Returning to India on H-1B: Pre-Departure and Arrival Essentials

(INDIA) With more Indian professionals on the H-1B visa weighing a permanent or long-term return to India, the most urgent questions come down to what to do before departure from the United States and what to expect after landing at home. The choices you make in the final weeks—how you manage your U.S. status, which documents to carry, how you prepare taxes and finances—can shape your ability to come back to the U.S. for future projects, keep benefits you’ve already earned, and avoid unpleasant surprises at airports, banks, and government offices. This isn’t just paperwork. It’s the difference between a smooth transition and an avoidable setback.

The reality on the ground is simple: even if you’re leaving now, you may want to return later for a new role, a business trip, or a consular interview for visa stamping. That’s why your file should be airtight before you board the flight. At the top of the list are the essentials that prove your past lawful work and protect your path back: a valid passport, a current H-1B visa stamp if you plan to reenter, your original I-797 approval notice, recent pay stubs, and tax forms. If your job ended or will end before departure, the 60-day grace window matters—missing that timeline can affect your future eligibility.

The U.S. government lays out options for workers after termination, including the 60-day grace period, on its official site; see the USCIS alert on job loss and status options for details: Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment (USCIS). According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Indians who keep a clean record and complete exit formalities properly find it easier to return on the same or a new petition.

For many families, the trigger to move back is personal—a parent’s health, a child’s schooling, a shift in career goals—yet the legal and financial pieces are technical and time-sensitive. That’s why building a clear, dated record of your employment in the U.S. helps at multiple stages: visa interviews, future H-1B filings, PERM-based green card processes that may restart later, and even routine background checks by new employers in India who assess overseas experience. A tidy exit with strong documentation reduces doubt and questions months or years down the line.

Preparing to Depart the U.S.: The Records That Protect Your Future

For anyone on the H-1B visa, the phrase “documents to carry” is not a formality. It’s your proof of lawful status, authorized work, and tax compliance. Pack and organize the following, with originals where possible and clean digital scans stored safely.

Important documents to carry (keep originals if possible):
– Valid passport and, if you plan to reenter the U.S., a current H-1B visa stamp. If your stamp is expired but your petition is valid, you’ll need consular stamping before your next U.S. trip.
– Original I-797 Approval Notice (Notice of Action) — official proof of H-1B petition approval. Keep the original safe, and carry copies. See: Form I-797, Notice of Action (USCIS).
– Recent employment verification letter dated within 30 days on company letterhead confirming position, salary, work location (including client site if applicable), and good standing.
– Last three months’ pay stubs to show active, paid employment.
– Latest W-2 and at least the past two years’ W-2s, plus recent tax returns if available.
– Copies of I-94 arrival/departure history, past visa stamps, and passport pages with U.S. entry/exit stamps. Retrieve I-94 records at: Get Your I-94 (CBP).
– Educational certificates, transcripts, and credential evaluations if your job depends on degree equivalence.
– Client letters and end-client confirmations if you worked at third-party sites.
– Dependent records for H-4 family members: marriage and birth certificates, H-4 I-797 approvals, visa stamps, school records, and vaccination records for children.

Two extra steps that save headaches:
1. Scan and securely back up everything — use encrypted cloud storage and a separate drive.
2. Label files clearly with dates and document names for quick production to employers, consular officers, or lawyers.

If you’ve been laid off or are ending employment, the clock starts ticking. The 60-day grace period allows you to:
1. Find a new employer,
2. Change status (if eligible),
3. Depart the U.S., or
4. Take other listed steps per USCIS guidance.

Staying beyond the grace window without a new status can undercut future visa applications. Confirm your last day on payroll, final paycheck date, and health insurance end date in writing so you can plan your departure and coverage without gaps.

