Almost one and a half years after returning from Canada, Saswath still finds himself answering the same question again and again: “Why did you come back?” To put an end to this, the Indian professional and social media influencer decided to explain his decision in an Instagram post that many found relatable.
As countries like the US tighten visa rules, the UK hardens its immigration stance, and Canada rolls out major changes in 2025, especially for international students, the global mood around migration is clearly shifting. Over the past year, this has pushed more NRIs to return to India. Many say the decision is also driven by the fact that India itself is now offering real opportunities for growth, especially in the tech space.
‘No job in Canada’: NRI returns to India
In a social media post, Saswath said the first and biggest reason was work. According to him, corporate jobs in Canada are extremely hard to get if you do not have permanent residency. “There is no job in Canada in the corporate sector. If you don’t have PR, your chances are just one or two percent,” he said. He explained that while people believe jobs are easily available, the reality on the ground is very different.
Saswath shared a personal example. He said he had interviewed for the same company in Canada, where he is currently working in India. Despite having similar skills, he was rejected in Canada. The reason, he believes, was simple, he did not have PR.
He added that the jobs he was getting there were not the kind of work he had moved abroad for. “I didn’t go there to do those jobs,” he said. Like many others, he had gone to Canada hoping for a better life than the one he had in India. But after living there, he realised, “I was already living a better life in India,” he said, adding that the life people dream of abroad often takes eight to ten years of struggle to reach.
Distance makes you understand the value of family
The second reason behind his return was family. Saswath said many young Indians believe that moving abroad brings freedom and independence. But within six months of living alone, his thinking changed. “In India, families fight, argue and bicker,” he said. “But that is still the best life.” He explained that living alone teaches you that life without family support can feel empty. “Living alone is no fun,” he said simply.
Saswath was clear that Canada does offer many things India still struggles with. He spoke about better infrastructure, cleaner surroundings, smoother roads and better air quality. “Canada is beautiful,” he said. But he also spoke about friends who are still living abroad. Many of them, he said, are still struggling to build a stable life for their families. In doing so, they are missing out on time with parents and loved ones back home.
‘Coming back to India was the right decision’
Saswath said that if he had found a good job in Canada, he might have stayed for a few years, enjoyed life and then returned. But once he came back to India, he had a clear plan. “Whatever I planned, I executed in the last one and a half years,” he said. Today, he says life is good and returning to India was the right decision.
His story comes at a time when moving abroad has become more difficult for Indians. In 2025, several countries tightened visa rules, raised fees and limited intake numbers. For many students and professionals, overseas dreams became slower, costlier and uncertain.
Every year, a large number of Indian students get enrolled in Canadian universities, but things are finally changing. The government confirmed a federal cap on study permits, planning to issue 437,000 permits during the year. This rule now applies to most master’s and doctoral students, as well as many applicants applying from within Canada.
(Disclaimer: The content in this article is based on a viral social media discussion and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The financial figures and strategies mentioned are personal to the user and have not been independently verified. )