Why We Chose India Over the US After 10 Years (H-1B Reality)
Ravi spent 10 years in the US on H-1B, dealt with visa denials, I-140 timing problems, July 2026 green-card backlog pressure, and chose Hyderabad. Use his decision process to compare visa risk, job mobility, family support, and return timing.
In this story
- Why Ravi moved back to India
- How to decide whether to return to India from H-1B
- Why Ravi Went to the US
- Life in the US: The Good and the Lonely
- The Trigger: COVID, Loneliness, and Family
- The Real H1B Challenges Nobody Talks About
- When His H1B Was Denied: A Nightmare Experience
- The Financial Reality: 10 Years, Same Purchasing Power
- Green Card Backlog Reality in 2026
- Why 10 Years Matters: Social Security Credits
- Planning the Move: Internal Transfer Process
- Life in India: Work, Family, and Adjustments
- Advice for NRIs Considering the Move
- The Bottom Line: Why India Won
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Watch the Full Interview
- Related Articles
Ravi spent a decade in the US on H-1B, navigated visa denials, lost a stronger job opportunity because of I-140 timing, and then watched COVID scatter his support system. He chose Hyderabad for family, long-term stability, and a life that felt less trapped by visa uncertainty.
Why Ravi moved back to India
Ravi's decision came down to four things: family priorities in Hyderabad, H-1B and I-140 uncertainty, loneliness after COVID, and the feeling that career upside in the US was no longer worth the long-term immigration trap.
H-1B moving back to India in 2026: what changed?
If you are asking whether to stay on H-1B or return to India in 2026, check the official backlog before treating a US salary as the only factor. The July 2026 US Department of State Visa Bulletin lists India EB-2 as unavailable for the rest of FY 2026, India EB-1 final action as 15OCT22, and India EB-3 final action as 01JAN14. USCIS separately tells adjustment applicants which chart to use on its Visa Bulletin filing chart page.
That is why Ravi's story should be read as more than a family story. It answers the practical search behind h1b moving back to india: when the immigration path is unstable, compare visa dates, job mobility, family support, mental health, and a return runway together.
H-1B Stress Return Decision: What This Story Answers
- Visa stress: H-1B renewal, I-140 timing, job-change limits, and green-card backlog can make a stable US job feel fragile.
- Strong salary, weak life fit: even a high-paying US role can feel wrong if loneliness, family distance, or anxiety is rising.
- Family timing: Ravi chose Hyderabad while his children were young enough for school and grandparent adjustment to be easier.
- Practical next step: use this story for emotional validation, then use the USA return guide and NRI job-search guide for execution.
How to decide whether to return to India from H-1B
Ravi's story is useful because it shows a repeatable decision sequence, not only a personal outcome. Before leaving the US or staying by default, map the immigration, career, family, and logistics pieces in this order.
Step 1: Check your Visa Bulletin category and I-140 runway
Start with your EB category, priority date, I-140 status, H-1B extension position, and whether a job change would restart PERM or I-140 timing. If your green-card path depends on a category that is unavailable or heavily retrogressed, treat immigration risk as a core family-planning input.
Step 2: Compare job mobility against real salary progress
Do not compare only headline US salary with India salary. Compare after-tax cash flow, housing, childcare, healthcare, single-income pressure, and whether H-1B sponsorship limits better offers. Ravi's stronger offer failed because I-140 timing made the move impractical.
Step 3: Put family support and mental health into the decision
List what staying costs beyond money: loneliness, scattered social circles, aging parents, grandparent access for children, spouse workload, and mental-health load. If the US life still works, stay with a plan. If the support gap is widening, build the India plan before burnout forces a rushed move.
Step 4: Secure the India work path before moving
Ravi used an internal transfer and negotiated Hyderabad even though his company's India office was in Bangalore. Check internal transfer, remote team continuity, India job search, compensation reset, reporting hours, and whether monthly travel is acceptable before resigning or shipping household goods.
Step 5: Sequence housing, school, shipping, and US assets
Decide what to keep in the US, what to sell, what to ship, where children will live and study in India, and whether you are close enough to 40 Social Security credits to adjust timing. Then use the USA return guide, shipping guide, and Social Security guide for execution details.