Financial and Legal Housekeeping

Speak with a U.S. tax professional and an Indian chartered accountant before you leave to handle dual-year filings and the India-U.S. tax treaty. Plan for these items:

• U.S. bank accounts
  • Decide which accounts to keep for ongoing needs (investments, refunds, wire transfers) and which to close.
  • Update mailing addresses and enable electronic statements.
• Credit cards
  • Consider keeping at least one open U.S. card if you plan to return or need to maintain U.S. credit history.
  • Turn on alerts and monitor for fraud.
• 401(k) or retirement plans
  • Learn rollover options, early withdrawal penalties, and long-term tax exposure.
  • Many Indians defer withdrawals to avoid penalties.
• Brokerage accounts and RSUs/ESPPs
  • Understand vesting schedules, trading windows, and tax treatment in both countries.
  • Ask your employer stock plan administrator about post-employment actions.
• Health insurance
  • Note COBRA timelines if you need short-term U.S. coverage until you settle in India.
  • Mark policy end dates to avoid paying for unused coverage.
• Address changes
  • File USPS mail forwarding and update banks, employer HR/payroll, plan administrators, and the IRS if needed.

Travel planning tips:
– Stick to dates that keep you within status or the grace period.
– Check transit visa rules for third-country stops.
– Keep all original H-1B documents in your carry-on, not checked baggage.
– Employees at client sites: collect site letters or SOW confirmations while you still have access.

Some professionals use a U.S. mailing service for official letters and tax forms. If you do, pick a trusted provider and appoint someone reliable to manage urgent mail.

After Landing in India: Protect Records, Taxes, Career, and Care

Arrival day brings relief, but it’s not the finish line. The first month back is the best time to sort documents, taxes, and health coverage while routines settle.

Records and contact information:
– Store U.S. files in two safe places and keep a simple index of what you have: I-797 approvals, I-94 history, pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, visa stamps, client letters, degree papers, and family records.
– Keep former employer HR and immigration contacts in a dedicated file for future verification needs.

Taxes:
– Determine your Indian residential status for the year and map how U.S. and Indian income will be reported.
– Work with a CA in India to align filings, claim tax credits for U.S. taxes paid, and avoid double taxation.
– If you left assets like a 401(k) or brokerage accounts, plan for Indian tax treatment and disclosure requirements.

Social Security and Medicare:
– Social Security taxes paid generally remain in the system unless you qualify for retirement benefits based on sufficient credits.
– The U.S. and India do not have a totalization agreement; refunds are generally not available.
– Keep Social Security statements and consider creating a “my Social Security” account to monitor contributions.

Healthcare:
– Buy India-based health insurance promptly, especially if moving cities or changing employers.
– If there’s a gap between U.S. coverage and your new India policy, consider short-term private coverage.
– Build a medical file with vaccination records, prescriptions, imaging, lab results, and treatment plans from U.S. doctors.

Career and documentation:
– Keep a written record of your U.S. work portfolio—projects, tools, client results, and references.
– Indian recruiters often request U.S. pay stubs and W-2s to validate experience.
– If you plan a future U.S. return, stay in touch with former managers, clients, and immigration counsel.

Maintaining eligibility and consular considerations:
– If your H-1B petition remains valid, preserve eligibility by tracking expiry dates and staying in good standing.
– For consular stamping in India, confirm the latest document list on the U.S. consulate website before booking appointments.
– Consular officers often focus on job legitimacy, employer control, and proper payment—your pay stubs, W-2s, and employer letters address those concerns.

Local reintegration tasks:
– Update addresses, bank KYC details, and mobile number linkages to PAN/Aadhaar.
– Enroll children in school early; collect transfer certificates and immunization records.
– For drivers, check whether your state allows license conversion or requires a fresh test.

Money movement post-arrival:
– Many families keep at least one U.S. account open to collect tax refunds or transfer funds during the first year.
– Set up two-factor authentication tied to an India mobile number or a trusted U.S. number you control.
– If you hold U.S. mutual funds or ETFs, confirm rules for non-U.S. residents with your broker.

