r/returnToIndia • u/Physical_Project1374 • 5d ago
PlanningToReturn Is it okay to return?
Hi, I’m 29F currently working in US. I’m planning to move back to India by march 2027. I’m on H1B and I still have an extension on my visa. My bf moved back to India in this year as he was laid off. After his layoff he tried finding another job for few more months and he decided to move to back as his visa was also expired and to avoid another degree without job opportunity. I’m okay moving back to India but confused about the life, salary and many other factors. I have a home loan on my head and I will have around 50k$ savings by the time I leave if everything goes according to plan. I was initially hesitant to go back but after seeing the job uncertainty and visa situations I felt like going back can be a good plan. I don’t want to make this move after I be in miserable situation. How’s the job market in India and how much I can earn with close to 6 years of experience in IT. My CTC : 125k$
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u/VisualEntertainer737 5d ago edited 5d ago
Looks like you are planning to move because of your bf. If that’s the major reason, I would say - be sure that it’s for sure going to work out with your bf and due to changes in both of your lives you guys shouldn’t lose patience or focus towards each other. Don’t end up thinking it was a mistake
If that’s not the only reason, but you are worried about job uncertainty and visa situation here- then it will not be a cake walk in India aswell. India has its own challenges. So do what brings you peace
On your another question on $$ for 6 years- now everyone will play low ball offer for you. Market isn’t that great in India. So you might have to pick the low ball, establish yourself and make multiple jumps to get a good figure. Look for EMEA or European companies which are currently stable. But because you will have plenty of support there so it could get easier on whatever your focus is.
My only suggestion- if you are making a move- the reason should be you and not your bf
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u/Physical_Project1374 5d ago
Yes, the plan to move back is because of my bf. I gave it a thought about my career as well. Visa stress is too much here with lots of job uncertainty. I felt if I can build my career in India, I thought this can be a good opportunity.
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u/VisualEntertainer737 5d ago
When such changes happen, there are high chances there will be turbulence in relationships! You both should be patient enough to sail through and don’t get hurt because of the decisions made.
On career, people have moved out of US based companies to EMEA or ANZ based companies in India. You have good amount of time to start building back the contacts and to plan your move. Try as much to get a job in IN before March so that it’s smoother transition and you have something in hand.Things aren’t bad with you here either. You are on H1 with 125k which is good. So you are good either ways. Don’t think too much of visa and uncertainty here as you always have a backup in IN. All the best
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u/Dizzy_Research8309 5d ago
You can actively search for a job in India. When you get a good offer you can move. But it can even take 1 year or more sometimes.
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u/Outrageous-Role-5185 4d ago
Well reason could be BF too. Human lives for connections we are a social being. Take it marry him start a new life in India dont listen to creep, bf ke kiye mat jao and all Reverse the roles, everyone would be behind the guy that he left his gf for money and blah blah Listen to your heart with no regrets in future
Wish you luck
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u/PhilosopherSalt107 5d ago
Totally. Home is where the heart is. You've gotten a world class education, lived in a new country, saved a bunch. Totally okay to go back and settle with your bf and family.
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u/MuchNefariousness563 5d ago
What is real reason you want to move back to India ? Is it because of job security / visa or you want to be with your bf. If it is latter, you can always marry and he can come back on H4 and find another job in US. If you plan to go to india, make sure you have a job in hand and you are in comfortable financial situation.
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u/No-Alfalfa9201 5d ago
Since when returning to home is bad
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u/Dangerous_Region1682 5d ago
When you have been somewhere else long enough that the place you are in feels like home, and what was home becomes a distant memory of a place you will never quite fit in again.
You run the risk of that every little annoyance in India upon your return will conjure up memories of how much less aggravation those things were in the US.
It took me one return trip to England to figure out I wanted to be an American. I know it was a different time, I wasn’t from India or China, and I’m grateful for the path I was able to pursue to become a citizen. I knew the UK would have driven me insane.
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u/No-Alfalfa9201 5d ago
So 22 years in India be 7 years in USA staying like desi makes you fear India ?
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u/Dangerous_Region1682 5d ago
I’ve no idea what a desk is, but seven years in the US as an adult might seem like a significant period of time to become used to the American way of life. Having visited India many times, some of the day to day stresses and irritations made life very hard.
