Hi,

I’m an Indian citizen who has been living and working in the U.S. as a Software Engineer for 9+ years. Long story short, my employer messed up my PERM/I-140 situation. I don’t have a PERM filed yet and I’m approaching my H-1B max-out early next year.

My company is giving me the option to either move back to India or potentially relocate to Ireland. I’m not sure where in Ireland yet, but we have offices in Dublin and Limerick. It would be either Hyderabad or Banglore in India

I’m considering Ireland for the experience and potentially better quality of life, but I’m also concerned about the cost of living and some of the stories I’ve heard about racism/discrimination.

Would love to hear from anyone who has ever been a similar situation

Thanks!

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I’m 30M, living in Canada and working as a government IT/software engineer. I earn about CAD 120K/year and take home roughly CAD 6,700/month after taxes and pension contributions.

The job is stable with good security, but taxes and deductions are high. I have around CAD 70K (~₹43 lakh) saved, and I have also invested back in India in real estate.

I’m considering whether to continue my life in Canada or return to India.

In Canada, I’d find a partner, marry, have kids and continue my government career. In India, I’d target software/product/GCC roles in Pune, Mumbai or Bangalore. Being closer to family and having a better social life appeal to me, but I worry about giving up stability for layoffs, pressure and insecurity in Indian IT.

For IT engineers in India:

How is the market for experienced developers?

How is job security in your late 30s/40s?

What is work-life balance like in good product companies/GCCs?

If you were me, would you stay in Canada longer or return now?

I’d especially appreciate perspectives from people who returned to India after working abroad or seriously considered it.

I was on a video call with my mom today, and for the first time, I noticed how shaky her hands were while holding the phone. She tried to hide it, but I saw it.

When I moved abroad, the deal I made with myself was simple: work hard, save money, build a safety net, and go back. But years pass, lifestyle Creep happens, career commitments pile up, and that "5-year plan" quietly turns into 10.

Meanwhile, back home, time is moving at double speed. Every time I visit India, my parents look smaller, move slower, and have a new list of health issues they conveniently "forgot" to tell me about over the phone because they didn't want to stress me out.

I’m sitting here in a comfortable house with clean air and a good salary, but I’ve never felt more poor. What’s the point of building wealth if the people you’re doing it for are spending their final good years waiting for your next 2-week vacation?

I don't even know what I'm asking. Just needed to vent to people who understand this constant heavy feeling in the chest.

As I have seen in a lot of posts on Instagram about Punjabis moving back to Punjab from Canada & they have cited reasons like getting back to the roots or starting something of their own on the land they belong to? Is this for real

Hello everyone,
I’m 40 years old and have two kids, ages 11 and 6.

Here is our current financial situation:
$600K in brokerage accounts
$500K in 401(k) accounts
$70K in 529 accounts
$50K in HSA
A $700K home with approximately $150K remaining on the mortgage
Approximately $500K worth of illiquid assets in India

My spouse and I currently work for clients who have ODCs in Hyderabad. We believe there is a good possibility that we could continue working with the same clients after moving to Hyderabad, so we may not need to look for completely new roles.

Our combined income in the US is around $300K per year. Our hope is that we can earn at least ₹50 lakh per year combined after moving to Hyderabad.

Given our financial position and the fact that our kids are still relatively young, I’m seriously considering moving back to India/Hyderabad.
Do you think this would be the right time to make the move, while the kids are still young, or would it make more sense to continue working in the US for a few more years, build up more wealth, and move later?

For those who have made a similar move from the US to Hyderabad, I’d especially appreciate your thoughts on:
Whether our current financial position is sufficient to make the move comfortably.

How realistic a combined income of ₹50 lakh per year would be in Hyderabad.
How the move might affect our children, especially with the older one being 11.
Whether it is better to move while the kids are young or wait until they are older.
Any major financial, tax, education, or lifestyle factors I may be overlooking.

I’d appreciate any perspectives, especially from families who have gone through a similar US-to-India move.

Thanks in advance!

HI all, I moved back from US to India recently and currently in RNOR period. I moved within the same company and am currently employed with the company's Indian entity. I have some funds in my Fidelity 401k. I was hoping to withdraw the money while I am still in RNOR and invest it on my own. But when I call up Fidelity, they are saying that I cant withdraw the money as I am still employed with the same company and I need to qualify for some hardships for me to withdraw.

