r/returnToIndia

I used to work as a software developer in a WITCH company in Kolkata and in 2019 I moved to Bangalore to work in a Tier 1 Product company.

I loved the city, the climate, the culture, social and friendly colleagues, team events, company benefits, etc. Life was good and I was working on an exciting product.

In 2021, I got a job offer from a small company in the north of UK. The pay was mediocre but since I wanted to travel and explore Europe at a slower pace, I decided to make the move. Since I had resigned before the vesting period, I had to forfeit my stocks which would now have been atleast $100K-150K. At the time, I did not think the stocks would appreciate this much.

I have completed my mission of exploring and travelling but as a consequence, I have not made much career progress or savings. Salaries are low and taxes are high in UK.. with 15 years of experience, I am making GBP 58K a year before tax, while my batchmates, ex-colleagues and various people on Reddit are making 70L-1.5Cr in India itself (Bangalore, Mumbai, etc).

I am 38 now and am worried I might not be able to save much for retirement if I don't move back to India (much lower tax than UK) and join any good North American product company with generous stock grants. Getting a USA work visa is near impossible for me and even so under the current times.

I will be eligible for UK permanent residency this year but not sure if it is worth spending GBP 10K over it (for me and my spouse, who is a non-working housewife) considering low savings potential in the country and that from this year I need to pay tax to UK government on global income (approx. 40-45% tax on India FD and PPF interests, etc).

Several of my friends have warned me against moving back to Bangalore saying that things have changed a lot since 2019 and infrastructure is crumbling. My question is should I still return to Bangalore or consider any other city like Hyderabad? Any other advice would be highly appreciated for my stage in life. I don't have any significant savings except for some 15L in PPF.

I've been doing US-to-India transfers since 2014, but the moment I started actually tracking what each provider delivered, the gaps were bigger than I assumed. Background that probably matters: I once wired around $60,000 to India across six transactions before I realised the bank was quietly skimming 2-3 percent on every wire on top of the fee. That's roughly $1,200-1,800 of FX markup I'll never see again.

Here's what a $10,000 USD-INR transfer actually looks like today across the main providers. Numbers are from live rates I tracked this morning, so they shift, but the relative gaps are stable over time.

Wise. ~₹9,42,500 delivered. Uses the real mid-market rate (the one Google shows), charges a transparent ~0.45 percent fee. Typically the highest INR delivered for amounts under $10K.

XE Money Transfer. ~₹9,40,000 delivered. No transfer fee, slim spread baked into the rate. Sometimes beats Wise on larger amounts depending on the rate XE quotes that day.

Remitly Economy. ~₹9,38,500 delivered. Fee structure varies by speed (Express costs more, Economy cheaper). Has a first-transfer promo rate that occasionally beats both Wise and XE for that one transaction, then normalises.

US bank wire (Chase, BoA, Wells). ~₹9,28,000 delivered. Looks free or near-free on the surface (a $25-45 wire fee), but the FX rate is 2-3 percent worse than mid-market. On a $10K transfer that's ₹14,000-15,000 you don't see because the markup is invisible.

The gap between best (Wise) and worst (bank wire) on $10K is roughly ₹14,500. Across the six transfers I did over a few years, that's real money.

What I actually figured out:

The "no fee" framing is misleading. XE and bank wires both market "no transfer fee" but the markup lives inside the exchange rate. The only number that matters is final INR delivered, not whether there's a fee line item.

Which one to use depends on amount and corridor:
Under $1K, urgent → Remitly Express usually wins on speed even if rate is slightly worse.
$1K-$10K → Wise almost always wins on rate.
$10K+ → worth checking XE side by side, sometimes wins, sometimes Wise still ahead.
GCC corridors → Remitly is competitive but LuLu Exchange and Al Ansari sometimes beat both on AED-INR.

US bank wires are almost never the right answer. The only case they make sense is when you need a specific bank reference for tax or regulatory purposes (RBI scrutiny on large transfers occasionally needs the bank trail).

