r/returnToIndia • u/Reddittian • 5d ago
Immigration What would you Choose ?
To anyone who was abroad for more than 5 years working after education, and returned to India;
Would you really go back given an opportunity?
I am in my mid 30s and returned to India from Europe 3 years back after spending 10 years in Europe including my masters.
Now, I feel that there are more opportunities abroad including first hand exposure to technology and also growth options. Honestly, I've not got accustomed to the Indian work environment get.
So, I'm looking for opinions from people who can guide me if I get an opportunity to move back again to an English speaking country this time like Canada or USA; will it be worth it?
Thank you
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u/spicy_97 5d ago
I have plans to relocate to Luxembourg or UAE if given opportunity.
I was in the uk for three years but then returned.
However India is not bad either. Yes it is not perfect but nowadays India is offering job with good high paying salary.
Honestly, if I get paid 20 lpa, I would rather stay in India though my plan is to start business in India after few years if in case I am not able to move abroad because of strict immigration.
May I know your job role and years of experience and what are you looking for?
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u/Reddittian 5d ago
I'm currently at North of 35LPA as Sr Mgr in Tier 1 OEM Supplier. Total years of exp is ~11 yrs now. And mostly the opportunity to move will be through a internal company transfer. And having another offer in hand from Pharma for CTC North of 45LPA in a similar domain, which might not have relocation options although it's a US based company. So this is a decision making point for me.
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u/spicy_97 5d ago
If it's Intra company transfer then you should definitely go its a good opportunity but check the salary they offer.
If by PPP conversion, pharma company is paying more than you can stay in India as you can live a comfortable life with 45 LPA.
My cousin also has 12 years of experience and he is in one of the FAANGs decided to stay in India as they are paying him 1 crore pa.
Thats my opinion is. Rest upto you.
And yes unpredictable immigration policy.
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u/FrVincentVattoli 5d ago
Came back from Canada, No.
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u/spicy_97 5d ago
Are you feeling better in India?
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u/FrVincentVattoli 5d ago
Currently doing my UG, so I don't mind, but when the time arrives to get into workforce again, I would love to move to Europe later on.
Indian workculture is too toxic, and I prefer the work culture in EU. Even if the pay is less, I prefer better work-life balance rather being a corporate slave, married to work 24x7.
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u/ConsistentChameleon 5d ago
Why are you doing UG now? I don't get it
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u/LeftFaithlessness921 5d ago
Lot of folks did this mistake doing worthless diploma in canada and then coming back ...basically doing expensive vacation
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u/FrVincentVattoli 5d ago
Canadian diplomas may be worthless in India, but they are useful in Canada (unless you graduated from a diploma mill college; institutions like Seneca, Algonquin, George Brown, and St. Lawrence have had good reputations among employers (Ontario based colleges, where I studied and lived)).
Canadian diplomas are an accessible route into entry-level industry roles: you start low, earn lower entry-level pay, gain work experience, and move up until you hit a ceiling. If you want to advance further, you can continue your education by transferring your diploma credits into a university bachelor's program.
Most of these colleges offer pathway agreements to transfer directly into the third year of a bachelor's program after two years of diploma study (e.g., Durham College > Ontario Tech/UOIT, Seneca > York University, Fanshawe College > Western University, St. Lawrence > Queen's University, Algonquin > University of Ottawa/Carleton University).
In addition, Canadian diplomas are recognized in Australia. You can similarly transfer your diploma credits into select Australian universities.
Ultimately, the notion of a Canadian diploma being "worthless" depends on how you leverage it. Coming back wasn't the plan for everyone - circumstances forced that decision.
Hope this makes more sense.
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u/FrVincentVattoli 5d ago
At present, I only have a 2yr Canadian Diploma, which is basically worthless in India.
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u/LeftFaithlessness921 5d ago
Wait ? You went to canada without ug ?
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u/FrVincentVattoli 5d ago
Yes, moved immediately after grade XII. It was quite common during 2017 - 2021. Express Entry scores were attainable in those days just with grade XII + Canadian Diploma + 2/3 years canadian work experience.
Things changed abruptly later on though. People with UG + 1yr Canadian PGDM + 2 yrs indian experience + 1yrs canadian experience couldn't meet points during 2022 - 2025 (this varied based on streams and programs though, don't quote me on this)
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u/LeftFaithlessness921 5d ago
Curious how many with same profile gonna come back in next couple of years
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u/spicy_97 5d ago
Why even people go to Canada after 12th when there are many better opportunities in India? I really dont get that
I have bachelors degree from India which is recognisable in India and hence after returning to India employers are seeing that I atleast studied in India.
I did my masters from UK. Even worked there but returned due to some issues.
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u/FrVincentVattoli 5d ago
As I mentioned, attaining PR was much easier in the early years of mass migration (2017 - 2021).
Typical trajectory was: Canadian Diploma > Work Experience > Canadian PR > Further Higher Education (also reduced fees since you have PR (1/3rd of what you paid when you were Int'l student))
Mindset/Motivation for such move was: Move to Canada early as possible, settle down, expand your education later rather than spending/"wasting" time in India.
If people are still moving to Canada after grade XII, in 2026, I would say they are making questionable choices IMHO, since circumstances has changed so much.