Key Highlights from Ravi's Journey
- Worked in the US for 10 years on H1B visa in big data and machine learning
- Experienced H1B visa denial and had to leave the US immediately
- Had a higher-paying job offer rescinded due to I-140 timing issues
- Official July 2026 Visa Bulletin pressure: India EB-2 unavailable, EB-1 India retrogressed, and EB-3 India final action at 01JAN14
- Salary growth from $90K to $140K over 10 years — same purchasing power after inflation
- COVID triggered loneliness as friends moved away and got married
- Stayed 10 years to secure 40 Social Security credits for future benefits
- Internal transfer to India took about 3 months to complete
- Moved to Hyderabad with kids aged 4 and 2 for grandparent connection
- Now works from home with shifted hours (12-9 PM) — no commute stress
The hard truth about H-1B: Ravi described the employment-based backlog as a 150-190 year wait because, from an Indian worker's lived experience, permanent residence can feel unreachable. For official planning, do not rely on a fixed wait-time number. Start with the current Visa Bulletin, your priority date, your employer's I-140 timing, and whether your family can tolerate another multi-year uncertainty window.
Looking for the complete planning guide? Use the USA cornerstone guide for the broad tax, schooling, city-choice, and move-sequencing framework. This page is Ravi's H1B-and-family story layered underneath it.
Why Ravi Went to the US
Ravi's journey to the US wasn't a carefully planned career move — it happened almost by chance. After working in India for about 5 years, he attended a workshop on big data and machine learning that changed his trajectory.
His primary motivation wasn't money or immigration — it was the work itself. Back in 2014-2015, the US offered something India couldn't match at the time:
This is a common story among tech professionals: the allure of working on cutting-edge projects, exposure to different work cultures, and the opportunity to grow technically. But as Ravi would discover, the professional gains came with significant personal costs.
Life in the US: The Good and the Lonely
For the first several years, life in the US was manageable. Ravi had friends nearby, a social circle, and the typical NRI experience of building a life in a new country.
Then came marriage, kids, and the natural evolution of life. Grandparents would visit once in a while, providing temporary relief from the isolation of raising children far from family.
But the pandemic changed everything.
This loneliness became a turning point. The social fabric that made life in the US bearable had unraveled, and rebuilding it seemed increasingly difficult.
The Trigger: COVID, Loneliness, and Family
Ravi had always harbored thoughts of returning to India. But like many NRIs, he was caught in the "in-between" — not fully committed to staying, not ready to leave.
Several factors converged to tip the scales toward India:
Why Ravi Chose India
- Grandparent-grandchild disconnect: "They would meet the kids every one year. Parents age quickly and kids age quickly, and the disconnect between grandchildren and grandparents was widening."
- Friend circle scattered: COVID caused friends to relocate and get married, leaving a void
- H1B limitations: Career growth was stunted by visa restrictions
- Financial stagnation: Real income hadn't improved despite years of work
- Green-card backlog pressure: official July 2026 dates made permanent-residence planning feel too uncertain
The grandparent connection was particularly poignant. With kids aged 4 and 2, Ravi realized the window for building meaningful relationships between his children and their grandparents was closing fast.
The Real H1B Challenges Nobody Talks About
The H1B visa is often portrayed as a golden ticket to the American dream. Ravi's experience reveals a different reality — one of constant uncertainty, limited mobility, and subtle discrimination.
Always a "Temporary Worker"
This status affects everything — from how employers view you to how you're treated in the workplace. Despite years of contributions, H1B workers remain in a precarious position.
Silent Discrimination
While not overt, these micro-aggressions accumulate over time, affecting one's sense of belonging and psychological well-being.
Career Mobility Restrictions
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect is how H1B restricts career growth. Ravi experienced this firsthand when a better opportunity slipped away:
Political instability adds another layer of uncertainty:
The 6-year trap: Without starting the I-140 (green card) process, H1B workers are restricted to only 6 years in the US. Ravi was at the 4.5-year mark when he switched companies, and his new employer started the process just in time.
