This is the guide we point people to first — because most questions about moving back to India from the US eventually touch one of five areas: the decision itself, your money, your paperwork, your physical move, and your first months back. Everything below is organized in the order you'll actually face it.
1. Deciding to move
The decision to move back rarely happens in one conversation. It's usually the accumulation of a dozen smaller signals — a parent's health, a child's schooling, a visa renewal that feels less certain each year.
Give yourself 12+ months where possible. It sounds long, but nearly every mistake in the stories we've collected traces back to compressed timelines.
2. Getting your money ready
This is where the most expensive mistakes happen. Your RNOR (Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident) status can shield foreign income from Indian tax for up to 3 years — but only if you plan your move date and account decisions around it.
3. Documents & paperwork
OCI, PAN, Aadhaar, power of attorney, and account redesignation — the paperwork stack is manageable if sequenced, overwhelming if tackled reactively after landing.
4. Shipping & logistics
Transfer of Residence rules, air vs sea freight, and what to sell vs ship — get quotes 3-6 months before your move, not 3 weeks.
5. The first 90 days
Aadhaar address update, NRO conversion, health insurance activation, and school term start — these are time-sensitive and easy to deprioritize amid the emotional adjustment of settling in.
No need to leave this page — get a rough estimate now.