Few things people don't talk about enough:

TCS. Sending money out of India under LRS carries 20 percent TCS above ₹7 lakh per FY for most purposes. Education abroad gets 5 percent above the same threshold (0.5 percent if funded via education loan). The TCS is creditable against your Indian tax liability, but it's a cash flow drag.

Form A2 is mandatory for every outward remittance, but online providers (Wise, BookMyForex, bank NetBanking) auto-file it. If you're using offline or paper remittance, you have to file separately.

Intermediary bank fees on SWIFT wires. Even after your bank's wire fee, intermediary correspondent banks can deduct $15-30 from the wire before it lands in India. Wise, Remitly, and XE bypass SWIFT entirely on most corridors, so no intermediary deductions.

The day-of-week thing. FX markets move continuously during global trading hours. Wise, XE, and Remitly lock rates the moment you confirm, but bank wires lock the rate when the wire actually clears the FX desk — sometimes hours later. If the market moves against you in those hours, you eat the difference. Not theoretical, I've watched this happen on a Friday afternoon transfer that booked Monday morning at a worse rate.

The one thing I'd genuinely tell anyone: stop using your bank's wire. The 2-3 percent FX markup adds up to five figures fast.

Happy to answer specific questions on corridors I haven't covered (UK, EU, GCC, Australia, Canada). I built a live comparison tool because I got tired of doing this math manually every time, so the numbers above are pulled from there. Ask anything in the comments.

Hey everyone,

A while back, I came across a really good founder community/group for Indian founders in the US and founders planning to move back to India from Silicon Valley.

I also attended one of their community meets, and honestly, it was amazing to meet like-minded founders.

I wanted to reconnect but lost access to the group. If anyone has the link, could you please share it here again?

Would really appreciate it. Thanks:)

I’ll be pursuing an M.Tech/MS in Germany with a Data Science specialization, but unlike most people, I want to return to India after graduation because I want to support my parents and be with them as they grow older.

I want to understand how students from Germany/Europe land good Data Science/AI jobs in India, especially roles around 25+ LPA.

Some questions I have:

How are German/European degrees viewed in India?

What skills matter most for high-paying DS/AI roles?

During my degree, should I focus more on:

internships,

research/publications,

Kaggle,

open source,

DSA,

or projects?

Which Indian companies value European exposure?

When should I start applying for jobs in India, and how does the process usually work from abroad?

Is hiring mostly through referrals, LinkedIn, off-campus applications, or campus placements?

What kind of profile do students usually have before landing these jobs?

Would appreciate advice from people who studied/worked abroad and later returned to India.

TL;DR Exhausted at work with a constantly demoralizing boss, should I call it quits?.

Hello,

I have been working in the US for the last 15 years. I am single, late 30s. About an year and a half ago I accepted a promotion as a senior IC at the place of my work that required me to move to one of the tech hubs under a younger desi manager.

Now ever since I have moved here he has made my life hell. Every single 1:1 meeting is about how I am doing poorly, not meeting expectations, not up to the mark for the role etc. He will put 100 things on my plate including business deliverables and in each 1:1 he will pick up things which didn't go as planned and use that as an opportunity to berate me. If I ask him about it he will say I have just given you a small scope and that too you're unable to handle. He constantly asks for dates for each and every action item, makes me fill reports of progress each week, a 1:1 document containing highlights, lowlights, JIRA tickets including work log of each day - it is exhausting. It just feels like he doesn't want me to be around.

He put me on PIP last year which I was able to clear after talking about some of his antics with my skip. Ever since that time he has promoted everyone else on the team (we are a small team). We have a bunch of vendors who can't code a REST call using AI to save their life. I am given the worst of the bunch and then told that I am not being productive if deliverables are impacted. He cut my bonus and gave me the lowest raise of my career so far and is again suggesting that my performance is not up to the mark.