When His H1B Was Denied: A Nightmare Experience
Ravi's story includes one of the most traumatic experiences an H1B worker can face — a visa denial that forced him to leave the country immediately.
The consequences were immediate and severe:
What Happens After H1B Denial
- Limited grace period: When H1B is pending, you can stay for about 240-270 days
- Immediate departure required: Once denial comes, you must leave immediately
- Unlawful presence risk: Days stayed after denial count as unlawful period of stay
- Life disruption: Must sell or store belongings, find housing in India, find new job
Ravi found a job in India, but the experience there wasn't great. After about 3 months, his H1B approval finally came through (the company had refiled properly), and he returned to the US. But the trauma of that experience stayed with him.
The Financial Reality: 10 Years, Same Purchasing Power
One of the most eye-opening aspects of Ravi's story is the financial reality of staying in the US on H1B. Despite a decade of work, his real income barely moved.
Meanwhile, costs kept rising:
Rising Costs vs. Stagnant Real Income
| Factor | 2016 | 2024 | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal Salary | $90,000 | $140,000 | +55% nominal |
| Real Purchasing Power | Baseline | Same | 0% real growth |
| Housing Prices | Baseline | Significantly higher | Negative |
| Groceries | Baseline | Higher | Negative |
This is a crucial consideration for NRIs: the nominal salary increase often masks the reality of stagnant or declining purchasing power, especially for single-income families.
Green Card Backlog Reality in 2026
Perhaps the most damning indictment of the US immigration system for Indians is the green card backlog. Ravi's assessment is blunt:
Treat Ravi's 150-190 year statement as lived-experience shorthand, not an official wait-time calculator. For official planning, compare your priority date against the current US Department of State Visa Bulletin and the monthly USCIS adjustment filing-chart guidance.
July 2026 reality check: the official Visa Bulletin lists India EB-2 as unavailable for the rest of FY 2026, India EB-1 final action as 15OCT22, and India EB-3 final action as 01JAN14. If your life plan depends on a green card, this is not background paperwork; it is core family planning data.
This reality fundamentally changes the calculus for anyone considering the US on H1B. You may still have good reasons to stay, but the decision should be based on official dates, employer support, family timing, mental health, and a credible India plan.
For more on immigration considerations, see our guide on the harsh reality of H1B work visa life.
Planning the Move: Internal Transfer Process
Once the decision was made, Ravi opted for an internal transfer — a common and relatively smooth path for those whose companies have India offices.
Timeline and Logistics
Key decisions during the planning phase:
Ravi's Moving Checklist
- Kept the US property: "We thought of keeping it around for maybe kids' future" — rented it out instead of selling
- Shipped selectively: Only items with sentimental value (kids' books, balance bike)
- Sold most belongings: Used Facebook Marketplace to sell furniture and household items
- Staggered family move: Wife and kids flew home early while Ravi wrapped up
The City Choice: Hyderabad Over Bangalore
Ravi's company had an office in Bangalore, but he specifically requested to work from Hyderabad:
The reason? Family. Both his parents and in-laws were in and around Hyderabad, making it the logical choice for the grandparent-grandchild connection he wanted to build.
What to Ship vs. What to Leave
His daughter's reaction to the move was emotional:
For detailed guidance on shipping, see our article on how to ship items from US to India.
Life in India: Work, Family, and Adjustments
Work-Life Balance Transformation
One of the biggest changes for Ravi has been the work arrangement. Despite working for the same company with the same team, the dynamics shifted significantly:
The benefits of this arrangement:
Work-Life Balance Gains
- No commute: Working from home eliminates travel stress
- Morning flexibility: Can help with household chores before work
- Family time: Living with or near parents means daily interaction
- Same team continuity: No need to rebuild professional relationships
Family Adjustment
The other challenge? Outdoor activities:
Housing Considerations
Currently staying with parents, Ravi is planning to rent a place nearby with better amenities for the kids:
The traffic and biking culture in India presents a real challenge for young children:
Advice for NRIs Considering the Move
Based on his experience, Ravi offers practical advice for those thinking about returning to India:
On Traffic and Infrastructure
On Problem-Solving
On Planning
Ravi's Pre-Move Checklist
- Think about residency: Where you plan on staying — city, neighborhood, type of housing
- Research schools: What sort of school you want to send kids to
- Adjust expectations: India has changed — be prepared for differences
- Build support network: Friends and family help is invaluable during transition
On H1B Specifically
Connect with others on the same journey
Join our community of NRIs who have made or are planning the move back to India. Share experiences, get advice, and find support.
