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  1. Home
  2. Return to India: Decision & Planning
  3. How to Return to Bangalore from USA- Checklist for NRIs
Return to India: Decision & Planning
??
  1. 1Deciding
  2. 2Getting ready
  3. 3Making the move
  4. 4Life after landing

You're in the deciding phase — figuring out if, when and how a move back works for your family.

Start your Return Plan

How to Return to Bangalore from USA- Checklist for NRIs

Mani Karthik·July 31, 2023·Updated November 23, 2024·4 min read·Deciding

Reviewed by returnees. Cross-checked with RBI, Income Tax Department and MEA. Editorial policy.

Content Index
  • Step 1: Kiss Your American Comforts Goodbye
  • Step 2: Do Your Paperwork, Like, Yesterday
  • Step 3: Find a Place to Crash
  • Step 4: Get to Know Your Traffic Jams
  • Step 5: Find a Job (Unless You’re a Millionaire)
  • Step 6: Embrace the Chaos
  • Step 7: Create Your Own Namma Bengaluru Experience
  • FAQs

Let’s get something straight here. Bangalore isn’t just a city.

It’s an emotion, an experience wrapped in mouthwatering dosas, aromatic filter coffee, and traffic jams so chaotic, they make a Formula 1 race look like a Sunday drive. It’s Silicon Valley served with a generous side of sambar. And you, my NRI friend, are thinking about coming back to this spicy bowl of culture and code.

Good for you! So, buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a wild ride.

Step 1: Kiss Your American Comforts Goodbye

First thing on your checklist? Say your tearful goodbyes to Taco Bell, your favorite Netflix shows streamed without buffering, and snow (if you’re into that sort of thing).

No, no, don’t cry.

You’re moving to the land of delectable biryanis and lightning-fast Jio internet, remember? And snow? Who needs snow when you have Bangalore’s eternal spring?

Read next in this topic

Repatriation of Funds – What Returning NRIs Should Know

Let’s demystify repatriation of funds for returning NRIs. Are you a Non-Residential Indian (NRI) planning to shift back to your motherland after years of working abroad? If yes, you’ve probably started chalking out your return plans. Amidst the excitement of returning home and the anxiety of wrapping up your life abroad, one crucial aspect that […]

Read next

Step 2: Do Your Paperwork, Like, Yesterday

Welcome to the world of endless paperwork, my friend.

Get your PAN card, Aadhar card, and OCI card sorted before you set foot on Indian soil.

And while you’re at it, close any unnecessary accounts in the US, transfer your funds, and brace yourself for the convoluted game of 4D chess that is Indian bureaucracy.

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On The Fence? Get Clarity

Not sure about returning? Get your readiness score.

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Step 3: Find a Place to Crash

Unless you’re planning to live out of your suitcase under Bangalore’s beautiful trees, you’re going to need a place to live. Start your house hunting early.

Remember, in Bangalore, you aren’t just buying a house. You’re buying a lifetime membership to the “I Also Hate Bangalore Traffic” club.

So, choose wisely, and preferably somewhere close to your workplace. Here’s more on how to settle in Bangalore.

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NRI Status Checker

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Step 4: Get to Know Your Traffic Jams

Speaking of traffic, did we mention Bangalore’s traffic? Oh, we did?

Well, it’s worth mentioning again because trust us, it’s going to become a significant part of your life.

Get yourself a reliable vehicle, or better yet, learn to master the art of Ola and Uber, and get ready to become intimately familiar with the back of other people’s cars.

Step 5: Find a Job (Unless You’re a Millionaire)

Unless you’ve hit the jackpot or are secretly a royal, you’ll need to find a job. Bangalore is a tech hub, so if you speak the language of Python, Java, or C++, you’re in luck.

Otherwise, don’t despair; Bangalore’s job market is as diverse as its food.

So spruce up your LinkedIn profile, and start networking like your life depends on it.