Meanwhile, others in the team are encouraged all the time, given rewards, promotions etc. He will constantly compare me to juniors and show how much better they are. He never talks about my achievements or team contributions or business deliverables. It is usually the product or business appreciating then he will add onto it saying that the team delivered. The guy who got multiple rewards, promotions basically pair programmed the whole system with me from the scratch yet I wasn't given any appreciation for it. I feel frustrated, angry and exhausted at this point.

I had made a plan to return to India this year independent of this but was hoping to find something internally before I could move. Unfortunately, there seems to be an ongoing hiring freeze within my org. At this point I am starting to wonder should I just quit and go back or is it worth to take in the morale downer for a few more months until I find something in India? Honestly, though I don't know how much I have it in me to take up another high stress job. Everyday we have calls with offshore team either early morning or late evenings and that is besides the day to day work.

Financially speaking, I am in a decent spot for a single person but I do want to find someone and start a family and that's where I am not sure if I have enough. Thankfully, my parents are financially independent and supportive.

Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions? I feel lost and don't feel like seeing my boss's face!

So, I keep on hearing this a lot - "Work culture in India is hell".

I have worked in Europe, UK, Canada and USA. And in India.

Work culture is always subjective. It all depends on what are you looking for. And are you ok with taking bs from your boss.

Look - locals in the western countries (citizens) CAN take life easy. They are okay with being a Senior Engineer all their life. They are okay with not building a large corpus - health/education is taken care by the country. They let their kids do whatever they want.

But, that is never the case with Indians. Indians are always hustling and trying to be better than before. Most (not all) don't really take long breaks/sabbatical to 'find themselves'. Whether in India or abroad.

And, they do want more money. Apart from a job, they will start doing a side business as well - Shop/Real Estate etc.

The main problem in India is actually, commute. THAT is hell. If you can solve that - Remote / Hybrid / House near office, life becomes much better. Commute is the main reason Bangalore gets a bad name.

But at work, no one is putting a gun on your head to work 14 hours a day. You can chose to work 8 hours, or 6 hours as well. Yes, you will miss 'Onsite', or a promotion, or get a lower hike. But that can be worth it if you are okay with it.

And my last point, I think most Indians don't work to increase the compensation per hour, rather they just increase the number of hours itself.

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Hello everyone, I’m in the US for 8 years and we had bought a new construction townhome home in NJ in April 2025. But a lot has changed ever since, I changed my job (due to layoffs) and the new job is not great in terms of pay and other benefits. And this company is going to start my PWD filing only in July 2026 and my H1B maxes out in 2028 Feb. So the timeline is also tight for me to make it.

As a blessing in disguise, I’m close to receiving an offer from a tech company in India and their pay is generally among the top companies. My wife always wants to move back to stay close with family. But only thing that comes in between is the newly bought house. We have just been in it for 1 year and our community is still actively being developed (new houses are still being constructed).

What are my options here other than to stay back in the US for the sake of the house? How to sell the house fast and is renting is practical while staying outside the US? Any help is much appreciated! I know we shouldn’t have bought a house without an approved I-140 but it is what it is and we want to look forward and see how this can be handled.

NRE vs NRO is the question people ask. It's the wrong frame. There are four accounts in the NRI toolkit, not two, and once you actually use them you realize each one solves a different problem.

NRE is rupee, funded by foreign earnings. Tax-free interest, fully repatriable, has to be joint with another NRI if you want it joint. That's where your salary from abroad lands while you're outside India. The moment you become resident under FEMA it has to convert to a regular savings account. The bank won't chase you for this — you're supposed to inform them. Most people don't, which is technically a FEMA violation, and the tax-free interest stopped being tax-free from the day you came back.

NRO is also rupee, but for India-sourced money — rent, dividends, pension, inheritance. Interest is taxed and the bank takes 30 percent TDS up front. You can knock that down with Form 10F and your TRC. Repatriation out of NRO is capped at $1M a year and needs a 15CA/CB from a CA. Joint with a resident is allowed, unlike NRE.