The Bottom Line: Why India Won
Ravi's story isn't about India being perfect or the US being terrible. It's about making a calculated decision based on what matters most.
For him, the equation was clear:
India vs. US: Ravi's Final Calculation
| Factor | US Reality | India Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration Status | Permanent "temporary worker" | Citizen, full rights |
| Green Card | Backlog-driven uncertainty; July 2026 EB-2 India unavailable | N/A — already home |
| Family Connection | Annual visits, growing disconnect | Daily interaction with grandparents |
| Social Circle | Scattered after COVID | Rebuilding with family base |
| Career Mobility | Restricted by visa | Full flexibility |
| Financial Growth | Stagnant real income | Lower cost of living, family support |
The H1B visa, once seen as a stepping stone to the American dream, has become a trap for many Indian professionals. With impossible green card wait times, career restrictions, and the constant uncertainty of visa renewals, the calculus has shifted.
For Ravi, choosing India wasn't giving up — it was choosing a life where he could be present for his kids, connected to his parents, and free from the perpetual limbo of temporary worker status.
Sometimes the best career move isn't about career at all. It's about life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should H1B visa holders move back to India?
Do not decide from salary alone. Compare Visa Bulletin dates, I-140 status, employer mobility, spouse and child needs, savings runway, family support in India, mental-health load, and whether an internal transfer or India job search can be planned before a crisis forces the decision.
How long is the green card wait time for Indians on H1B?
Ravi used 150-190 years as lived-experience shorthand for the employment-based backlog. For official planning, use the current Visa Bulletin and USCIS filing-chart page. In the July 2026 Visa Bulletin, India EB-2 is unavailable for the rest of FY 2026, EB-1 India final action is 15OCT22, and EB-3 India final action is 01JAN14.
Should I stay on H-1B or return to India in 2026?
Do not decide from salary alone. Compare your Visa Bulletin position, I-140 status, job-change options, spouse and child needs, savings runway, India job plan, family support, and mental-health load. If the visa path is unstable, build the India return plan before a crisis forces it.
What does the July 2026 Visa Bulletin mean for Indian H-1B workers?
It is a planning warning. India EB-2 is unavailable for the remainder of FY 2026, EB-1 India retrogressed to 15OCT22, and EB-3 India final action is 01JAN14. That does not mean every H-1B worker should leave, but it does mean green-card expectations need current official-date checking.
What if a strong US salary still comes with depression or anxiety?
Treat the return decision as both a planning question and a health question. Talk to qualified mental-health support, avoid making a permanent move during a crisis window, and separately map job transfer, savings runway, visa timing, family support, school, and plan B.
What happens if you don't start the I-140 process within 6 years on H1B?
If you don't initiate the I-140 (green card) process, you are restricted to only 6 years on H1B. Without starting this process, you would have to leave the US after 6 years regardless of your job situation.
Can H1B visa restrictions affect job changes and salary growth?
Yes, significantly. Ravi had a higher-paying job offer rescinded because the new company didn't have enough time to get I-140 approval during the transition period. Political instability also affects hiring preferences, with companies often favoring US citizens or green card holders.
Why is the 10-year mark important for NRIs working in the US?
Working 10 years (40 credits) in the US makes you eligible for Social Security benefits. This was one reason Ravi stayed the full 10 years before returning to India — to secure future retirement benefits that can be received even while living in India.
How did Ravi plan his internal transfer to India?
The process took about 3 months. He requested to work from Hyderabad (not Bangalore where the office was) as a special case for family reasons, with a compromise of flying to Bangalore monthly. His wife and kids flew to India early while he wrapped up the US transition.
What should NRIs consider about kids' schooling when moving to India?