Keep reading
Financial Checklist for Returning NRIs: Before and After the Move (2026)A few years ago, a member in our WhatsApp group – a senior engineer moving back from Seattle – told me something that stuck. “Mani, I spent three months researching the best school for my daughter. I spent three hours on my bank accounts. Guess which one caused problems?” His NRE account got frozen. He […]10 Best Gated Communities in BangaloreAh, Bangalore! The city that gifts us a climate to die for, filter coffee that can resurrect the dead, and traffic jams that make the dead wish they’d stayed dead. Over the years, it has morphed into India’s tech haven, a vibrant tapestry of cultures, an urban kaleidoscope. You, a Non-Resident Indian, perhaps mesmerized by […]

Step 6: Embrace the Chaos

This is the most crucial step. Bangalore is chaotic and messy and loud and absolutely beautiful. Embrace it with open arms.

Learn to haggle with the autowalas, indulge in midnight masala dosas at CTR, get lost in the labyrinth of Commercial Street, and fall in love with the rhythm of the city.

Deciding → Getting ready

Ready for the getting ready stage?

Continue with our Banking guide.

Explore

Step 7: Create Your Own Namma Bengaluru Experience

Finally, remember that this is your journey. Your Bangalore.

So, make it what you want it to be. Whether you’re a pub crawler, a passionate techie, or a quiet nature lover, Bangalore has something for everyone. Go out there, and create your own Namma Bengaluru experience.

Moving back to India, especially to a city as vibrant and dynamic as Bangalore, is not just about logistical preparation. It’s about mental preparation.

So, get ready to embark on this incredible journey with a heart full of excitement, a head full of dreams, and a belly ready for some of the most delicious food on the planet.

Welcome home, buddy!

FAQs

Do I need to have an Indian bank account before moving to Bangalore?
Not necessarily, but it’s a good idea to set one up as soon as you arrive.

Is the cost of living high in Bangalore?
Compared to other major Indian cities, Bangalore’s cost of living is on the higher side, but it’s still much lower compared to major US cities.

Is it easy to find a job in Bangalore?
The city’s robust economy offers numerous job opportunities, particularly in the tech sector.

Is traffic really that bad in Bangalore?
In one word: yes. But with proper planning and the right mindset, it’s manageable.

What’s the weather like in Bangalore?
One of the best things about Bangalore is its pleasant weather, characterized by mild winters and summers, and frequent rain showers.

Is Bangalore a good city for families?
Absolutely! With numerous good schools, parks, and family-friendly activities, Bangalore is a great place for families.

What is the healthcare like in Bangalore?
Bangalore has some of the best healthcare facilities in India, with state-of-the-art hospitals and well-qualified doctors.

Is it easy to fit into Bangalore’s culture?
Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city with a diverse, welcoming population. It’s easy to fit in if you approach it with an open mind.

What are the schooling options in Bangalore?
There are plenty of excellent schools following different curriculums, including CBSE, ICSE, state board, and international baccalaureate.

What’s the food like in Bangalore?
Delicious! From mouthwatering street food to gourmet restaurants, Bangalore’s food scene is diverse and delectable.

Welcome to Bangalore, you brave, adventurous soul. Let the chaos, curry, and coding begin!

Written by

Mani Karthik

Mani Karthik

Founder, BackToIndia · Returnee since 2016

Mani Karthik is an entrepreneur who moved back to India in 2016 after nearly a decade living and working in the US and the Middle East. He started BackToIndia to help other NRIs navigate the move — banking, taxes, schooling, careers and the everyday reality of resettling in India.

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Where to next

Continue Return to India: Decision & PlanningRepatriation of Funds – What Returning NRIs Should KnowTrack it in the appStart your Return PlanSave your notes, timeline and decisions in one place.Ask other returneesJoin the Deciding communityReal Q&A with people at your stage of the move.
How to Settle in Bangalore – Finding a Good PlaceRepatriation of Funds – What Returning NRIs Should Know