R2I Dilemma - again

appanna · Post by **appanna** » Fri Dec 15, 2017 10:52 pm

Our background:
Myself, Wife and daughter are GC holders and son is USC (has OCI). We are eligible for USC, but I am not applying. I have been here since 20 years. I am a IT consultant and wife worked for sometime and at present she is not.
We had R2I'ed in 2008 when daughter was starting 1st grade and son was few months old and R2A'ed in 2009; the reason being I had high expectation prior to R2I and did not match; was totally disappointed. Had an opportunity to work again at the old place in US, so R2A'ed after 14 months of stay.

Fast forward; Daughter is studying in 10th grade now and Son in 4th grade. Since last year we (specifically, me) thinking of R2I to B'lore in 2018. Daughter can start in 11th or PUC (as it is called in Karntaka) and Son 5th grade. We all have discussed this, although wife and kids are not excited but they understand the situation. The reason for thinking of R2I are:

1. Colleges are on an average, very expensive here.
2. Single earner, too difficult to manage college expenses.
3. No relatives in US at all.
4. Unfortunately, I did not had great career opportunities in the US; inspite my best efforts. Remained as Consultant.
5. Parents are too old, over 80 years, staying all by themselves in my home town. I am the only son and one sister lives in Mumbai and the other in HYD. My parent's similarly aged close relatives passed away, making them feeling lonely.
6. I do have a fully paid nice 3 bed room apartment in B'lore & a fully paid car.

With all of the above reasons, my thinking is either it is now or never for the R2I. I want to apply for Re-entry permit before R2I; although If we return now, I have no intention of R2A. It is just a comfort factor that our GC will be valid for 2 years.

I am asking member readers to suggest / comment:

1. Whether I am making a wrong decision from kids education perspective?
2. If any members returned after their kids grown, how hard it was to get School / College admission in B'lore and how difficult it was to adjust to the Indian schooling system?
3. If anyone made similar decision, please share your experience and difficulties faced and whether you consider it you made a good decision or not.
4. Given the Aadhar requirement, how difficult it is for OCI kids, since they cannot get the Aadhar?
5. Is it better to return after my daughter completes her High School education here, so she can join to graduate college directly?
6. How hard it is to get job in IT Infrastructure PM category in B'lore?

Thanks,
Appanna

paisawala_sadhu · Post by **paisawala_sadhu** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 2:04 am

apanna

your topmost reason seems to be related to college expenses of your kids and their future.

" Colleges are on an average, very expensive here.
Whether I am making a wrong decision from kids education perspective?"

Here's my take . Your daughter can always take loans, and study in a state college if needed. There will be better chances of being employed ( with a better salary) in US vs India.
If I were you, I would hold on.

If parents etc are a big factor, you can relocate to India later, but your daughter can study here once she enters college.

FlavourFlave · Post by **FlavourFlave** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 7:35 am

appanna;667465 Given the Aadhar requirement, how difficult it is for OCI kids, since they cannot get the Aadhar?

Incorrect. All residents of India are eligible for Aadhaar. Aadhaar is based on residency, not citizenship. In fact, as the Aadhaar card states, "Not proof of citizenship".

The folks at the Aadhaar centre shall certainly kick up a fuss, but after spending six months in India, your daughter should be eligible for the Aadhaar card with her foreign passport.

In general, I am in favour of R2I, the sooner the better, but since your daughter is so close to finishing school, it is better she joins college in India directly. Then again, the two years of schooling she would get in India would be valuable preparation for what lies ahead.

Get in touch with member "Lively", she R2I'd with her husband and adolescent daughter some years ago. She would be able to advise you.

You should be already searching for jobs.

appanna · Post by **appanna** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 7:53 am

when you say "since your daughter is so close to finishing school, it is better she joins college in India directly"; you meant start at 11th grade or PUC?

direstraits88 · Post by **direstraits88** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 10:07 am

appanna;667475when you say "since your daughter is so close to finishing school, it is better she joins college in India directly"; you meant start at 11th grade or PUC?