Ravi moved with children aged 4 and 2. Key considerations include: building new friendships takes time, outdoor play areas may be limited in traditional neighborhoods, and traffic makes biking risky for young children. He advises thinking carefully about residential areas with good amenities for children.
Watch the Full Interview
Chapters
- 0:00 Introduction
- 1:15 Background
- 3:15 Life in US and why move to India?
- 6:22 H1B visa life
- 13:40 Planning the move
- 16:40 Place to relocate in India
- 20:04 Work life/ culture in India
Transcript
Auto-generated captions, lightly cleaned
0:00 After a while it sort of felt lonely. so so so yeah essentially that that that was sort of a trigger to move back to India. Cleared all the rounds but the only reason I they I guess rescended the offer is they did not have enough time to get I140 approval during this transition period. the biggest challenge was internal transcore. Another good thing I wanted to share on H1B is so once we are on H1B if if if one's goal is to go for a green bud the current wait time is about 190 or 150 years.
1:13 Thank you very much Rabi for joining
1:15 Us today and willing to share your story with us. So let's start a bit about your background and what made you to go abroad. >> Thank you Ainash for including in the session. So the the the initial motivation I had for moving abroad was back back in the day like 10 years ago. I thought essentially the work culture in US was different and maybe I get to work in a lot of core development activities which I actually got to which I actually got to see and encounter so so yeah that that's sort of my primary reason to move to the US not nothing Got it. So you were working in India for some time and then you were like looking for way to work on some some core you know domains or certain thing
2:17 That kind of motivated you to take the opportunities abroad. So I worked in prior to the US transfer. I was working in India for about 5 years and I really did not want to wanted to apply for US visa but it it so happened and I I I just got lucky. But so I actually went to a sort of a workshop we could say a big data and machine learning workshop and they had there was a company that was needing resources for themsel are to SNP help out with their u big data and machine learning projects.
Read the full transcript (24 more sections)
3:03 So that that's what sort of motivated me and and yeah that that's how it it all got started and wheels got moving on. >> Got it. So how was the life in US and
3:17 For the last 10 years? So prior to co I had a lot of friends who were in up and around where I was working and as soon as co hit many many of them got married they moved moved locations and after a while it sort of felt lonely so so so yeah essentially that that that was sort of a trigger to move back to India. >> Got it. So yeah, I think you kind of touched about the you know the reason or like the thought behind thinking about moving to India. so maybe let's talk about like why after 10 years why you know the decision at that point why not earlier or why not later and then also like the reasons why it became much more stronger to act on it. so ever
4:19 Since I landed in the states I always wanted to go back. I did not have strong reason as to if I have to move back or stay in the US. So I was sort of in in between and and essentially after I got married we we had kids and grandparents were visiting once in a while. and we also had friends for a little while until until co hit. so so essentially when we thought about the relationship between grandparents and children essentially they would meet the kids every one year. So and and parents also age quickly and kids also age quickly and the disconnect between grandchildren and grandparents was widening. So the
5:22 That was one reason and also as I said earlier many of our friends moved places and that that also made the situation like more more towards moving back and and one of the questions you asked was why 10 years? so one of the reasons I thought was essentially all H-1Bs or anyone who works in the US contributes to social security to access none of which we ever get to see. But I found out from one of the person that if we work for 40 credits which is approximately 10 years he would be eligible for social security. Hope hopefully that doesn't get scrapped but but yeah essentially that's the that's the other reason for 10 years.
