For many Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), the return home from years spent overseas is a moment charged with anticipation and anxiety. The comfort of family reunions often collides with the jarring reality of adapting back to Indian life—a phenomenon widely recognized as reverse culture shock. This emotional and psychological whiplash is becoming more pronounced as tightening immigration policies in the UK, Canada, and parts of Europe close off familiar routes for those hoping to build their futures abroad.
Recently, a candid Reddit post encapsulated the struggle. A young professional, having completed a four-year stay in the UK under the Graduate visa, shared, “Ever since I came back, I feel like I don’t want to live in India.” According to Business Today, the user described a persistent restlessness, loneliness, and a gnawing uncertainty about what comes next. The bleakness of the Indian job market and the loss of a close friend who had been a steady companion overseas only compounded these feelings.
The experience isn’t unique. As reported by Business Today, others chimed in with stories of their own: “I also moved back after six years in Europe. I am missing everything—clean air, water, open spaces and what not.” Another returnee echoed the sentiment, but offered hope: “I moved back from the UK a year ago. Quality of life here is not the same, but what helped was trying to recreate a similar lifestyle in India—moving to a metro, finding new friends, and pursuing hobbies. It doesn’t match completely, but it helps. Meanwhile, save money, gain experience, and once the time is right, you can move abroad again.”
This chorus of voices highlights a growing reality for young Indians. The dream of settling abroad, once buoyed by relatively open immigration systems, is now a distant hope for many. As the Reddit poster lamented, “The job market here feels terrible, and I can’t even focus on figuring out what to do next. I’ve been constantly searching for options to go back abroad, but most UK visa routes are now closed to me.”
The emotional toll is real and raw. The same Reddit user described slipping “into depression day by day. Even in my own home with family around, I feel restless and disconnected.” The sense of being torn between two worlds—one that feels like home but is now out of reach, and another that should be familiar but feels alien—can be overwhelming. “I keep thinking maybe I should find opportunities in Europe where I can live more comfortably,” the user wrote, but admitted, “I’m stuck in indecision and overthinking. Starting from scratch in a new country feels difficult.”
Other Redditors responded with empathy and practical advice. One pointed out, “It’s just been 2 weeks, it’s natural. If you would have moved back from some village college in Nagpur, you would have still felt the same as you are feeling now after returning from the UK. But a couple of emotional weeks is fine, get a hold on your life, find a job or figure out whatever you want to do and just start working on that.”
Another user emphasized the importance of social connections: “I think people matter a lot—wherever you are. While you try and figure out your plans to move abroad and how feasible they are, also put some effort in meeting like-minded people who will show you how to enjoy life where you are. Don’t deal with this alone. India can be a lot of fun with the right set of friends and social set up.”
Some shared stories of resilience and eventual success. One commenter recounted their own journey: “I faced this back in 2018, when I had to move back to India after 5 years in USA (H1b visa not picked). I had mentally prepared to settle in India, but within a month of landing I decided that I could not take it. I started preparations to apply for Canada PR, and immigration to Canada at that time was easy because the CRS scores were very low. I was able to land in Canada within a year.”
Practical coping strategies were a recurring theme. Suggestions included shifting one’s mindset to view time abroad as an investment in education and personal growth, rather than just a means to immigration. Building a career in India, even if temporarily, was seen as a way to regain direction. Others advised recreating aspects of the overseas lifestyle in India—moving to a metropolitan area, seeking out new friendships, and pursuing hobbies that once brought joy. One user recommended, “Try to focus on small daily goals, meeting old friends, exploring new hobbies, or applying to a few jobs each day. That can slowly build routine and purpose again. If moving abroad is what you truly want, start planning it step by step, research visa options, build skills that make you eligible, or look for remote jobs with relocation chances.”
But for many, the core challenge remains: how to reconcile nostalgia for a life left behind with the realities of home. The double bind is stark—on one hand, the longing for clean air, open spaces, and the relative predictability of Western systems; on the other, the frustration of navigating what can feel like a slower, more chaotic environment at home, all while facing job market uncertainties and shifting immigration landscapes. According to Business Today, the tightening of immigration policies in the UK, Canada, and Europe is forcing many to reconsider their long-term plans and adapt to circumstances they never anticipated.
Despite these hurdles, there is a thread of resilience running through the stories. The willingness to seek advice, to share vulnerabilities, and to help each other cope is itself a testament to the adaptability of this community. Whether it’s focusing on career growth in India, saving money and building experience, or methodically planning another move abroad, the emphasis is on patience, self-care, and incremental progress.
Ultimately, the journey of returning NRIs is one marked by both loss and opportunity. The comfort of family and familiarity is tempered by the struggle to fit back into a society that has changed—or perhaps, that they have outgrown. For now, many are learning to bridge two worlds, drawing on the lessons of their time abroad to shape a new chapter at home, even as they keep one eye on future possibilities overseas.
As the stories and advice exchanged online suggest, the path forward may not be easy, but it is not one that must be walked alone. With support, perspective, and a willingness to adapt, NRIs returning to India can find ways to rebuild their routines—and, perhaps, rediscover a sense of belonging, wherever they ultimately choose to call home.