Soundarya Balasubramani’s Post

Moving back IS NOT a sign a failure. You bring back tons of experience working abroad, which you can implement in the new company. The challenge? To find a company and management that would APPRECIATE the experience you’ve acquired

The American Dream = REAL. Never experienced it myself, but let me tell you - it’s f****** real! Last quarter, when I was in NYC for a conference at the UN HQ - I was mostly using UBER for my local commute + airport transfers. 2 of those UBER drivers happened to be Indians. & as I boarded the cabs - they checked with me if I was from India & that's how we started chatting…. The 1st guy’s story left me shocked - he flew to the US a few years ago on a B1/B2 Visitor Visa & never came back…..After a while, he reached out to the US Government & ‘declared an emergency - stating that he’s not safe in his own country’ & that’s how he was allowed to stay + work in the US. He then decided to bring his family too - used the same B1/B2 trick, flew them in & declared another emergency :) This seems like a loophole - but people have all the HACKS to stay in the US, earn a living, settle down, get a house & live life. The 2nd guy’s story was similar - but his Jugaad was different - The guy was doing online degrees to stay in the US on a student visa which allowed him to work for a few hours every day/week & he said he’s been doing this for 3+ years now. Crazy to see people running out of their country to live a not-so-comfortable life — The best part: These guys love to see their $ salaries & convert them to Rupee values for the feel-good factor, forgetting that the cost index is also a $ value…. & like the rules of business - one should always compare “Savings” & never “CTC”. It’s controversial, but it’s REAL. I truly feel: the next 2 decades belong to 🇮🇳 - gone are the days when people had to fly out to accelerate their careers — There’s so much happening on all fronts & opportunities are at an all-time high. PS: I personally belong to a very different school of thought: I love building in 🇮🇳, living with family ❤️& living the Indian Dream 🚀 PPS: The CANADIAN Dream is worse - more on that soon. #India #Dream #American #Dream

First you need to have quality higher education system(MS and all) in all new streams and a vision of education policy!! to prevent brain drain. Plus corporates to provide good compensation and objective career growth. You are from IIT, tell me Where would an IITian take higher education in new innovative futuristic streams or why an IITian take a package of 10-15 lakhs average whereas in US he can get a crore! According to industry body ASSOCHAM, over USD 13 billion is spent per annum by about 450 000 Indian students for higher education abroad. Please address that, first things first!!

I was reading this piece of news today morning which said that Canada is making it harder for Indians to migrate. Since whenever I can remember, I know that Indians 🇮🇳 have this huge fascination to settle /travel abroad. Looking for a better life - many have settled in far away places from Australia, Europe, Africa to America. On the other hand, for Americans 🇺🇸 - I know of many Americans in their 30s and 40s who have not stepped outside America. About 52% Americans don’t even have a passport! 🤯 I was a little kid when I heard of stories of some distant family friend who moved to the US - the narrator would have a tone of awe and appreciation. “Success” was defined by moving outside India. Sadly enough, even today 30+ years later, not much has changed. Yes, a few Indians have come back in the recent years, but the majority still doesn’t want to come back. There is still a condescending undertone from Indians who “have made it abroad” when they are talking about their relatives back home. There is still an aspiration among young boys and girls to travel to and settle abroad. There are still large companies and startups working solely on sending people outside India. In a recent trip to Dubai, I was thinking of all the taxi drivers who are from India. In Muscat, there were these waiters from India. In the US, there were taxi guys, shop assistants, doctors, consultants, engineers, MBAs, waiters - all from India. It is sad that I grew up in independent India, and still 30 years later, the colonial hangover is so large and the country’s progress in terms of opportunities and infrastructure is so slow that many of the healthiest, brightest and the sharpest minds want to leave the country and move to an unknown world - a world that’s perceived to be superior, irrespective of social strata. Whether or not life is better, the psychological measure of progress still is in being in “foreign” ! And that is sad 😢 #immigration