6:21 Got it. So I think you kind of mentioned
6:24 About being on H1 visa right maybe like how was your experience living in US as an H1 from a career opportunities career growth or you know the flexibility anything that you want to share on that? So one of the things that I wanted to share was let me take some numbers to explain. So let's say let's say in 2016 approximately I was making around $90,000 and before exiting US let's say I was making $140. If you take into account all the inflation numbers, I was actually making the same amount of money that I was making in 2016. So not not much has improved and and the housing housing prices have gone up. even grastories have gone up. So it it did not make enough financial sense. So
7:27 In my case I was the sole earner like a single single income family. So so it did not make much financial sense as well to stick around. Got it. you kind of touched on the financial side like I think maybe more on you know the increments or the adjustment of the salary but being on a H1 has that restricted in terms of taking the other opportunities that could pay more or is just that way the dynamics are in the market that you have been working in. So so essentially if if anyone ever comes on H1 and they do not have a path to green card meaning if they have not started I140 process they are only restricted to 6 years. So I was right around that mark. my career wasted around four 4 and a half
8:28 Years. I did not initiate the I140 processing and as soon as I switched to one of the one of the companies that I'm currently working with, they started the green card process which which was halfway through. So right around that time I interviewed with a company that was paying higher but the I cleared all the rounds but the only reason I they I guess rescended the offer is they did not have enough time to get a icon for the approval. so so essentially I was sort of locked out then and with the changing political situations I really wasn't able to I I I guess it's it's sort of a one of oneoff situation wherein whenever I wanted to switch there was
9:29 Some or the other political instability wherein the companies were primarily focusing on locals as one would say for example US citizens or green plat boulders but unfortunately I was sort of stuck in the same I guess so one of the thing is with the H1B H1B issues so it doesn't really help you stay around in the US like it it's it's not So SSP as long as we are on earth only we are always treated as a temporary worker and I I did find some silent like I think what the term would be like silent racism here and there. but but but they're very subtle and
10:29 You you veterans very little and and one of the other issue is when I initially came to Lewis my first H1B stamp was about 6 months so I had to go through reward so back then the company I worked with I I did do not want to get into the specifics but essentially something happened with the paperwork and we were not able to produce the right set of documents and that led to my first denial. so when the denial happened I was on sort of like what do we say about borrowed time essentially when H1B is pending we are allowed to stay for about I think 240 or 270 days. so during this period I was allowed to stay and work but as soon as
11:31 The denial came in I had to leave immediately otherwise the number of days that I stay back would would essentially end up being unlawful unlawful period of stay. So I packed my bags. I sold off or sold off or kept some things around with with family or family that I had back then and and I had to move back. so so this was sort of a unwanted or no nobody has to go through this situation. but but I went through it and and essentially essentially I had to look I I found a job found another job in India.
12:21 But unfortunately the work experience with that company did not farewell and after 3 months or so my H1 H1B approval came in after after the company that did not file the paperwork probably they filed it properly it took some time and I was back in the US. So >> thank you very much for sharing that. I know it's so much uncertain with H1B and then the temporary like how things can change so quickly with some of these temporary visas. Yeah, thanks for sharing that. >> one other thing I wanted to share on H1B is so once we are on H1B if if if one's goal is to go for a dream badge the current weight time is about 190 or 150 years. So, so it it doesn't matter like right now I would not
13:24 Recommend anyone to switch to US if they are if their goal is to switch to a country and stay there and become a citizen. So if your goal is that it's not recommended right now.
13:40 >> Yeah, thanks for sharing that. So let's switch gears and talk about the planning. so once you made a decision about moving to India how long it took for you to actually act on it? What was the planning? You know from a financial side, career side like anything that you can talk I think that would be very helpful. >> sure. So so prior to moving we were looking at a lot of a lot of Instagram res wherein people were posting their journey back to India. We were thinking of make shipping our stuff back but then but then it did not make much financial sense. So many of the things that we have in the states we can buy in India. The only reason you would ship like I would shift something back is if it had some sentimental value or something that I wanted to hold on to. for example like kids comics books or
14:42 Things like that. in my case I brought with me my kids balance bike which the options for balance bike weren't great in India. So that's why we shipped our shipped the one that my kid was already using and my kid was very sentimental about selling selling all the things. She was like she was crying saying why what are you doing to my home? Why are you tearing everything up? But but yeah, essentially we we thought about moving back within a time frame of about 3 months. it took us about 3 months to sell everything off and also rent our existing home. We we we thought of keeping it around for maybe kids
15:42 Future. So, so, so that that was one reason for keeping around the property as in the Christmas property and and during this transition period the biggest challenge was internal transfer internal transfer was slower than usual. So my my wife and kids had to fly home early and and many of our friends and my sister has helped around with with staying at the places while while all of this was going on and I'm thankful to thankful to all my friends who had helped me with the move. Got it. So, so yeah, essentially friends and if if you wanted to keep things around that that were the biggest challenges.