Your daughter will have a hard time adjusting in 11th grade to state board/CBSE. Also it's unlikely you can get her admitted to one of the "better" PUC colleges as PU classes start in June.

The better option would be to get her into college on NRI quota after finishing 12th in the US.

Do you have a job lined up in India? Having a home in India only takes care of 20% of your expense. If you've been a contracting all along, there are not many opportunities for folks in their 40s in India. And cost of living in Bangalore is not cheap if you consider the school expenses.

Also, I don't understand the "I'm not applying for USC" point of view. Get it first and then move. You may also want to "test the water" by spending the next summer break in India for 3 months.

I've a daughter who started 9th grade in Bangalore in 2015. Though she likes the school and made a tonne of friends, she wants to come back to US for her college. Because all her Indian friends want to go to US/Canada/EU for their education.

TraderJoe1976 · Post by **TraderJoe1976** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 11:47 am

It is better if you take US Citizenship for the following reasons:
Your kids will have better education and career opportunities in USA. The competition in India for IIT / IIM / Medical seats is insane. I do not think that USA raised kids can compete in Indian education environment.
Indian companies force retirement at 55 - 60. In USA, you can work as long as you want so long as your technical skills are good and your brain is in good condition. Plus, after age 67, you get additional $2,800 per month in Social Security in addition to your salary.

FlavourFlave · Post by **FlavourFlave** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 5:15 pm

appanna;667475when you say "since your daughter is so close to finishing school, it is better she joins college in India directly"; you meant start at 11th grade or PUC?

I am not familiar with PUC. We go to college directly after finshing 12th.

direstraits88;667476 The better option would be to get her into college on NRI quota after finishing 12th in the US.

This is what I was thinking of when I said it is better she joins college in India directly.

I don't mean to sound discouraging OP, but you need to think everything through first. Your first R2I has already not worked out. Most people on this forum plan their R2I very meticuolously and even then it does not work out. Why do you think it shall work out this time when your first attempt was a failure?

direstraits88;667476 Also, I don't understand the "I'm not applying for USC" point of view. Get it first and then move.

I don't neccesarily agree with this. I have an emotional attachment to Indian citizenship and so should every Indian. An Indian Passport is not merely a matter of convenience or inconvenice. It is a matter of the heart. We cannot just give up our Indian citizenship as if it is a piece of paper.

cmk786 · Post by **cmk786** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 6:14 pm

I would take USC before R2I. Because in case your R2I fails after few years. You always have the doors open to R2A. After few years if you feel you are fully settled in India. Than if you want you can always easily get Indian citizenship back at any point in life. On the contrary once you loose your chance to reenter USA with your present green card than you are done you can never come back to US. I would think twice before making final decision to R2I because after living in US for 20 years. You yourself will have very hard time to adjust to Indian living standard + on top of it if you do not have good chunk of savings than it makes further hard to survive in India. Especially to your grown up daughter it would be like punishing her to take her to India. She will have extremely hard time to adjust and she may not forgive you to put her in that kind of situation. If you have substantial savings and taking with you good chunk of money than it may to some extent make your R2I process smooth. Otherwise I have a feeling you will have very tough time in India. Having said that I will conclude by saying that this is my opinion and my way of looking things in India and may be I am wrong and I wish you a very happy and successful R2I.

Dicky_Bird · Post by **Dicky_Bird** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 7:48 pm

You can take USC after returning to India too, you have 2 years of Green card with re entry permit. So you can decide on USC later too.
getting a Job in India is only the issue. See if your network can help, Go for R2I, if your heart is set on it.
There always be issues in life like the ones you are having, have faith in yourself and family.

Good Luck,

crazyforger · Post by **crazyforger** » Sat Dec 16, 2017 10:02 pm

Why wasn't all this planned beforehand?
A person who has worked so many years in the US should have been in a much comfortable situation by now.

There are many low cost colleges in US. Getting educated is more important than brand name.
One should act according to his/her situation.