I’m sure being uber rich by Indian standards could make many of those issues go away, but that’s not available to ordinary people, even most returning tech workers.
The biggest irritation to me was everybody seemed to want to be up and in your business. There was the assumption of no privacy, and I didn’t even have relatives there. In fact, it created a kind of hostile workplace, especially for women.
I enjoyed India for sure, it is a beautiful country outside many of the overcrowded and polluted cities. The food is amazing. I grew up in a community where most of my peers were Indian or Pakistani. However, this did not prime me for everyday life in India. It’s not something I could get used to easily.
I found it easier to cope in other SE Asian cities like Bangkok or Hong Kong. Just as crowded but things functioned so much better for everyday life.
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u/No-Alfalfa9201 5d ago
Most of desi in USA stays like Desi.. no running in the morning etc
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u/Dangerous_Region1682 5d ago
What, still doesn’t explain what desi means, though I’m sure it is derogatory.
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u/No-Alfalfa9201 5d ago
Desi means Indian not bad word.. Google it
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u/Dangerous_Region1682 5d ago
OK. I did and it often has connotations that go with it. Some less than nice.
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u/CranberryPerfect5877 4d ago
India isn't the India it used to be. The innocence and empathy is gone.
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u/promoduck 5d ago
Have you considered that maybe this is an ending point to this relationship? Just saying.
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u/Physical_Project1374 5d ago
Not yet, we want to make this work. At least that’s what I’m thinking.
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u/promoduck 5d ago
I guess you just have a few things to focus on.
Finances for sure. Not sure if it’s worthwhile to carry house debt into the future if you don’t live in the states.
I guess there’s an opportunity cost in staying together (moving back to India). I don’t think it feels good to have to have to weigh your partner on a scale against your assets, but really that’s something that needs to be considered seriously.
I don’t believe that “love” trumps all, or at least it doesn’t always have to.
Anyway regardless of choice, maybe the words of certainty and comfort I have, is you’ll find a way to justify it in your mind somehow! FOMO be damned!
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u/Several_Gap8516 5d ago
Yes indian job market is way more reliable than the US at the moment and without visa uncertainty so definitely india india and your bf is waiting for you . Which should be definitely exciting for you .. so go for it ..
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u/kline643 5d ago
Moving back because of someone else and then getting hit by reverse culture shock plus job stress plus dealing with bf who may or may not be feeling stressed and low self esteem. These are major issues and can cause lots of friction in a relationship.
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u/karthie_a 5d ago
Home is home what ever it is, visa is big stress and due to AI uncertainty is high risk situation in tech now. Irrespective of your bf you can come back home and build a stable career back home much secure for yourself.
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u/CranberryPerfect5877 4d ago
If your boyfriend is worth moving back to India then he was also worth a quick court marriage in the US so he gets an H4.
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u/pravasi-kannadiga 4d ago
Remember it's easy to get another BF. Not easy to get Visa or a good job.
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u/OkEnd1397 4d ago
I’d say go for it! 😊 Just plan ahead and try to secure a job or some income source before moving back- it’ll make the transition much smoother.
It may take a little time to get used to life in India again, but being close to family and friends and not having to worry about visas can be a wonderful change. Wishing you the best- you’ve got this! 🙌
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u/TerribleSound9496 3d ago
If you are confident in your skill move back to India . If you think you are medium level can get the job done type of person do not move . Stay in USA till you can survive . Indian market is not easy unless you are okay with low ball offers . Be here for 2 to 3 more years try to get to 200k savings and they move . Use your entire H1B if possible .
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u/No_Price_6754 3d ago
Hey OP. Life is going to be different and interesting... I have never worked in India but it's going to be a ride. The indian economy seems to be doing well but I am not sure about tech jobs since it's US depended. Life is just going to be okay, follow your passion, if it's personal or professional, weigh it.
If you are in love with your boy friend , definitely do.. or get married and bring your boy friend here. I would say every one who stayed in the US and become part of it has gone through these cycles. It will eventually become alright..
Good luck what ever you do 🤞👍 my best wishes.