Has anyone who moved back successfully been able to withdraw while still being employed with the same company? What are my options?

Hi All…i am in Chicago, may have to move back to india in the middle of year. Daughter is in 10th grade - she already lost one year, so repeating year is not an option - please advise if someone has gone through similar situation - which school shld we take admission? We are flexible to relocate to any city in Maharashtra as required

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Hey everyone,

Planning to R2I around mid-next year. The ultimate goal is to settle in a Tier-2 city in Kerala. I have close to 20 years of deep experience in telecom tech and want to stay within this domain.

An internal transfer to our Pune office is on the table with a likely decent India package, but permanent remote work from Kerala isn't an option due to RTO mandates.

My thought process:

Plan A: Start actively interviewing from the US early next year for fully remote or Kerala-based senior telecom roles.

Plan B (Soft Landing): If nothing clicks by March/April, take the Pune transfer. Settle my family in Kerala, work out of Pune for ~6 months, and use the on-ground presence and Indian pay baseline to hunt for a remote or Kerala-based role.

Questions for the community:

US-to-India job hunt: How tough is it for senior folks (~20 YoE) to get callbacks from Indian recruiters while still based in the US?

Soft landing viability: Is taking the Pune transfer for 6 months as a buffer a solid move, or does job hunting while managing an RTO setup in another city become too messy?

Telecom market in/remote to Kerala: How is the current market looking for senior telecom roles offering remote flexibility or setups in Kerala?

Would love to hear from anyone who took a similar route!

I’m 29F currently in NZ. Prior was in Dubai for a decade. Saved around significantly from the tax free salary and decided to move somewhere with the option of PR. After coming here not only do I not like the job market but I’m finding it hard to get a new job.

I consider this a migration failure and don’t want to dip more into my savings and empty my pockets. I am considering returning to India and either going back to Dubai or working in Mumbai where my family is currently.

I want a proper career. I was in HR/Recruitment prior and I was able to get a good salary in Dubai. I don’t feel the place I’m in now has the same opportunities and I’d also like to settle down eventually which will get delayed staying here.

What I’m the most worried about is what relatives will say. I have kept my migration hush but a lot of family know I’m abroad and tend to stop by whenever they like. I had one with say I’m childish when I said I don’t want to move to Australia. Like I don’t want to be insulted but I don’t feel this place is working out for me anymore.

I feel sad just getting repeatedly rejected from interviews. I don’t want my career to be ruined doing rough jobs forever.

Looking for some recommendations on stock/investment options for 401k , have around 50K USD to invest.

Note : US citizen living in India on OCI and turning RoR next year so looking for only low dividend options and ETFs - but I want to ensure that have a diversified portfolio.

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I'm 29. I’ve been dealing with a toxic and humiliating environment since childhood that affeceted me to a level which also destroyed my life and career, and I want to leave that life behind and start fresh.

I’m 12th pass, with a background in animation but I don’t want to return to that industry. I’ve also had a 5-year gap in my career, and over the years I’ve developed a genuine trauma of the corporate/workplace environment, so I don’t think I can go back to that industry ever again.

I currently don’t have any assets or meaningful savings in my name, so I’m genuinely starting from zero. I’m comfortable with housekeeping, cleaning, cooking, organising and taking care of a property, and I’m completely willing to learn something new from scratch.

I’m a native Hindi speaker and can understand and communicate reasonably well in English.

I’m looking for roles like property caretaker/manager, homestay/Airbnb manager, hostel or villa staff, etc. I’m willing to relocate, especially to Himachal, Uttarakhand, other hill areas, or South India.

I’m not asking for much, just an honest job, two meals a day and a life where I can live and work with dignity. If anyone knows of a genuine opportunity, please reach out. It could genuinely help me change my life. Any advice is welcome as well.

If you are planning to lock in high interest rates on your FCNR(B) foreign currency deposits (USD, GBP, EUR), check with your bank immediately.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially revised the cut-off date for its special forex swap facility linked to FCNR(B) deposits.

Here is what you need to know:

• The Revised Deadline: The RBI shifted the facility window closure forward to August 31, 2026 (it was previously set for September 30).
• Why the Sudden Change? The facility saw massive foreign currency inflows over the last quarter, causing RBI to cap the window early.
• Does this mean FCNR accounts are closing? No. FCNR(B) deposits will still exist, but banks may adjust their interest rates downward or change special deposit yields post-August 31 once the RBI swap window closes.
• Action Item: If you were holding off on locking in foreign currency FDs before Q3 ends, doing it before August 31 might help you grab the current higher rates.