FCNR(B) is the one that gets ignored and shouldn't. Fixed deposit in foreign currency — USD, GBP, EUR, CAD, AUD, JPY. 1 to 5 year tenor. Interest tax-free in India. No FX risk because the principal stays in the booking currency. And here's the part I wish I'd paid attention to earlier: if you book it before becoming a resident, it can run to maturity even after you've moved back. Cleanest way to carry a foreign-currency cushion through the transition.

RFC is the post-return version of holding foreign currency. You open it once you're back. Interest tax-free during RNOR, taxable after. The point is you're not forced to convert to INR on day one — you hold the USD or whatever and convert when the rate suits you.

The actual mapping I'd use:

Foreign salary → NRE.
Indian rent, dividends, pension → NRO.
Foreign currency you want to hold long-term → FCNR before the move, RFC after.

Two things people get wrong.

One: “Convert everything to INR before you move back.”
Not true. NRE auto-converts, FCNR can continue till maturity, and RFC exists specifically so returning NRIs can continue holding foreign currency legally.

Two: “My bank never contacted me after I moved back, so my NRE must still be fine.”
The obligation is on you to inform the bank once your FEMA residential status changes. Most banks won’t proactively chase you. That doesn’t mean the account is still compliant or the interest remains tax-free.

My visa validity was over and had to return to India. Feeling lost and frustrated. No savings! Wasted 3 years!

I may not be able to close all my bank accounts - mix of checking/savings across 5 major banks. Any risks if I were to do this online, once I am back in India? I am carrying my US number (ported to Tello).

Asking this because usually they expect us to visit the bank. All accounts are in good standing, no loans, pending fee etc.

After seven years living in Europe and having been acquired foreign citizenship, I am planning to return to India.

Earlier, people in India were on board with this idea but now everyone has been quite pessimistic. I do see the state of India going down the drain every single day but loneliness is europe has crept in.

Quality of life in Europe is great but my aspirations to pursue entrepreneurship was always an aspiration. A bit clueless of what and how but now it's escalation of commitment because I have become very complacent and 'chill' in life. Sometimes I think I have lost my senses of thinking to leave a cushy job, benefits, etc. Then I see people returning to india with the magnitude of their savings.

To the people who moved from Western Europe to India, how did the transition look like? Did you regret your decision?

Guys,

I did some research on the lean fire India, subreddit and they all said that I have enough to lean fire in India. I’m kinda done, only cuz I miss my family and parents. I feel bad that they have to get old without any help. I wanna spend their last days with them. But the issue is that I have barely enough. Would be nice to have some cushion.

That being said, what’s life like once u return. I’m sure the traffic, heat and garbage will be a pain, but besides that how’s day to day life from those who have returned? Many years down the road, do you regret it or not? What are some of the stuff u like? Some of the stuff u hate? Let me know.

Worst case if I do decide to go to work there, is it the work experience pleasant or excruciating? Please let me know everything I should watch out for?

Top Schools

I was thinking about how hard it is in abroad and how better it would be if I returned home. But seeing how India is suffering to inflation, job crisis, etc with way less economic growth than US, UK, etc is making me rethink, if I can make a living there. Damn this economy sucks and AI has disrupted job market. How do you cope with this?

USA citizen for many years with OCI, around 65 years old, with children and grandchildren in USA. First 25 years growing up and education in India. With substantial assets in India and the USA, file taxes in both places. Blessed to be in this situation.

Can't stay for more than 120 continuous days in India, otherwise will become resident from a tax perspective, and be subjected to babudom tax rigamarole of my USA assets like Roth, property..etc . In USA diy tax via TurboTax.

I would like to spend my final years in India for cultural reasons. Healthy and fit

But due to all Indian tax hassles, I will just be a visitor.

Just venting about it.

