Coming Back for your Parents from abroad - a checklist to consider.
The Return Journey Nobody Fully Prepares For
Some stage of life there comes a point when the calls from home get heavier & disturbing. Aged parent's health slipping, a father's hospital visit, a mother managing alone. Slowly, the decision takes shape, it's time to go back.
The emotional part is usually clear. The financial part gets blurred.
A 2025 NRI community survey found 74% of returnees cited ageing parents as the primary reason for coming back. What most did not anticipate salary dropping to a third of what they earned abroad, medical bills that insurance doesn't fully cover, and a tax status that changes the moment the flight lands.
FEMA compliance, NRE account redesignation, RNOR tax status these aren't things to figure out after arrival. Experts suggest it is better to plan three to six months before the move. Not after.
If this move is on your horizon or someone in your circle is considering it, time to plan is now, not when the tickets get booked.
Source: "Moving back for ageing parents? Here's the financial reality NRIs must prepare for" — Mint, July 28, 2026. Inputs from CA Sidhant Agarwal, CFP Vishal Dhawan, and Thomas Kaduthanam, MSherpa.
Rahul Karandikar
After two decades in technology, Rahul now works with individuals and families who want to think about money with clarity, patience, and a long-term perspective.