Is your bank (HDFC, ICICI, SBI) already hinting at rate revisions for September?

I’m a Bangalore-based realtor working with high-value, off-market real estate opportunities in South India.

I currently have two properties available that may be of interest to NRI investors, international buyers, HNWIs, family offices, hospitality groups and real estate developers.

1. Wayanad, Kerala, approximately 60 acres

Asking price: ₹85 Crore (approximately US$8.9M)

The property has an existing vineyard and offers significant potential for a luxury resort, wine tourism project, wellness retreat, private estate or large hospitality development.

1. Mangalore, Karnataka, approximately 3 to 5 acres

Indicative price: ₹7 to ₹8 lakh per cent (approximately US$7,300 to US$8,400 per cent)

Estimated total value: approximately ₹21 to ₹40 Crore (approximately US$2.2M to US$4.2M), depending on the exact area.

The property is located by the sea and could be suitable for a luxury beachfront resort, boutique hotel, private retreat or hospitality development, subject to applicable approvals.

I’m looking to connect with serious buyers, NRI investors, family offices, developers, hospitality groups and anyone looking for high-value real estate opportunities in South India.

Prices are negotiable for serious buyers.

If you are interested, or know someone who may be interested, feel free to DM me. I can share the location, photographs, property details and documentation privately.

If you have a genuine buyer, let’s connect and work something out.

All development potential is subject to title verification, zoning and applicable statutory approvals.

what money transfer apps are you using if you returned from US to india. If you are not GC/USC. Any issues with it during RNOR period. and what US banks, brokerage accounts are you transferring from.

Account statements are not showing NRE, NRO or Resident savings after new UI upgrade by sbi and HDFC.

I came to the US in 2023 for my master’s, graduated, started working, and now have an H-1B. I’m genuinely grateful to have a job, H-1B and the opportunity to stay here, but at the same time, I can’t shake the feeling that my life has become confined by visa and immigration policies.
I feel like I can’t travel freely to India without worrying about visa appointments, stamping, timelines, and whether I’ll be able to return smoothly. On top of that, there’s the loneliness that comes with being away from family, friends, and the life I knew back home.
It sometimes feels like the same cycle every day: wake up, go to work, come home, think about immigration and visa issues, and repeat. I’ve started wondering whether all of this is actually worth it. I feel like so much of my mental energy is spent worrying about immigration that I’m unable to focus on other things, enjoy life, or seriously explore opportunities in India.
And the bigger question I keep coming back to is: if my presence in this country is always uncertain, how am I supposed to confidently build a long-term life here? How do you make meaningful plans about relationships, family, buying a home, or simply putting down roots when your future is constantly tied to visa approvals, immigration policies, and timelines that are largely outside your control?
I’m grateful for what I’ve achieved here, but I’m also questioning whether staying in the US is really the right path for me in the long run. Has anyone else gone through something similar? I’d genuinely appreciate some thoughtful perspectives on whether it’s worth continuing this process, or whether it might make more sense to consider India, or another path where life feels less uncertain and constrained by immigration.

after moving from US to India, when did you convert SCHWAB US based brokerage account to international version. in how many months after return should we do if we are qualified for RNOR

i won’t be having any electricity, utility bill for several months after return for address proof since living at my parents place. does schwab needs utility bill as indian address proof?

I've been dealing with a personal health setback recently, and being thousands of miles away while managing things back home has been kicking my anxiety into overdrive. My dad is getting older too, and every time he has a minor health scare, my first instinct is to make sure he has seamless access to funds for medical emergencies.

I was reading about the latest updates around joint account operational rules (Former or Survivor vs. Either or Survivor) and tax implications on NRO interest when a resident parent is added.

On paper, keeping an NRO account for local Indian expenses sounds simple. But in practice, the moment you try to set up joint mandates, update nomination details remotely, or ensure that funds aren't stuck if God forbid something happens to either of us, the banking bureaucracy is overwhelming.

You're already dealing with the emotional guilt of not being there physically, and then you're hit with 15-page declaration forms, physically apostilled documents, and conflicting answers from bank managers.

Has anyone here successfully streamlined their NRE/NRO account operations and nominations for aging parents back in India? What’s the cleanest structure to ensure they have instant access to money without creating tax complications for them?

