Moving Logistics & First 90 Days
Shipping, customs, arrival checklists, and settling in during the first 90 days back in India.
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Rising Hate Crimes Against Indians Abroad: What’s Really Happening
Hey, Mani here. Over the last year, the question that keeps landing in my inbox has changed. It used to be about taxes, schools, or shipping containers. Now I get messages like, “Mani, is it still safe for my family there?” and “Should we just come home before things get worse?” A father in New […]
Read guideHow to Keep Your US Phone Number Working in India (Using Google Voice or Tello)
When I was packing up to move back in 2017, one small worry kept nagging me. My US phone number. That number was tied to my bank, my credit cards, my old work logins, even my Amazon account. I kept thinking – if I let it go, how will I get those OTP codes? How […]
Read guideHow NRIs Can Get Aadhar in 2025: A Complete Guide
Hey folks! Mani here. Remember my first week back in India in 2017? I was jetlagged, confused, and standing in an Aadhaar enrollment center in Kochi with a stack of documents. The officer looked at my US driver’s license and chuckled. “Sir, this won’t work here.” My son whispered, “Dad, I thought you researched this?” […]
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All 22 in Moving Logistics & First 90 Days
Rising Hate Crimes Against Indians Abroad: What’s Really Happening
Hey, Mani here. Over the last year, the question that keeps landing in my inbox has changed. It used to be about taxes, schools, or shipping containers. Now I get messages like, “Mani, is it still safe for my family there?” and “Should we just come home before things get worse?” A father in New […]
How to Keep Your US Phone Number Working in India (Using Google Voice or Tello)
When I was packing up to move back in 2017, one small worry kept nagging me. My US phone number. That number was tied to my bank, my credit cards, my old work logins, even my Amazon account. I kept thinking – if I let it go, how will I get those OTP codes? How […]
How NRIs Can Get Aadhar in 2025: A Complete Guide
Hey folks! Mani here. Remember my first week back in India in 2017? I was jetlagged, confused, and standing in an Aadhaar enrollment center in Kochi with a stack of documents. The officer looked at my US driver’s license and chuckled. “Sir, this won’t work here.” My son whispered, “Dad, I thought you researched this?” […]
Customs Duty at Indian Airports – NRI Guide (2026)
“Mani, I’m flying into Mumbai next week with a new iPhone, some gold earrings for my mother, and two bottles of whiskey. Am I going to get stopped at customs?” I get some version of this question almost every single day in our WhatsApp community. And honestly? I don’t blame anyone for being confused. Indian […]
How to Cancel US Green Card When Moving Back to India: Complete Guide
“I’ve had my green card for 6 years. We’ve decided to move back to India. Do I just… give it back?” A member posted this in our WhatsApp community last year. Within minutes, over 40 messages flooded in. Some said “just let it expire.” Some said “you MUST formally surrender it.” One person said “be […]
How to Apply for Driving License After Returning to India
I still remember the panic I felt three days after landing in Bangalore. My cousin handed me his car keys and said, “Take the car, go explore the city.” I looked at my expired Indian license from 2012 and my US driver’s license, and realized I had no idea if I could legally drive. Sound […]
How to Survive as an NRI in USA
From Curry Cravings to Credit Scores. Ah, America – the land of Hollywood, skyscrapers, and more burgers than you can shake a stick at. As a newly minted NRI in the vast expanse of the United States, you might feel a bit like Raj from ‘The Big Bang Theory’: occasionally lost, frequently hungry for mom’s […]
Traveling to India as an American Citizen: Visa Process and Requirements
My younger son was born in California. He’s a US citizen. So every time we plan a trip – or when friends in our WhatsApp community ask about this – I know exactly how confusing it can get. “Do I need a visa?” “Can I just get it online?” “What about my kid’s passport?” These […]
Can NRIs Start a Company in India – Full Process
A thousand miles away from the homeland, as you traverse through the hustle and bustle of foreign lands, there’s a piece of you that yearns for a connection with India. You may be an NRI (Non-Residential Indian), but your Indian roots pull you back towards opportunities that the burgeoning Indian economy presents. One such opportunity […]
How to Make the Decision to Return to India
Hello, my dear NRI comrades! If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you’re pondering, debating, and probably losing sleep over that one massive question: “Should we move back to India?” As someone who’s been down that road, I’m here to help. This piece is not a magic 8-ball, but it will, hopefully, give you and your […]
Best Places to Visit in India: A Guide to Exploring India for the Returning NRI
Ah, dear returning NRIs, we know that your heart yearns for the sights, sounds, and smells of your motherland. But let’s face it, you’ve been away for quite some time, and you’re probably wondering what to expect when you dive headfirst into the ocean of sensory overload that is India. Fear not, for we have […]
Should you take your electronics back when returning to India?