Calling all Indian globetrotters! ✈️🇬🇧 Did you know that Indian citizens might be eligible for an easier path to visit the UK? The Commonwealth visa program offers a smoother application process and potentially longer stays compared to standard UK visas. Here's the gist for your next adventure: 💥Citizenship perk: This program is open to Indian citizens since India is a part of common wealth nation. 💥Simplified process: Potentially less hassle compared to the regular UK visa track. 💥Extended exploration: Enjoy a longer validity period on your visa, allowing for more time to explore the UK's wonders. Planning a trip to the UK? Look into the Commonwealth visa program and see if it fits your travel plans!                                    #CommonwealthVisa #UKTravel #India #TravelTips

Throughout history, Indians have been on the move, seeking new opportunities and experiences abroad. From indentured laborers on British colonies to leaders and influencers worldwide, the Indian diaspora has significantly shaped economies, societies, and politics of their adopted countries. With over 18 million Indians living outside their homeland, India has the world's largest migrant population. But India does not allow dual citizenship, acquiring citizenship of another country nullifies Indian citizenship. According to government data, more than 1.6 million Indians have given up Indian citizenship since 2011, including 225,620 in 2022 alone, an average of 618 per day. While the numbers might seem staggering, reasons for migration vary, from lifestyle factors like weather and pollution to financial concerns and educational opportunities for children. However, it's essential to note that many of these choices are driven by personal aspirations and the pursuit of a better life. The passport score can also strongly influence migration decisions. A higher passport rank means greater visa-free travel access to numerous countries, making it an appealing choice for global travelers. The Indian passport faced a significant setback in 2023, experiencing the world's largest drop in the Passport Index. Limiting visa-free travel options to just 21 countries, while requiring visas for 128 others. In contrast, residence cards from Greece or Portugal offer Indians the advantage of visa-free travel to all Schengen countries, making them attractive options for those seeking seamless mobility and broader horizons. At HAYMAN-WOODWARD, we recognize the importance of global mobility in unlocking opportunities for individuals and businesses worldwide. As we navigate these changes, we remain committed to facilitating seamless solutions for our clients' diverse mobility needs. #HAYMANWOODWARD #GlobalMobility #Migration #Opportunities

Most people who move abroad, aren't able to move back to india, even if they want to. It's been four years since I moved back, after living in Australia for 5+ years. Here's why I feel most people aren't able to do what I did. 💡 The Debt Trap Many move abroad to study and end up accumulating massive student loans. Then some take another loan to buy a home they can't afford. Once you take on so much debt, you have to keep working to manage payments. Luckily, I consciously avoided debt so I have complete freedom. 💡 The Luxury Jail As we continue to live abroad, we start mimicing the consumerist lifestyle around us. If debt is a trap, luxury is like an invisible jail. People spend so much, they never get to save enough to invest in assets. When you are living paycheck to paycheck, it's impossible to imagine making big changes. Living within your means and investing in assets is the gateway to attain financial, location and time freedom. 💡The fear of competition & work culture The competition in India is fierce. You might feel like a king or queen with your qualifications & experiences abroad. But here, you are one among millions. There is no dearth of talent. Unfortunately, that also leads to a bad work culture. It's difficult to come back and take up a job in India. If you do not invest in assets, you have no choice but to work in a job, lifelong. 💡The "Everything foreign is Gold" trap This one is a little controversial, but it's true. I have experienced it myself. Indian education system is designed to make you doubt your country. History lessons in textbooks glorified invaders and colonial British era while emphasising on the poor Indian caste system, poverty and illiteracy. Hitler used to be my hero at one point for conquering the world. No kidding! The Puranas and Upanishads are mentioned a couple of times, and older civilisation history is taught in terms of the ruins & remains found by the archeologists. How interesting! It's only when you dig deeper you realise the rich culture and history of India. It's only when you travel, you realise the pristine architecture, beautiful landscapes and rich flora & fauna here. In the end, there is no perfect country. It's how you embrace it. 💡The procastrination trap Lastly, it's the trap of - "I will do it some day". The inertia of staying in your comfort zone. It takes a lot of effort to move to a new place. Even more to move back to your old town, after expanding your horizon. Most people cannot handle it. They prefer staying unfulfilled where they are than leaving their comfort zone. After you have kids and they start studying, it gets even harder to make big moves. I am not saying India is the best place to live and people must move back. Everyone will have a different experience. Every place has its pros ans cons. You have to make a choice for happiness. #india #mindset #leadership #happiness P.S. That's me enjoying a wall handstand in Melbourne

