H1B Visa Layoffs And Moving Back Home To India: Simplifying Relocation

A relocation is a stressful event even when all is good and people decide to shift places voluntarily either in search of better job opportunities or to be with their families. The complexities of moving and uprooting from one place to another with all movables make relocation a daunting task even in normal circumstances.

This challenge is multifold when one has to shift places under duress. And this is what millions of people including Indian nationals are experiencing as they deal with the prospect of packing their bags and returning home in the wake of mass layoffs by technology giants.

It seems that the Great American dream for many is coming to a sad end. The global tech industry is reeling under the news of massive layoffs by leading organizations. According to Washington Post, nearly 200,000 IT professionals have been laid off since November last year. 

Companies such as Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon have laid off people across functions and roles. Various industry numbers estimate that 30 to 40 per cent of the laid-off people are Indians. A large number of these professionals are H-1B and L1 visa holders. In the event of losing their jobs, these professionals have to find an alternative job within 60 days or return home.

With mass layoffs, scarce job opportunities, and a volatile economy most of these professionals have fewer opportunities to land a job within a stipulated time. This leaves them with no choice but to return to India.

In taking this decision, families have little time and limited resources to plan and think through their move back to their country with their belongings. Families returning home face a big dilemma as to what to pack and move along them. Managing logistics in such a tense situation and at a short notice is a big stress factor.

This is where people need to take a deep breath, weigh all their options, and consider seeking the help of a professional move and packer who could take care of this hard and emotional homecoming.

Moving country and home: Dos and Don’ts
During these difficult moments, it is best to prioritize every aspect of relocation rather than making a last-minute decision. In such situations, choosing the right relocation partner is the first step to ensure a smooth homecoming.

In this situation, there are several factors to be considered:

List priority of goods to be moved
It is essential to identify one’s priorities. Take a moment and breathe easily and visualize what is it that is most important to you in the house, what are the physical goods that you cannot do without, and what physical belongings constitute your best memories that need to go with you.

To make this exercise easier for yourself, pick up a phone or a camera and take a video to zero down on the important things to be taken back home.

Select the right packing and moving partner
Before hiring a packer and mover, you must ensure that the company is connected to a reputed mover  both at the source and the final destination. This will ensure that your goods are handled safely from end to end.

Clearly check all the inclusions in the costing
With a tight budget, list out the important items for the shipment. Remember the cost to move goods varies based on the volume of the shipment.

To ensure transparency ask the company to provide the complete costing for packing, freight, storage and destination costs separately so that you are aware of your final costing. Storage is an essential component which many families fail to keep track of. If for any uncertainty, your move is delayed, it is important to factor in storage costs both at source and at the final destination in case there is delay there.

Insurance of goods
Explore different insurance covers for relocation as the items being shipped are of personal value and more importantly, sentimental value. Thus, always check the cost of storage insurance and transit insurance. This will give you a head’s up on the budgeting for the relocation.

Check for the validity of quotes
Many companies share a quote which can vary based on market price fluctuations, thus it is essential to fix the price with the company if the move is after a few months. In many cases, based on the relationship with the company or its policies, some companies may hold a committed price. In other situations, check the estimated increase of the price component. It is important to understand that in most cases it is the freight cost that varies and increases.

Zero down on shipment load
One of the last aspects to be considered is the shipment time to the final destination. If it is a small shipment, check if the company can do a consolidated shipment with other parties moving to the same destination thus reduce your cost.

Also, based on the number of items to be shipped if you have enough items to fill a full container you can opt for the FCL (Full Container Load) option. However, if the shipment is small, it will be put into the LCL (Less than Container Load) option wherein you share the container with other consignees. This is important to consider as LCL shipment costing can be highly expensive because, in terms of per unit, the costs of LCL shipments are higher as they include additional logistics and management charges for shipping multiple goods in one container.

Figure in Custom duty
There is another important fact to consider when coming back to India – custom duty. This is imperative if you are bringing too many household goods. You need to check on which of your goods custom duty is applicable as this is an additional cost. See if you are entitled to a Transfer of Residence (TR) benefit from the company which is applicable only if you have stayed out of India for two years. In any other case, one has to pay duty for all that is being brought back except the used goods. 

The Final Move
Many times, in the process of a relocation, we may tie up with partners based on the initial cost. However, there are many hidden costs to be understood. Check every single box that is ticked so that you can be at ease on return.

Relocation is not just a simple physical act of moving but can be taxing on an individual’s (and family’s) mental and physical health. There are myriad decisions to be made in the lead-up to, during, and in the aftermath of a relocation.

However, as these professionals move countries a thought-through approach and the right choice of a mover and packer can take away some pain of physically moving out of one’s dreamland and back home.

Attributed to Rahul Pillai - Moving | Relocation | Logistics Expert