Picture this: you’re an NRI who’s finally decided to pack up and head back to India for good. You’ve spent years in the land of the free, where electronics are cheap and plentiful, and you’ve amassed a collection of gadgets that would make the most tech-savvy person envious. Take electronics back to India? But now […]
25+ Best Places to Visit in USA
With so many amazing places to explore in the United States, it can be difficult to narrow down your travel destinations. From the spectacular scenery of national parks and historic landmarks to trendy cities and towns, there are endless options for travel enthusiasts. Here are some of the best places to visit in the USA […]
How to Lock Social Security Number – Everything To Know
Locking your social security number is one of the most basic steps you can take to protect your money. Learn how to do it correctly, and why you should lock your number. Why should you lock your Social Security Number? For NRIs and immigrants, locking your Social Security Number (SSN) is a critical step in […]
Best USA to India Shipping Services when Returning to India
So, you’re an NRI planning to relocate your entire household from the USA to India. Moving a large shipment overseas is no small task—it involves careful coordination with a reliable shipping company, detailed packing, customs navigation, and door-to-door service. To make your move as seamless as possible, you need an international shipping company that specializes […]
Insurance for Visitors to USA: The Essential Guide
If you’re planning on welcoming visitors from overseas to the United States, it’s essential to make sure they’re properly insured. Visitors to the USA are often surprised to find that their regular health insurance doesn’t cover them while they’re in the States. And if they get sick or injured while here, the cost of medical […]
Shipping to India from USA – Guide for Returning NRI Families
When we were preparing to move back from the US in 2017, I stood in our living room and looked around at everything we’d accumulated over the years. A sectional sofa we loved. A 75-inch TV. My wife’s KitchenAid mixer. The kids’ bikes. Bookshelves full of books. A garage full of tools. A guest bedroom […]
How to Send Money from India to USA – Complete Guide
Money transfers between India and the United States can be complicated. There are a number of different options available, and it can be hard to know which one is best for you. In this article, we compare the different options and provide some tips to help you make the best decision to send money from […]
Google Pay International Transfer for NRIs – Full Guide
So, you’re an NRI looking to send money via Google Pay, or maybe you’re back in India and trying to use it for cross-border transactions. Whatever your situation, transferring money internationally can feel a bit complex, especially with concerns around fees, exchange rates, and delivery times. Luckily, Google Pay now offers international transfer options, allowing […]
How to Renew Indian Passport in USA
It was 11:30 PM in California. I was booking flights to India for an emergency trip. My mom had been hospitalized. I needed to be on a plane within the week. Then I looked at my passport. Six months to expiry. Most airlines won’t let you fly internationally with less than six months of validity. […]
United Airlines USA to India Flights: What US NRIs Should Know (2026)
Hey there! Mani here. When I was planning my move back to India in 2017, figuring out the best flights was one of those decisions that seemed simple but had so many layers. Do I book direct? Do I wait for a sale? What about those overnight connections? Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of […]
How to Ship TV to India
True story. When I moved back to India, I plugged my US Xbox straight into an Indian wall socket. Puff. Smoke. Done. That was an expensive lesson. And it taught me to be more careful about bringing electronics to India. TVs, in particular, are one of the most asked-about items in our BacktoIndia WhatsApp groups. […]
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