US-based NRI explains why most Indians abroad find it difficult to return home

A video by US-based NRI Nitin has gone viral on social media after he explained why many Indians who move abroad never return to India permanently. His comments have sparked a major discussion among overseas Indians and people in India about life abroad, financial goals, and the challenges of returning home.

In the video, Nitin said that many Indians leave the country with a clear plan. They hope to work abroad, earn a large amount of money, build savings, and eventually return to India to live comfortably.

Nitin, who has been living in the United States for about 15 years, said, “People think they will save ₹5–8 crore and then return to India. But after living abroad for many years, this becomes next to impossible. Every time you reach a target, you set a new one.”

He added that even people working in jobs such as McDonald’s, DoorDash or Uber can earn around $3,000 (₹3 lakh) to $3,500 (₹3.5 lakh) a month. He also said, “Now, if that same person is working at a McDonald's in India, how much will they get? They will get ₹25,000 or ₹30,000. How can a person manage their expenses with 30,000 rupees?”

The video quickly attracted attention online, especially among the NRI community. Many overseas Indians agreed with Nitin's views and shared their own experiences in the comments section.

Many users argued that even savings of ₹5-₹8 crore may not be enough for long-term financial security today. They mentioned rising property prices, increasing healthcare expenses, and growing cost of private education as major concerns.

Although living expenses in the US are high, including rent, health insurance, transportation, and utility bills, many workers are still able to save a significant amount of money. Some also send money back home to support their families in India. Nitin pointed out that similar jobs in India generally offer much lower salaries. Because of this, many people feel that returning to India would reduce their income and savings potential. 

Nitin's viral video has once again highlighted an important question faced by millions of Indians living overseas: whether the financial opportunities available abroad are enough to outweigh the emotional, cultural, and family connections that draw many people back to India.