R2i

[Maverick_2008]

Stayed in the US for a dozen years, got my masters, worked at a Fortune 10 company for several years, finished my 40 social security credits, always thought about coming back home (India), did actually come back to India 1.5+ years ago, left all uncertainties about the US immigration process behind, accepted a good job (big fish, not-so-small pond in my hometown) and accepted India as it is.

So, for those who have been waiting patiently for their papers and want to settle in the US, all the very best.

For those, who want to come back to India to their friends and family, India *is* still !ncredible.

Maverick_08

[cooler]

You raise a good point Maverick_08. At some point, GC no longer holds the same perceived value as one initially had assigned to it. A lot of us in this forum have been around for a decade or more (myself included) and have reached a tipping point of sorts.Those who applied for GC and were fortunate to have got it soon, probably did not go through the same level of frustration and angst that some of the others have.

In the last decade of living here a lot has probably changed in ones life. In my case

1) Perception on life.
2) Understanding the essence of being happy and what is truly important in life.
3) Tired of the Rat race (IT job)
4) Parents/old age
5) Desire to simplify life and go back to the basics.

Inspite of that some of us continue to wait (including me) for the elusive GC and then consider moving back with a potential option to return back. All for what??

Anyways, these are just ramblings from a tortured soul.

Folks, feel free to throw in your two cents about how life has changed since you applied GC and whether it really is worth it?

cooler

[gaurav_sh2]

I agree to maverick. I have PD of feb 08 in EB2. I was having a permenent job but I decided to move back. The main points were uncentainity in GC process. Took a leads Job in worlds largest mutual fund company at bangalore as DBA.
Thing are working out great, since I can do what ever I want without worrying about any paprework.

All though I am really flustreted with bangalore traffic but you have to deal with it..

[shree772000]

In the longer run I think many of us will go back if not close to 90%. That is the charm India holds in our hearts and minds.

Its just not jobs or lack thereof, its not about comfortable life or lack thereof, you will be pulled back at your heart.

And with all the brains going back India can no longer be poor and will overflow with talent so there will be more companies moving into India.

I plan to go back regardless of GC.

[cmanoj2000]

Came to US in 2004. But never was after GC. Applied in Feb 2008 EB2. So does not look like will get my GC in next couple of years.

'cooler' has well said that value of GC has changed as life has progressed. Now thinking of going back as parents getting older. Plus daughter has US citizenship. If she wants to come back here, that is her privilege.

Completing 40 SS credits next year. So can return after that. Bought home in 2006 at the peak of the buble so getting out of the house is probably the only hurdle left.

[willigetgc?]

India is still in my heart and love everything about her. For me the people hold the charm and since I have lost them, it is hard to consider going back... When I first came almost 15 years ago, I didn't want to stay here but now I 'can't' go back.. One of life's twisted ironies.
That's my story.

Good Luck to all those who decided to go back and good luck to those who decided to stay back.

[lord_labaku]

I had to sacrifice my career a little bit due to GC. I regret that. I dont think GC is worth enough to sacrifice career advancements; especially for people from India & China.

Yes; India has infrastructure challenges....but they are being addressed slowly...the worst part is people in the US are missing out the growth in India. accelerating growth always feels better than advanced developed stable nation.

I have my GC already...I can say for sure that it wasnt worth it.

[cooler]

This might be a cliche..

Neither GC nor the Career meet our ultimate end goals

If you boil it all down, this craziness is driven by three things

1) Hunger for money
2) Hunger for Achievement/Recognition
3) Hunger for materialistic pleasures.

When you are 65+ years old, I bet none of us would be thinking about GC, Citizenship or for that matter how good the infrastructure in this country is. However I bet we will all be thinking about two things

1) Financial Freedom/Retirement
2) A closer and more fulfilling relationship with near & dear ones.

From what I can remember, I have always wanted to come to the US, enjoy the luxuries of life and escape India. 12 years into this country, none of that joy or excitement remains. What has taken over is planning for an early retirement and peace of mind. To put things in perspective, I am neither approaching retirement nor approaching mid life crisis (I think), I am just 35 years old.

My goal now is to make my money without sacrificing too much in life, plan out my future and make my way to the beeline. Hopefully the conversion rates wont disappoint us, and I can disappear into the Indian sunset.

Again, ramblings from a tortured soul.

Cooler

[dummgelauft]

In the longer run I think many of us will go back if not close to 90%. That is the charm India holds in our hearts and minds.

Its just not jobs or lack thereof, its not about comfortable life or lack thereof, you will be pulled back at your heart.

And with all the brains going back India can no longer be poor and will overflow with talent so there will be more companies moving into India.

I plan to go back regardless of GC.

It will always be poor. Always corrupt, always overpopulated. There is going to be civil unrest, on the scale of a civil war..just watch. The have nots will eat the "haves" for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

[smuggymba]

Came to US in 2004. But never was after GC. Applied in Feb 2008 EB2. So does not look like will get my GC in next couple of years.

'cooler' has well said that value of GC has changed as life has progressed. Now thinking of going back as parents getting older. Plus daughter has US citizenship. If she wants to come back here, that is her privilege.

Completing 40 SS credits next year. So can return after that. Bought home in 2006 at the peak of the buble so getting out of the house is probably the only hurdle left.

40SS credits won't get you SS after retirement if you're not a US Citizen then. Just so you know. India does not have a SS act with US and vice versa.

[dvb]

Does anyone know how you can claim social security when you are in India and not a permanent resident or citizen of the US ???

[smuggymba]

Does anyone know how you can claim social security when you are in India and not a permanent resident or citizen of the US ???

You can NOT. There is no such provision. Search for thread on this topic in this forum

Even GC's can't claim...SS is only for US citizens or any other countries with which US has a treaty.

[dvb]

Your Payments When You Are Outside The United States (http://ssa.gov/international/countrylist4.htm) ??? What does this mean .... looks like you can claim benefits.

[smuggymba]

Your Payments When You Are Outside The United States (http://ssa.gov/international/countrylist4.htm) ??? What does this mean .... looks like you can claim benefits.

hmm..we need to double check then. there was a huge discussion here, can u search that thread...i'll check also