26F, had to move back from New York to Delhi permanently a few weeks ago due to visa issues. Have 4 YOE only in NYC.
Would appreciate any help/referrals/insights/guidance in finding a job in India.
In the few weeks I’ve been back, have given 3 interviews so far in big MNCs but the Indian corporate market is definitely one of the toughest markets to crack.
Correct me if I am wrong -

1. My NYC experience seems to be working against me instead of for me. Because the recruiters/hiring managers see me as someone who won’t be able to adapt or perform as per the Indian work culture. Its not completely true because being an immigrant the one thing you learn quickest & the most is adaptability. Yes there is going to be Reverse Culture Shock coz ngl even day to day life feels sooo hardd here after living that life thats its gonna take some time to adjust to the (we all know kinda toxic) work culture here but I will assimilate.
2. They are assuming my salary expectations are going to be super inflated. Would I love to earn atleast 20-30 lacs after earning in 6 figures in USD? YES SURE. Is that realistically possible given my lack of Indian work ex & the Indian market? No. I am going into my job hunt here with an open mind bcz rn its more important for me to get a foot into the door & I will work my way up.
3. Interviewing here is sooo different from American interviews. Here it feels more like an entrance exam into college. People don’t warm up or hold up a conversation…they just start shooting questions & expect you to answer as if you’re in a viva. This is where Im struggling most mentally. It doesn’t feel like 2 adults assessing a fit, it feels like a ring master wanting you to perform at the cue. It’s kind of putting me off but ig im trying to train myself for it.
   Would really appreciate serious advise & help…if you can pls refrain from sending any negativity my way as I am already dealing with the trauma of having to move back & give up on a thriving career only to restart in a place like Delhi.
   Thank you!

So I'm in a bit of a stressful spot right now and could use some genuine advice from people who've been through something similar.

I've been working in Sweden for a few years now( do not have an indian experience), but got laid off earlier this year. Last working day was January 31st. This is actually my second layoff, which I know looks bad on paper, and Indian HRs might flag it during screening calls. On top of that, my visa is tied to employment so I'm basically on a clock.

I'm still actively trying to find something in Sweden and haven't given up on that. But I'm also being realistic about it. If nothing comes through in time, I'll probably have to head back to India. So I'm trying to line up remote options in parallel, somewhere in the 20-30 LPA range.

My background is Business Analysis and Product management( worked as a product owner for a global manufacturing company, did my masters in softwareengineeringthrough an integrated program but i hate coding), around 4 years of experience. I've worked on IoT/telematics platforms and enterprise transformation projects. PSPO and PSM certified.

Why i am looking for a remote job is to live closer to my parents and also help my dad with his business after work.

A few things I'd love input on:

1. How do you handle the "gap since January" question without it killing the conversation immediately?

2. Any websites, platforms or communities worth trying for remote BA/Product roles in that salary range? ( bought naukri pro)

3. Has anyone dealt with the "laid off twice" flag from Indian recruiters? Does reframing it actually help or do they just move on?

4. How to get the attention of indian recruiters to contact me ( similar to linkedin invites)?

Not looking for sympathy, just practical advice. Thanks.

After spending 17 years here, I feel it’s time to move, but I have significant concerns. My wife and I don’t have many relatives or close friends remaining. She was born in Mumbai but raised here, and I arrived after high school. We are both in our late 30s with two children. South India may not be suitable for us, and we prefer not to go too far north. Having lived in the suburbs, we are trying to avoid Mumbai. Could you suggest a potentially good place to relocate? I understand this is subjective, but I would appreciate your overall thoughts. Additionally, regarding finances, what is the best practice? Should we sell everything here, including savings, stocks, 401k, IUL, etc., or leave them behind? Are there any professionals or companies that can provide a step-by-step plan for our move? Thank you.

If I am in the RNOR period and want to liquidate my Roth IRA will my gains be taxed in the US or is it only the 10% penalty. Asking as US does not tax capital gains for RNOR.