1. Work and income
- Will you move with your current employer, find a job in India, work remotely for a foreign company, or start a business? Each has a different tax and visa picture.
- Indian salaries in tech, finance and consulting can be strong in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai and Delhi NCR, but rarely match US or Gulf take-home pay in dollars.
- Remote work for a foreign employer from India has tax and social-security consequences on both sides. Get advice before you sign.
2. Children
- What age are they? Moves before class 9 are easiest; classes 11 and 12 are the hardest. See choosing a school.
- Are they Indian citizens or foreign citizens (and so need OCI)? See surrender and OCI.
- Talk to them early. Teenagers in particular often find the move harder than parents expect.
3. Parents
Caring for ageing parents is the most common reason people give for returning. Think about where they live, whether you will share a home, and their health insurance: since 2024 there is no upper age limit for buying a new policy.
4. Money you leave abroad
- Retirement accounts, pensions and investments abroad can usually be kept, but the tax treatment changes once you become ordinarily resident in India. Use your RNOR years to plan; see RNOR status.
- US citizens and green card holders keep filing US returns while living in India.
- Keep at least one bank account and credit card abroad if you have income or assets there.
5. The city
Most returning families choose Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi or Chandigarh. Compare cost, climate, schools and air quality in our city guides and the best cities to live in India chart.
6. Daily life: what changes
- Help at home is affordable and common; so is the work of managing it.
- Traffic and air quality can be hard to get used to, especially in north Indian winters.
- Paperwork is mostly online now, but expect some queues.
- Family and social life is the big gain most people mention, along with festivals and food.
7. Reverse culture shock
Many people feel a dip three to six months after arriving, when the novelty fades and the frustrations of traffic, bureaucracy or noise add up. It usually passes. Building a routine, finding other returnees (most cities have groups) and keeping some links to life abroad help.
8. A trial run
If you can, spend two or three months in your chosen city before you commit: rent a furnished flat, do school visits, and live a normal week.
Next steps
Ready to plan? Our return to India hub has a month-by-month checklist and a residential status calculator.