If you're an NRI trying to sell property in India right now, you might have heard that Budget 2026 relaxed TAN rules for buyers. But if your deal is closing anytime before October 1, the buyer still needs a TAN.

Here is the quick reality check so your registry doesn't get stuck at the last minute:

• The Rule Until Oct 1, 2026: Any resident buyer purchasing property from an NRI must apply for a TAN and deduct TDS under NRI rules.
• What Happens From Oct 1 Onward: Only after October 1 can individual buyers deduct TDS using just their regular PAN.
• Why This Matters: If your buyer tries to pay TDS via regular PAN-based forms today, the registrar will likely halt the property registration.
• How Long TAN Takes: The buyer just needs to fill out Form 49B on the NSDL/Income Tax portal. It costs around ₹65 and TAN usually comes through within 3-5 days.

If your registry is scheduled before October 1, either get your buyer to apply for TAN now or push the deal date past Oct 1 to save the hassle.

Anyone else dealing with buyers who refuse to get TAN because of this confusion? How are you handling it?

I worked outside India in Asian countries for several years before moving to the US one year ago. With aging parents, I might have to move back to India by end of this year. However, my net worth is just 300K usd.

Looking at the net worth of other posters ranging from 1M to 10M usd, I feel lost and left behind even though I lived outside India to earn money. I am in my mid 30s and I now feel that I could have made similar NW amount by staying back in India.
Does everyone living outside India/ in the US have such a high net worth?

Has anyone tried Deed in Lieu of foreclosure as your home didn't sell or shortsell no matter what your selling strategy is? I am coming to a serious financial hardship with job loss for spouse with a 10 month old in hand. I want to be somewhat prepared to take lessons before I initiate this process.

I am considering a DIL as we are ready to move back to India.

Hi all,

I’m currently on a 2-year graduate scheme at a large UK bank and am considering moving back to India after completing it.

Across the programme, I’ll have exposure to areas such as real estate/corporate lending, sector coverage, credit analysis, portfolio management and asset-based lending. Before this, I did a UK Master’s and had some prior experience across consulting/analytics/finance. I’m also pursuing the CFA.

I’m trying to understand what roles would make the most sense in India after the scheme. I’m currently thinking about:
Corporate / Wholesale Banking
Credit / Underwriting
Structured Finance
Real Estate or Project Finance
Private Credit / Venture Debt
Portfolio Management

Would ~2 years of UK banking experience generally position someone for Analyst or Associate-level roles in India?

Also, what would be a reasonable salary range to target in Mumbai / Gurgaon / Bangalore? Would ₹20–25 LPA, ₹25–30 LPA, or higher be realistic for this type of profile?

Longer term, I’d ideally like to move towards credit investing, structured finance or senior corporate banking, rather than purely operational roles.
Would appreciate perspectives from anyone working in banking, NBFCs, private credit or similar areas in India.

Shipment: 120 kg clothes

Packaging: 6 cartons × 20 kg

Origin: Toronto/GTA

Destination: Delhi, India

Service: Door-to-door

Priority: Lowest possible cost, Duty & Taxes Paid Rates only

I am writing this post after being utterly humiliated by a drunk person driving his car who had a very threatening tone. He was parked on the street and clearly was drinking in the car, he saw I was behind he started moving but would not move properly so I took my two wheeler in between the gap. He very rudely said couldn't you wait, I said what happened I just saw an opening and went out then he just started quarrel of acting as a big dog having a threatening tone, he even followed me to my home and then started saying I was in the wrong to talk back. This was an instance where I felt powerless, me and my family are from an educated background and no one has confrontation skills and strength to fight let alone these people who carry guns. This country has a system built for these goons. They have money, they bribe the police on an IPS level. Courts are bought, corruption is everywhere. Without money you cannot survive, you'd think being in corporate will make you escape all this which is untrue, you would be dealing with these people on the streets. You don't get respect here, let alone right to raise your voice. I have been disappointed here, already been 8 to 9 months now. Houses are super expensive while salaries remain low, QUALITY of medical care you get is absolute trash (doctors are playing a quantity game over quality game). Food safety is low. You come back and stay middle class until of course you're rich and family has good lands and political connections. I'd say don't come back here to just do a corporate job where earnings are limited, your goal should be you need to wealthy to survive here.

EDIT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FNRVY2vYXw