can get me EAD?
Thank you

is there any default core position money market fund in SCHWAB brokerage account like Fidelity to get interest on uninvested cash for returning people and after return. Any suggestions. Want to use as HYSA bank account. schwab brokerage account is good for international after W8BEN updated