Whatever your reasons for moving back to India, there are a number of things that you should consider doing prior to moving
Just as you would carefully plan your move abroad, you should also plan your move back to India. While you will probably have familiarity with your home country, and a network of friends and family, there are still challenges to overcome. With this in mind, we have prepared a list of 9 helpful tips for moving back to India.
1. Plan your move early
It pays to plan out your move as early as you can. This includes considering your living situation, activities, job, community, and just about anything else you can think of. By planning early, you can make sure that the move goes well, and you can settle back into your home country easy. Planning early also gives you a chance to prepare financially before you start the repatriation process. Spending more money on freight services generally means that you will get a freight carrier that offers better quality and safety. You will also need to make sure that you have enough money to support yourself while you settle in.
2. Seek help if you need it
If you need help, be sure to seek it. There are many simple options available that help take some of the load off your shoulders. For example, if you are moving back home for health reasons, it pays to check your international health insurance coverage. Often repatriation services or medical evacuation services are included, and this will greatly reduce the costs of moving. There are also specialist companies that offer repatriation services. If you do decide to use one of these companies, check the credibility before signing into anything. While these services can be greatly beneficial, they can also complicate the moving process as well.
3. Ensure that you have the proper documentation
Something that a lot of people tend to overlook when moving back to India is the paperwork. A good idea is to prepare and keep important documents such as educational certificates, birth certificates, and licences. Ideally you have easy access to these, so that you can retrieve them when required. Another good idea is to keep these documents with you, as opposed to sending them with freight carriers. If your belongings do get lost while moving, you will still have these important documents safely stowed away. For additional peace of mind, you can take a scanned copy of important documents relating to your years as an expat as well. These might include immigration letters, company contracts, and tax information.
4. Don’t forget about services and utilities
Don’t forget about services and utilities in your current country of residence. Things such as electricity, phone plans, and visas all need to be disconnected. Sometimes it takes a while for these to be disconnected so be sure to take this into consideration. After you have done this, you need to thing about services and utilities in India. If you can set up accounts online, you smooth out the process and minimize the hassle for when you do arrive. Some things such as international health insurance shouldn’t be cancelled until the move is completed, so make sure you only cancel what you need to.
5. Make sure you have your finances in order
Moving assets and cash back to India can be difficult, however it doesn’t necessarily has to be that way. Money transfer services such as OrbitRemit provide a simple and easy way to transfer your wealth. All the tedious paperwork is taken care of, and all you need to do is specify how much you want to pay, and where to. If you do not have a bank account in India, you will need to open one, or remit money to a friend or family member that you trust.
6. Be accepting of change
To prepare yourself for culture shock when you return home, you need to acknowledge that things will have changed. Regardless of how long you have been away, things that you remember will be different. There may be different shops, road layouts, and facilities that were not there when you left. This is often amplified by your experiences abroad, so be sure to come with an open mind.
7. Prepare for different responses
People may not welcome you back how you expected. There is often a stigma associated with people who move away and come back at a later date. Some people may be negative and critical of your move back, however this will not last long.A few weeks after moving back to India, it will be like you never left in the first place.
8. Allow time to settle back in
An important phase in the repatriation process involves allowing time to settle back in. It pays to allow yourself a few weeks to get used to your new life before you start or look for work. This will ensure that you are not overwhelmed by your new surroundings. If you are repatriating with family, this is even more important. Children often take longer to adapt to new situations, so allowing this time is greatly advantageous. Try to establish a routine to ease them into the change.
9. Stay positive when moving back to India
Lastly, it is important to stay positive throughout the entire moving process. This helps with your own well-being, and helps make the transition easier. Embrace the change and you will begin to enjoy it.