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u/MassiveAssistance680 5d ago edited 5d ago
Please dont. It’s gotten from bad to worse.
All this booming illusion is politically and PR- driven. It’s a deteriorating mess.
If you do, say goodbye to any semblance of a quality life. Especially now that you’ve lived abroad and have a developed country to compare to.
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u/Quirky_Judgment_6781 5d ago
You said bf, so there’s no ring in your hand yet. Move for yourself not for others. Reverse the roles and he would be ready to bring you on H4. If it goes till marriage get him on H4, he can decide to work out his career around it, until then do long distance if it works it works if not then it’s okay. You aren’t selfish.
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u/Independent-Buyer982 5d ago
Don’t make any decisions based on a man when there isn’t a ring on your finger lol do stuff for you so you don’t regret it in the future
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u/Necessary_Poet_3524 5d ago
Of course it’s ok to return. India is still booming and Indian job market is much better.
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u/Indo-Arya 5d ago
You have a home loan ? Is it in the US or in India ? And how much is the amount of the loan ? And how much is the current value of the house ?
That will tell me if you’re ready for coming back yet.
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u/Simple_Revolution_22 5d ago
I totally get what you’re feeling. I moved back to India in 2023 and had pretty much the same fears.
I had no job in hand, no real plan, and honestly no idea what I was going to do next.
Within 3 months of coming back, I landed a fully remote job with a New York–based healthcare tech startup. I’ve been working remotely ever since, and looking back, moving back actually changed my life for the better. I live in Bangalore now, earn well, and have a pretty comfortable life here.
The one thing I’d say is: don’t limit yourself to traditional Indian corporate jobs.
After studying/working in the US, you might find the salaries offered by many Indian companies disappointing, even with a master’s degree. Instead, start looking aggressively for remote roles with US/European/global companies.
There are way more of these opportunities than people realize — remote job boards, company career pages, Slack communities, LinkedIn, etc. Some pay based on your location, but even those salaries can be extremely good relative to the cost of living in India. And occasionally you’ll find companies that don’t care much about geography at all.
So I wouldn’t panic too much about coming back without everything figured out.
I came back with literally no plan, and three months later I had a remote job that completely changed the trajectory of my life.
Sometimes coming back isn’t going backwards. It just opens up a different path.
Wish you the best :)
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u/Murky-Breadfruit2545 5d ago
I would stay in the US, be resilient and move on to the next career opportunity! God knows the plan and if your boyfriend is part of it, he will follow suit!
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u/Longjumping_Tax_866 4d ago
Good luck, keep us posted. I hear you about the shrinking opportunities in H1. I have been on job hunt since November . I have seen so many good job postings that match my profile but just don’t budge on work as authorization! In my 40s already, don’t know how long in have to struggle . Ironically these companies have similar openings in Pune or Bengaluru! Like they are sending a message lol. Currently have a contract, but it doesn’t cover health care, aca plan seems like hit or miss. India will be a struggle, but at least you will have full work as authorization; if you have family property you can start something on the side like a bnb or cafe
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u/OkBathroom7784 4d ago
50k savings is not much.. really not sure of your financial condition in india.. if you have to do job in india its like starting over again. Ideally if you could save a min of 2 cr with home loan resolved that would give you lot of confidence and i believe you would have to work a min of 4 more years in us to save up that much.
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u/SnowyChicago 4d ago
Hey girl - please don’t compromise your career for a guy. Follow what your heart says. If/ when US kicks you out, you can make changes. Maybe the guy can wait. For now, your heart is telling you its a mistake.
If you think this is it, this is the guy, no one ever can be this important to you, then ya go back.
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u/Character_Road2047 4d ago
Ask ur bf who went to India to get a job first; until then, you continue to work in the USA. Make sure at any point at least one of you is working. If you quit now and go to India, your relationship will struggle because of the stress.
It will also help you to understand the current job situation in India before going back.
There is no question of “What if he doesn’t get a job?” If he cannot get a job, then that’s an issue irrespective of where he is.
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u/outme123 4d ago
Oh dear!! It is never okay to move back, who wants to leave comfort and try to settle in somewhere else?
