Non-resident Indians or NRIs are trickling back to India due to a variety of reasons.
First, there are now many employment opportunities in this country. There are also more business prospects to explore. Moreover, starting a venture is easier in one’s homeland than overseas.
All these mean you have more income stream options to choose from.
Additionally, nothing compares to the social and cultural life in India. Whether you are single or you have a family, moving back to your homeland means developing a deeper connection with and appreciation for the fascinating and rich culture and history of this country.
Going back to India also means reuniting with the family you left behind. It means getting the chance to be closer to your parents and enabling your children to know and develop a deeper bond with their grandparents.
Lastly, if you are in or nearing your golden years, retiring in India can prove to be a great idea. You can enjoy your retirement with your family in a place full of memories and where you are happy. Additionally, the savings you have will allow you to enjoy a better, more comfortable lifestyle.
Also Read: 5 Best ways to make money online in India
Experiencing a Smooth Transition
Whatever your reason is for relocating to India, experiencing a hassle-free move and enjoying your life here as quickly as possible will depend greatly on how well you prepare for your move.
If you want to go through a smooth, successful move back to India, you will do well to follow these tips:
1- Start planning early.
Preparing well for your big move can make a huge difference in the whole relocation process. Due to this reason, as soon as you have decided to go back to India, start planning for it.
Begin planning at least six months before your target departure date. Stay organised by creating a to-do list and a schedule of when to complete them.
Get a notebook and use it to create your to-do and packing lists and for writing down reminders and other important notes.
There are also moving apps you can download which you can use for the same purposes.
Keep in mind that the more time you put into planning your move, the better. Procrastinating and leaving things to the last minute can cause you to make plenty of mistakes and feel more anxious and stressed out.
2- Decide what to do with your possessions.
When you decide to move back to India, taking all your belongings with you is never a smart idea. You will end up tiring and stressing yourself out from packing all your items and spending a fortune on shipping them.
You, therefore, have to think about what to do with all your current possessions.
Start by deciding what to do with your house or apartment. You can sell or rent it out. List down the pros and cons of both options carefully and choose the one that can give you more advantages.
Next, downsize your possessions. Go to each room and organise all items according to the ones you want to keep, sell, donate, or throw away.
A simple rule of thumb you can follow when organising your items is to give away, sell, or donate anything that you have not used in the past six months.
Also Read: 6 exciting methods to find your purpose in life
Additionally, put items that are broken, unusable, and unsightly in the bin immediately unless they have sentimental value.
This important preparation step can help you in various ways, from packing to the actual move.
3- Check your documentation.
Making sure you have all the necessary documents you need to move back to India is a key step in the relocation process. Forgetting to check the expiration date of your passport, for instance, can delay your travel plans and give you a massive headache.
Aside from your passport, ensure you store all your other important documents, such as your birth certificates, educational credentials, licenses, and tax information in a safe place. Keep them in a single folder or envelope so that you can avoid misplacing them, and retrieve them quickly when necessary.
Also, keep electronic and hard copies of all these vital documents so that you have something you can use if you lose the original papers.
Lastly, avoid shipping these documents during the actual move. Pack them in your luggage or carry-on to reduce the risk of losing or damaging them.
4- Discontinue all utilities and services.
Since you are leaving your home, avoid paying for services and utilities you won’t be using by discontinuing or unsubscribing from them before you go.
Get in touch with your service providers to know the process of discontinuing or unsubscribing from them. You may be required to do this a month or several weeks before your departure, so get all the details and follow the terms.
Also Read: Do You Want To Have A Strong Relationship? Find Out How
You also need to settle all bills, so ensure you do all these before your departure.
However, do not cancel your health insurance yet. Find out if you are still covered if you move to India and use it to avoid having to look for another coverage, which can eat up time that you could otherwise devote to more important tasks.
5- Stay organised when packing.
Once you are ready to pack, ensure you have the right packing supplies. This means having the correct number, sizes, and types of boxes and other storage solutions, packing tape, bubble wrap, markers, and other essentials.
Follow the correct process for packing clothes, household items, fragile décor, and all the items you are shipping. You can read articles or watch videos to get some recommended steps and tips.
Don’t forget to seal all boxes carefully to keep the items inside safe and secure. Also, label them properly to avoid losing them and to have an easier time unpacking them.
If you don’t have time to pack your items, you can get help from your movers if you have already hired them.
6- Prepare your finances.
Make sure you also have your finances in order before moving.
If you don’t have a bank account in India, get in touch with your preferred bank’s representative and find out if you can open one online.
When you have a savings account in India, you can transfer money that you can access any time.
Also Read: Who’s Financial Advisor? How to choose a best Financial Planner?
You can also send money to a family member or friend you trust and have them keep it for you until you get back to India.
Finally, check with your current bank or provider if you can use your debit or credit card in India and find out how you can deposit money or pay the monthly bills.
As an additional tip, book your movers as soon as possible. Make sure they are reliable and can help you with your big relocation to India throughout the entire process.
Hiring your movers early and scheduling your relocation as soon as possible also means you can choose the best day and time for your actual move. You won’t have to worry about your service provider not being available on your preferred moving date.
AUTHOR BIO
Sushma Salian is the Business Head, Asset Mobility of Writer Relocations, India’s premier mobility services company that handles all types of moves: International & Domestic Relocations, Office Relocations, Commercial Move Management Services, Hospitality Logistics, Fine Arts Logistics, Orientation Services, and Storage Solutions. Headquartered in Mumbai, Writer Relocations has a presence in 7 countries and operates in more than 190 countries.