Last week, I asked you what’s more difficult - moving abroad alone or with a partner/family. A question with zero nuance, I know! 😂 I asked it that way on purpose, to decrease any type of influence and also hear people’s thoughts. The results say it’s a tie! I moved with a long-term partner - we were married for almost 5 years at that time. And while the decision to move was well thought out and planned carefully, it still caused quite a lot of stress in our relationship. Even just moving from one home to another within the same city can cause friction, let alone moving your entire life across the world! Before we could both land in the Netherlands, he was there for a few months to set up the basics - find an apartment, and make sure we have a bed in it. We’re not strangers to being apart for longer periods of time, but that doesn’t mean it ever gets easier. And being apart in the middle of the pandemic adds an extra layer of stress to it. 💔 In the visa process, as well as after arrival - I put a lot of pressure on myself to be as independent as possible, and make sure he doesn’t have to “look after” me. He did have to sign a document confirming he’ll be my SPONSOR for the purpose of the partner visa 🙈 so I wanted to make sure he doesn’t feel that I depend on him for everything or like he’s responsible for my happiness. So I insisted on figuring out the municipality process by myself, going to all the appointments alone, and becoming as independent as possible with the everyday tasks like grocery shopping, getting around town, or finding fun things to do. At the same time, moving with a loving and understanding partner means you’re not alone and you always have someone to at least share your thoughts and fears with 🤝 And it’s a process full of fears and doubts. So the added support is definitely a perk! When moving alone, you don’t have to take someone else’s feelings or wishes into account. So there's no one to argue with but yourself. But you also don’t have the feeling of taking a shared risk! The fact that it’s all you is both awesome and terrifying. Making the new place feel like home can also be a challenge when you’re on your own. Not to talk about the financial pressure 💸 and the fact you can only rely on yourself (unless you have a serious savings account or a rich aunt, of course) I won’t pretend to be an expert on moving with kids 👨👩👧👦 but in that case, you get the added task of: - finding the best schools for them (and understanding the Dutch education system) - figuring out how you’ll get around with them (ready for a real workout with two kids in a cargo bike?) - preparing them mentally for this HUGE change However you put it - it is not easy! And none of these scenarios is objectively easier than the others. No matter where you are in your journey, I hope you are happy with your choices, and you have the support you need, one way or another! 💝

📰 If you're reading news on the #Canada-#India situation everywhere and are desperately trying to understand how this affects your business travel/global mobility programs, 👀 look no further! 👇 💡What's going on? 📑 In 6 easy bulletpoints. 1. Canadian nationals in Canada and/or third countries cannot apply for Indian visas. They will not be processed 📛 2. If the Canadian national has already a valid Indian visa or Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card, they can still enter India ✈️ 3. OCI cards applications are still being accepted! 🥳 4. Third-country nationals (not Indian or Canadian) living in Canada will not be able to apply for a visa in Canada, as the Indian Consulates in Canada have temporarily suspended the visa services (this includes e-visas). They may need to travel to their country of citizenship to apply, but this needs to be reviewed on a case by case basis 🛂 5. Canada is still processing visas for Indian nationals. However, India is advising caution when travelling to Canada - which may impact validity of health insurance if they have limitation clauses linked to the risk of a specific country! 📜 6. Canadians residing in India can renew their visas. Delays are likely to be expected, as well as potential travel restrictions during renewals 🚧 🌟 What do I do? The situation is temporary but there is no announced timeline. If you're managing #businesstravel or #globalmobility, you should: 🔺 Assess how many Canadians you have living in India, planning an assignment or business trip. If you don't have this data stored, urgently contact them to understand their current status (e.g. OCI, applying for a visa, having a visa, renewing a permit...) and check with your immigration/business travel provider in case of questions/specific issues. 🔺Manage communications with appropriate stakeholders within your organisation to ensure they take this into consideration in project or trip planning. 🔺Keep yourself updated and reach out if I (or my amazing team) can be of help! 🔺 Share this post to help others! Vialto Partners #immigration #globalmobility #globalmobilityservices #visa #businessvisa #india #canadavisa #indiatravel #restrictions