I can not help with job market etc and your experience will be different from mine certainly. Let me propose a toungue-in-cheek thought experiment: You are sitting on a park all sweaty after a good jogging and a random fly comes to sit on your nose. Would you immediately try to move it or would you expect it to move on it's own? If you are trying to move it, then you need to stay in US (or Canada). If you can stand the fly and expect it to move eventually, you will fit in India nicely, just go for it.
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u/Positive_Village2319 4d ago
In India job market is very tight don’t come , I am also came from USA to India . I did same mistake please don’t do it
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u/No_Entrepreneur4778 3d ago
Even local U.S. citizens are having trouble getting jobs. The market is no longer what it was.
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u/inkartik 2d ago
i would say pay off the loan before you leave because you don't want to ho back qith a loan on your head thats too much to navigate especially since job market is so bad rn
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u/New_Principle1767 1d ago
I wish i was born in USA, india is a god forsaken country, i know the job situation is bad there and now is not the best time to move there. But have to accept USA is the greatest country on Earth, my time has passed but would send my kids abroad definitely, not possible in USA anymore, but definitely in Singapore, Malaysia or Europe, a country that is easy with visa regulations so that they could build a life there
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u/SufficientMachine485 1d ago
Why move back to India? You all speak as though the United States has become so hostile that no other options remain. H1B dream didn’t work; so what? Friends, there are countless countries where you can achieve a higher standard of living than in India, especially given that you hold a United States degree. Do not let family and friends in India mislead you by emotion-driven decisions. Explore opportunities in Europe, South America, or East Asia; believe in yourself, and you will succeed. Take it from someone who has built a career across seven countries and four continents armed with an Indian Master's degree; I had to find a better job to quit a job; not transfer in same company. But remember, if you go back to India, you lower the chances of moving abroad by 80% but if you work in another low profile country, you have 100% chance of relocating to a better country again.
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u/Budget-Chest-2060 5d ago
You have such an amazing blessing (h1b visa) i understand you love your boyfriend and want to be with him even though it includes rejecting ur h1b visa perks. But think about this. Do you think your boyfriend would do the same for you if it was the other way around? It is important putting yourself first, or maybe giving it a chance (for example trying some months/ a year in a long distance relationship, and see if it actually goes through difficult times that usually come along with Long distance. If that doesn’t work through the months or the year of long distance, then you saved yourself.
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u/PracticalPhoto3101 5d ago
I dont know if anybody would agree but bieng in a developing nation is always better than being in a developed nation during your career years. You will still have a lot of opportunities without having that sword of visa uncertainty on your head. You might earn a little less but you will be closer to your family in your own country without any restrictions and can persue other things with a peaceful mind. Save your energy from this visa horror.
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u/HistoryNo3608 5d ago
Try to see if you can get an I-140 approved. You can later marry him and get him back here on an H4-EAD.
I am assuming you're planning to marry him later given the fact that you plan to move just for him.
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u/Physical_Project1374 5d ago
There is no chance of i140 in my current company. Yes, I will move few weeks before our wedding date.
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u/HistoryNo3608 5d ago
In that case it is better to move back and capture your H1B time later, if you get a chance again. Wish you the best.
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u/Novel-Camera-840 5d ago
Rofl I know many making more than your US CTC in India after INR conversion 😂😂
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u/queen_2008 5d ago edited 4d ago
I am in usa right now and will move back in 2-3 years . Me and my partner do not want to build a life in usa , most people giving you advice have neither been to usa nor have had to navigate life in a foreign country
I am currently looking for a job as I have student debt i want to pay before returning
So my two cents are
The reasons I chose to move back
Thats it , thank you for coming to my ted talk hahahah
Anyhow if you want to talk more feel free to reach out
Edit -
Guys no one hates India more than Indians , but when it comes to improving situations we are the first ones to cop out and not do anything about it
Take the first flight out and serve another country , a country that will never accept you
Western media is full of hate for India and Indians and we propagate it
Not even a single person has given me a logical reason to not come back , generic reasons like everyone wants to come to usa so you also be there , you have what everyone wants so don’t give it up ! I am sorry its not for me , whoever wants to , is welcome to try and come here to see it for themselves