16:38 >> Got it. And in terms of the place
16:41 Where you want to move to in India, I know you mentioned about you know grandparents, kids is one aspect but you also mentioned about the internal transfer was the city that you moved to allowed both of them to happen like the internal transfer like you had an office here where you moved to and all that stuff. So my office had a sorry my company had office in Bangalore but I specifically requested as a special case to allow me to fully work from Hyderabad. >> So there were some compromises like I had to fly into Bangalore once in a while like as required or monthly monthly once. So, so that was that was one thing that I had to compromise on but otherwise the company allowed me to work work from Hyderabad and and necessity have been working from our parents place.
17:38 >> Yeah. >> we are thinking of renting out a place somewhere nearby. The main reason is because the kids are not getting enough outdoor activity. So the reason being my parents and my in-laws have been in and around hydraulics since a long time and these are like single family homes and not enough public play areas are around. So we were thinking of renting out renting out a space which had kids play areas and some other activities like pool or some some place where kids could bike freely right now with the traffic and and the biking culture in India it's slightly risky for younger children to bike around.
18:38 So so yeah that's >> yeah just I think what that note I mean I know there is a beautiful cycle track on the western part of the hydrobad again it's not completely secluded from the road but I mean it is a dedicated track just for the cycles just for the viewers you know just so that they are aware of it. so how old were the kids at the time of relocation? >> So my kids were four and four and two. >> Okay. it it was a challenge. so essentially I was tasked with looking after and my my wife played a key role in moving everything and sending out all the prints on Facebook marketplace. So so yeah my my wife has been a big help to the move.
19:27 >> Got it. And how is the family adjusting in India right now? everyone has adjusted well. the the only thing my kid complains about is not having enough friends. I I guess one of the reason is we just moved and it takes a while to build a community. >> And the other thing is not not enough outdoor time. That's the big that's the other biggest complaint. But but apart from that she's loving time with grandparents and even my younger child too. >> Got it. And how has been your work
20:06 Life balance here in India? I know now it's been maybe you know few months that you have been working in India. It's the same company. So just wondering in terms of the work life balance or the work culture when you compare it to you know your your experience in US versus what you are experiencing in >> So my manager change sorry my manager training did not change much I fortunately was able to retain the same manager train and also working with the same same team. the the only change was I the working hours instead of 9 to5 it was 12 to 9. So so around that time I since I'm also working from home I get to help out with household chores and also finish my finish my work and since there's no travel involved it's it's a it's a it's actually a big help.
21:07 So any other advice or any specific insights from your journey that you want to share for people who are considering moving to India? so for people moving to India so if if you have not spent enough time in India I I guess the situation is is the same like the the don't be alarmed if the traffic traffic is skyw that that that has always been a problem and so One improvement that I noticed currently is people are honing lesser. So there is definitely some improvement and and and if if there are any pressing issues like potholes or anything there are ways to complain about it and get things resolved.
22:10 But yeah, apart from that, if if you're planning to move back, think about your like residency like where you plan on staying. think about your kids school like what sort of school you want to send them to. and and yeah, adjust your expectations accordingly, I guess. yeah if if if there is something that I missed touching upon. Yeah. >> Yeah thanks for sharing that. so thanks a lot Ravi for taking the time sharing your journey and being candid with some of the challenges that you have experienced with H1 right I think you know it takes a lot of courage to talk about that in an open platform and good luck with everything and all the best with your journey. once again, thanks a
Why 10 Years Matters: Social Security Credits
Despite all the challenges, Ravi made a strategic decision to stay the full 10 years. The reason? Social Security eligibility.
Social Security for NRIs: Key Facts
This is valuable information for NRIs considering their timeline. If you're at 7-8 years, it might be worth staying to hit the 10-year mark for Social Security eligibility. The official SSA explanation of work credits is here: Social Security retirement credits.
For detailed guidance on claiming Social Security from India, see our article on how Indian citizens can get US Social Security in India.
Planning your return to India?
Understanding your Social Security eligibility, 401(k) options, and tax implications is crucial before making the move.
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