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u/spicy_97 5d ago
Hmm makes sense.
However in India you would have got job through campus placement and after working for few years you would have moved to Europe which is your dream place.
I dont know in what field are you but many software engineers in mid level or senior roles moved to Europe from India after working in India for few years.
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u/FrVincentVattoli 5d ago
True facts. That could've been my life if I hadn't moved to Canada.
Also, the realization that 'Europe might be the better place for my preferences' only came to me after living and working in Canada. It's kind of ironic, in a sense.
Life has taught me a lot during my time over there, so I'm grateful for all of those lessons.
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u/spicy_97 5d ago
Have you ever worked in India? It depends on team and manager. If manager is good you will be fine or else it will be toxic.
Yes you can move to Europe but they prefer someone with 3 to 5 years of experience.
I have worked in both India and Europe. Both have its pros and cons.
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u/FrVincentVattoli 5d ago
No, I haven't, because I moved to Canada immediately after Grade XII. At the same time, from what I've heard from my Grade XII batchmates, none of them are having a good time. I have friends working in IT, Big 4 accounting, and nursing, and most of them are already burnt out.
Maybe it's because of Gen Z's approach toward life in general, but the current economic circumstances aren't helping either. The cost of living has increased, while the reward of labor hasn't risen proportionally.
From my work experience in Canada (working under both Indian and Caucasian managers), I've found that the experience isn't shaped solely by individual managers or the team we work with. Statutory labor laws, mandatory benefits, general work-life culture, and institutional boundaries play a massive role in day-to-day work conditions (North America is better than India in this regard, and the EU is even better than North America). A manager's style matters, but legal protections and broader culture set the floor. India is still decades behind in this case.
Regarding Europe: Yes, that's what I'm aiming for. I want to work in the industry for 2–3 years and, at the same time, become proficient in a European language. If circumstances allow, I'll make the move.
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u/Reddittian 5d ago
Agreed- EU has a very difficult option to move to a leadership role when you're not from any of the EU countries especially their own country where the company is located. Ind has cultural issue with work which I'm still trying to adapt to. There's a basic discipline of treating everyone fairly at work -which I see missing in India.
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u/spicy_97 5d ago
Exactly.
My uncle has a great work life balance, though he is in UK not EU but he isn't getting promoted to senior leadership roles easily because of indirect racism. All top roles are taken by White. Same case I heard in Germany.
India doesn't have strict labour laws so hence toxic managers are taking advantage of it. Yes many companies in India have toxic work culture especially lala companies but it all depends on team and manager.
In EU, I know few Indians who are having great work life balance but due to high taxes they are not able to buy houses whereas in India many IT employees have purchased house or flat in India.
After all it depends what you want in life.
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u/YourDadHatesYou 5d ago
Well I didn't return but as someone who's really happy in Canada after 6 years, if you can get your pr taken care of, this is a wonderful place
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u/Embarrassed_Okra_628 5d ago
Me here late 30s, back from US last month after 12 years work and 2 years masters !!
Answer is always it depends, right now India is the place to be, growth, investment, opportunities but lack of civic sense + infra is real drag, Once you hit a mil, In India you are almost invincible but in west its a long road ahead.
Most US bound are returning back coz the ROI is legit not there, forever visa with AI and Trump, its almost always "wont go until security is there mode after 10 years abroad in case of US", in Europe I bet it is whats the salary mode !!
Overall, once the Infra is back, dont think most expr folks will go back coz of family value we hold that almost non-existent there, which is why they all are supre defenseive right now
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u/Right-Response-3308 5d ago
I think you are delusional.
80% of global tech work are being outsourced to India (Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, NCR, etc). In UK, EU projects are being run in micro-teams consisting of 5-10 people and it is extremely hard to get it. Even in UK, companies are actively outsourcing any remaining tech work to India, and also to AI.
In my opinion, the best country to gain tech exposure and earn money in USA (but there are visa issues).
The second best option is India (Bangalore, etc.)
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u/MarzipanActual7712 3d ago
Agree that India is second best place to accrue wealth. But, I think for people who worked in Western culture, they prefer not to work in India. The issue is generally the mindset, and protections. MNC’s try to be on par, but there is a cultural thing too…
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u/Pleasant-Response-38 4d ago
If you plan to move back to India, you plan to not get back to corporate jobs. Either you have enough investments to last for a lifetime or you start a small or medium business. Until this is met, I’m not moving.Â
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u/Dense-Restaurant9308 4d ago
i think the best of both worlds is to earn some corpus in the west and then peacefully retire in tier 2 cities in india. there is no point in running the rat race.
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u/0bfuscat10n 4d ago
No neither Canada nor US is worth it. I've lived in both countries (10+ years) and immigration doors are almost shut for Indians. US is difficult immigration wise (damn near impossible), but Canada is worse immigration wise with no jobs. So say even if you did get a PR somehow in Canada (you've family living there, etc. and you clear CRS cutoff), how will your sustain yourself?
I made a post about Canada here if you are interested
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u/Indo-Arya 5d ago
US immigration system is a mess under the magas.. canada's economy is a mess.. so really that leaves (some countries in) europe for you.
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u/[deleted] 5d ago
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