Background — Masters, Marriage & Migration
- Shravan: 2008 B.Tech (Vasavi College, Hyderabad), 3.5 years in India, then M.S. in the U.S. (2013).
- Tejasvi: 2010 Biotechnology (CBIT) → Cognizant (3 years) → M.S. in the U.S. (2013) to pivot into IT.
They met, married, and built their life together through long work hours and a tight-knit immigrant routine — until life nudged them in a different direction.
Why Do NRIs Decide to Return to India? Key Triggers
Returning to India wasn’t sudden; it matured over time. The 2020 pandemic turned thought into action.
“We were expecting a baby. If something happened to our parents, could we even reach them? That fear was the trigger.”
• Security & proximity to family outranked foreign stability.
• Visa anxiety limited career flexibility. For official information on visa status and immigration, visit USCIS.
• COVID uncertainty made distance feel unbearable.
“I don’t want to die here. That’s not what I signed up for.” They gave themselves six months — and made it permanent.
How Much Money Do You Need to Move Back to India?
They asked: How many months can we survive without jobs? The answer: you’ll never feel “enough.” Shift from accumulation to alignment.
How to Find a Job in India from USA: Career Transition Tips
Shravan managed a smooth inter-company transfer; Tejasvi paused post-delivery, then explored entrepreneurship. If you're concerned about H1B visa challenges and solutions, an internal transfer can provide stability during your transition.
• If your company has an India presence, push for an internal transfer.
• Hiring managers hesitate to interview candidates still abroad — move first, be immediately available.
• Notice periods matter — already being in India makes you a front-runner.
• Research strategies for finding a job in India from abroad to maximize your success rate.
How to Ship Belongings from USA to India: Complete Logistics Guide
- Home sale: Sold rather than rented; leveraged post-COVID demand.
- Timeline: 3 months from decision to departure.
- Shipping: 20 boxes (23 kg each) via SFL Worldwide — arrived safely in 6 months.
- Air baggage: 20 checked bags (9 free with business-class, 11 paid extras).
- Housing: Temporary 2-month rental after closing.
With a newborn, logistics had to be airtight. If they could redo one thing: negotiate to stay in their house until departure to avoid moving twice. When shipping personal effects to India, you'll need to understand customs regulations from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs to ensure smooth clearance.
For comprehensive information on shipping belongings from USA to India, including customs duties and documentation requirements, check our detailed guide.
What Is It Like Settling in India After Living Abroad?
“I had help for the baby, a cook, and time to recover from childbirth — impossible in the U.S.”
They celebrate proximity to family, gated-community convenience, spontaneous social life, and help for childcare and chores.
They do miss long road trips and quiet landscapes — and making new adult friendships takes time.
India vs USA Work Culture: What to Expect When You Return
- Flatter hierarchies than a decade ago.
- Output-focused teams and agile practices.
- Evening meetings with U.S. clients remain — but lifestyle support in India balances it.
“If you don’t like your company’s timing, wait six months and switch — flexibility exists.”
What’s Better Now
The India they returned to isn’t the India they left.
• UPI & digital payments everywhere.
• Women’s safety and independence improving.
• Gated communities providing global-level comfort.
• Affordable domestic help enabling true balance.
“I feel more pampered here than in the U.S. — everything is one Rapido ride away!”
Their Core Advice
Don’t move back to India — move to India. Treat it as a new opportunity, not an old memory.
- Reset expectations: India has evolved — so must you.
- Detach from nostalgia: Don’t compare; adapt.
- Go all in: Don’t keep the U.S. option open — commit and build here.
Rapid-Fire
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Favorite Indian Food | Hyderabadi Biryani & Haleem |
| Biggest Surprise | Gated community life — convenience, safety, social energy |
| Favorite Destination | Goa |
| Favorite Part of Life in India | “Freedom. We’re citizens, not outsiders.” |
Your Next Steps
• Banking → NRI bank account
• Phone Number → Maintain foreign number
• Remittances → Hassle-free remittances
Your Return, Simplified — Expert-Guided, Community-Powered
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Back to India from USA
✍️ Editorial Summary
Shravan and Tejasvi’s story dismantles clichés about “returning to India.” The India of 2023 is faster, freer, and full of potential. They didn’t move back — they moved forward, to India.