Before you move back: your checklist

Everything to do, in order, from a year before the move to your first weeks in India. Tick items off as you go: your progress is saved in this browser.

Updated 29 October 2026 · 29 items

12 months before

Pick your move dateFit it around the school year and the tax years: India's starts on 1 April; the US and Canada use the calendar year; the UK starts on 6 April.
Check your numbersWill your savings last in India? Try the retirement planner.
Work out your RNOR yearsThey decide when your income abroad becomes taxable in India. Use the RNOR checker.
Decide on workA transfer, a job in India, remote work or retiring. See the options.
Choose a city and areaJobs, schools, hospitals and flights. Compare the cities.
Apply to schoolsAdmissions usually open between October and January. Choosing a board.

6 months before

Get tax advice in both countriesThe year you move is the easiest to get wrong. Your first year of taxes back.
Decide what to do with retirement savings abroadKeep, transfer or withdraw: 401(k)s, pensions, gratuity, provident funds. Timing can save a lot of tax.
Decide on your home abroadSell, rent out or end the lease. Selling and tenant searches take months. Your home abroad.
Book check-ups and dental workOften cheaper or faster where you are now, and your cover there ends when you leave.
Line up health insurance in IndiaWaiting periods start only when you buy. What to buy.
Check passports and OCI cardsRenew any passport expiring within a year; apply for children's OCI cards. OCI and documents.
Get quotes from moversDecide what to ship, sell or give away; sea freight takes 4 to 8 weeks. Shipping your household.

3 months before

Give notice at work and on your leaseCheck your contract's notice period and any end-of-service payments.
Ask for school records and transfer lettersReport cards, a leaving letter and any curriculum details the new school asks for.
Get documents attestedApostille or embassy attestation for birth, marriage and degree certificates. Documents to carry.
Plan your money transfersCompare rates and move large sums in parts. Moving your money.
Book somewhere to stay for the first weeksA serviced flat near the school or office while you look for a home.
Start pet paperwork, if you have petsIndia needs an import permit and health certificates; allow several weeks. Moving with pets.

The last month

Close, keep or convert each accountBank, cards, brokerage, phone and insurance abroad; NRE and NRO accounts in India. The accounts checklist.
Keep one bank account, card and phone number abroadFor withdrawals, refunds and two-step logins to accounts abroad.
Cancel utilities and subscriptionsCollect deposits back and keep the final bills.
Collect final payslips and tax papersEmployment letters, final settlement, tax returns and statements: India and your new bank may ask for them.
Tell the authorities you're leavingCancel your residence visa (in the Gulf), or tell the tax office (for example HMRC in the UK or the CRA in Canada). Checklists by country.
Set up mail forwarding or a trusted addressFor tax letters, cards and account notices that still arrive.

Your first weeks in India

Tell your Indian bank and brokers you're residentSo accounts are converted and the right tax is deducted. NRE vs NRO vs FCNR.
Get a local phone number and AadhaarNeeded for most services; NRIs with an Indian passport can apply on arrival.
Make sure your health cover has startedKeep the policy papers and the insurer's helpline handy.
Join school and settle the childrenGive them time: a new board, language and friends take a few months. Your first 90 days.

Questions

When should I start planning my move back to India?

About a year ahead is ideal. School admissions, selling a home and tax planning all take months, and some steps, such as health insurance waiting periods, only start once you act.

Is this checklist only for people moving from the US?

No. It's for NRIs moving back from anywhere. Steps that differ by country, such as cancelling a residence visa or telling a tax office, are marked with examples.

Are my ticks saved?

Yes, in this browser on this device. Nothing is sent to us. Clearing your browser data, or opening the page on another device, starts a fresh list.

Will your money last after the move?

The free retirement planner works it out year by year, with Indian inflation, your children's costs and a stress test.

Open the retirement planner

General information for planning, not financial, tax or legal advice. Steps and timings vary by country and family.