An Indian professional and social media influencer who returned from Canada 18 months ago has explained why he chose to move back to India, saying his decision was shaped by both career considerations and family priorities.
NRI returns to India for career and family
In an Instagram post, Shashwat Khare described a stark difference between popular perceptions of work opportunities in Canada and his own experience. He said corporate roles are scarce for those without permanent residency, and that the chance of landing a professional job can be slim. “If you don’t have PR, your chances of getting a job are just one or two percent,” he told followers, arguing that many migrants face unexpected barriers when they first arrive.
Khare offered a personal example: he interviewed for the same company in Canada where he is now employed in India and was turned down despite comparable skills and experience. Instead, he was being offered roles that did not match the career path he had moved abroad to pursue. “I didn’t go there to do those jobs,” he said, reflecting on a common mismatch between expectation and reality.
Beyond employment, Khare said living away from family altered his priorities. He initially anticipated greater independence and felt life would be “happening” in Canada. Yet within six months of living alone, he realised how central family was to his sense of wellbeing. “Families fight, argue, and bicker, but that is still the best life,” he observed, adding that solitude made many experiences feel less meaningful.
Khare acknowledged the positive aspects of life in Canada — better roads, infrastructure and air quality — but noted that such benefits did not outweigh the difficulty of establishing a stable career and the emotional cost of prolonged separation from loved ones. He said some friends who remain abroad are still struggling to build stable lives for their families even years after migrating.
He also reflected on timing. Many migrants chase a better life overseas that may take eight to ten years to materialise, he argued, and those years often coincide with major life events. “Those eight or ten years, you would miss the major moments of your life,” Khare said, explaining why he prioritised being present for family and friends over waiting for a long-term payoff.
Khare conceded that, had he secured a good job in Canada, he might have stayed for a few years and returned later. Instead, he described his return as a conscious choice that restored a sense of contentment. “Life is good. Coming back was a good decision. Stay with your family, stay with your friends. Live a happy life,” he concluded.
The account echoes wider conversations about reverse migration and returnees who seek professional opportunity at home. For many young professionals, the calculus now extends beyond salary and infrastructure to include career trajectory, legal status and family ties — factors that increasingly shape decisions about whether to stay abroad or return.
Key Takeaways:
- NRI returns to India after 1.5 years in Canada, citing limited corporate job opportunities without permanent residency.
- The decision was driven by career prospects and the importance of family support.
- The article highlights the gap between expectations and reality for migrants seeking a ‘better life’ abroad.
