An Indian man residing in the United States recently turned to Reddit to seek advice on whether he could survive in India with Rs 6 crore in savings and no job. The individual, who holds a Green Card Employment Authorization Document (EAD), explained that he had been affected by recent tech layoffs and is now planning for the worst-case scenario: moving back to India.
Reddit User's Dilemma
The Redditor, who applied for a Green Card and has employment authorization, stated, "Got hit by the recent tech layoffs. I'm on a GC EAD with about a 5-month financial runway. Given the current job market, I'm trying to plan for the worst-case scenario: moving back to India." He highlighted two major concerns: his house, which he does not want to sell at a loss, and his children, who do not know any Indian language and would face significant challenges if relocated to India.
He further asked, "Has anyone transitioned kids into middle school in India without language skills? And is it worth sticking out the 5 months to try and find a US role on an EAD, or should I start prepping the move now? Can I survive with 6 cr in India without any job?"
Green Card EAD vs H-1B
Unlike H-1B visa holders, who have 60 days to leave the US after losing their job, Green Card EAD holders do not have a specific window. They can remain in the US as long as their I-485 application remains pending, is not denied, and they continue to meet the requirements of their Green Card category.
Divided Opinions on Reddit
The responses to the Reddit post were mixed. Some users believed that returning to India with Rs 6 crore and no immediate job would not be a problem, while others argued that the Redditor still has enough time in the US to find another job and should not leave the Green Card queue. However, there was consensus among social media users that Rs 6 crore is sufficient to live in India.
One user commented, "6 crore with no debt? You'll be fine lol. That's way more than what most families retire with in India. Honestly, the bigger issue here doesn't sound like money. It sounds like uprooting two kids right before middle school and figuring out the house situation. I'd probably use those 5 months and keep searching. You're on an EAD, which removes one headache employers usually have. No reason to rush into a move if you don't have to. Also, kids adapt faster than we give them credit for. Plenty of CBSE schools have kids who barely know Hindi, especially in bigger cities. I wouldn't stress about that part too much."
Financial Considerations
With Rs 6 crore, the Redditor could potentially live comfortably in India, as this amount exceeds the retirement savings of most Indian families. However, the decision involves more than just finances, including the children's education and the housing situation in the US.
The Redditor's dilemma reflects the challenges faced by many Indian professionals in the US during the current job market, especially those navigating the Green Card process. The advice from the Reddit community serves as a valuable perspective for anyone considering a similar move.
