
The dream of living and working in the United States has once again turned uncertain for an Indian techie hit by the latest round of layoffs.
An Indian man in the US recently took to Reddit to ask whether he could move back to India and survive without a job if he had around Rs 6 crore in savings.
The man said he had been affected by recent tech layoffs and was currently on a Green Card EAD. This means he has applied for a Green Card and has employment authorisation while his application is pending.
“Got hit by the recent tech layoffs. I’m on a GC EAD with about a five-month financial runway. Given the current job market, I’m trying to plan for the worst-case scenario: moving back to India,” he wrote.
His concern, however, is not just about money.
The Redditor said he has two major issues if he decides to return to India. First, he owns a house in the US and does not want to sell it at a loss. Second, his children do not know any Indian language, which could make their transition to Indian schools difficult.
“Has anyone transitioned kids into middle school in India without language skills? And is it worth sticking out the five months to try and find a US role on an EAD, or should I start prepping the move now? Can I survive with Rs 6 crore in India without any job?” he asked.
Unlike H-1B workers, who generally get only 60 days to find a new job after losing employment, Green Card EAD holders do not face the same deadline. They can usually remain in the US as long as their I-485 application is pending, has not been denied and they continue to meet the requirements of their Green Card category.
The Reddit post triggered divided reactions.
Many users felt that returning to India with Rs 6 crore and no debt would not be a major financial problem. According to them, that amount is far higher than what many Indian families retire with.
However, others advised him not to rush into the decision. They felt he still had time to search for another job in the US and should not easily give up his Green Card process.
Several users agreed on one point: money may not be the biggest issue. The bigger challenge would be relocating the family, managing the children’s education and dealing with the US house.
One user replied that Rs 6 crore with no debt would be enough to live comfortably in India. The user said the real concern was uprooting children before middle school and handling the property situation.
The user also advised him to use the five-month runway to continue searching for a job in the US, adding that being on EAD removes one major hurdle for employers.
On the issue of children adjusting in India, some users said kids usually adapt faster than expected. They pointed out that many CBSE and international schools in bigger Indian cities have students who do not know Hindi or local languages well.
The discussion shows the growing anxiety among Indian professionals in the US as tech layoffs, visa uncertainty and family pressures continue to complicate their long-term plans.
For many, the question is no longer just about earning well in America. It is also about whether the US dream is still worth the stress, or whether returning to India with financial security may offer a more stable life.