H-4 EAD and spouse records:
– Store EAD cards, I-539 approvals, and old I-94 records with H-1B files.
– These documents help lawyers and HR confirm prior work authorization if you return later.

If you plan to reenter the U.S. for a new job:
– Expect the employer’s immigration team to ask for prior I-797 approvals, all I-94 records, proof of maintenance of status through the last paid workday, and academic credentials.
– Any missing pay periods or inconsistent client addresses can slow an H-1B transfer filing.

Workers who exit during a grace period should document:
– Last day worked, last day on payroll, departure date, and a copy of the plane ticket or boarding pass.
– If you left after securing a new offer and transfer filing, store transfer receipts and bridge petitions.

Air travel and employer exit steps:
– Carry key H-1B documents in cabin baggage, with printed and digital copies.
– Complete employer exit steps before you fly: return equipment, sign separation paperwork, confirm final pay, and request a final employment verification letter on letterhead with dates and title.

Policy changes:
– Keep an eye on official updates from USCIS and the U.S. Department of State that could affect wage rules, third-party work site documentation, or consulate timelines.
– Set reminders to check petition expiry dates, visa stamp validity, and passport renewals 6–9 months ahead.

When explaining prior U.S. status in interviews:
– Be direct and consistent. Officers focus on whether the job is real and specialty-based, employer control, and proper payment.
– Pay stubs, W-2s, employer letters, client letters, and contracts answer these questions.

Practical matters for family and property:
– For children: collect U.S. report cards and vaccination records for smooth Indian school entry.
– For U.S. property: understand tax and maintenance obligations if you keep it as an investment.
– For pets: confirm airline and India animal quarantine rules well ahead; paperwork and vaccinations can take weeks.

Job-hunting in India:
– Prepare a one-page brief listing your U.S. tools, platforms, achievements, and team size, plus a short summary of regulated work.
– Keep U.S. references ready for quick calls across time zones.

Emotional and practical pacing:
– Set aside an hour each week in the first three months to handle leftover tasks: a pending U.S. tax form, retirement account choice, address update, or consular appointment.
– Consider a short-term return trip for final tasks; if using a visitor visa, remember no work, no pay and carry proof of purpose and ties to India.

For future H-1B filings or licensure:
– Keep original degree certificates safe and update credential evaluations to reflect exact majors and coursework required by the target job.
– For occupations requiring licensing, retain records of steps completed in the U.S.

Give yourself time to adapt before making big financial moves like selling U.S. investments or entering long leases. A measured pace avoids rushed choices.

Key takeaway: The better your file today, the smoother your path tomorrow. Before your flight, do a final review and confirm the non-negotiables: passport validity, H-1B petition end date, and whether you’ll need a new visa stamp. If employment is ending, mark the 60-day grace period on your calendar and act within it.

A Practical, Carry-On-Ready Checklist for H-1B Travelers

• Passport, current U.S. visa stamp if planning to return, and extra passport photos
• Original I-797 approval notice and copies; reference: Form I-797, Notice of Action (USCIS)
• Latest three pay stubs; latest two W-2s; recent U.S. tax return copy
• Employment verification letter dated within the last 30 days
• I-94 travel history printout: Get Your I-94 (CBP)
• Degree certificates, transcripts, and credential evaluation
• Client letters or SOW confirmations if you worked at client sites
• H-4 family records: marriage/birth certificates, H-4 approvals, past I-94 records
• Health records: vaccination history, prescriptions, and doctor summaries
• Digital backups stored securely; paper copies in a labeled folder

Each item answers common consular or HR questions: who employed you, what you were paid, where you worked, whether you stayed in status, and whether your role meets specialty occupation standards. Even after you settle in India, keep these records ready for any future move or interview.

For official rules, forms, and notices related to your status, the U.S. government sites cited above remain the baseline. Use them as primary sources and pair that information with advice from trusted professionals in both countries. A planned exit, a tight document set, and thoughtful steps after you land in India will protect your record and your options—now, and when the next opportunity calls.