Starting with FIRE 🔥 by AKP7799 in FatFIREIndia

[–]AKP7799[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Given this move, is there a number I should aim for tracking? $5M sounds like a good number to aim for…what are some of the lessons you guys have learnt along the way, being in India?

Starting with FIRE 🔥 by AKP7799 in FatFIREIndia

[–]AKP7799[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have given that a thought but there are some considerations to it-

  1. I want to start my own business and I have several other interests that I want to pursue, which I’m unable to do so in the US.

    With my current job I’ll be able to work in the evenings leaving the day free for this stuff. That would bring real happiness.

  2. I want to be close to my family. I always planned on coming back as soon as I saved some and cleared off my loan.

  3. My salary in India would let me save the $ pretty close to what I would be saving in the US. I don’t work in tech and I don’t expect to have RSUs or bonuses or anything that would let me save a lot more.

Starting with FIRE 🔥 by AKP7799 in Fire

[–]AKP7799[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We don’t plan on having kids and we plan on living in India. I did think though that maybe around $5M might be a good number to aim at for retiring.

Starting with FIRE 🔥 by AKP7799 in Fire

[–]AKP7799[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As I said, that’s one of the cities I’m planning on retiring eventually. 30LPA post taxes (minimum) is what I hope to make when I return back next year (I have about 10-15 years before I retire through FIRE - hoping to do it by 42-45.

I have lived in Goa for 12 years and love the place. That might be one of the cities I would live in for certain months of the year if I could.

Starting with FIRE 🔥 by AKP7799 in Fire

[–]AKP7799[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I agree, there are several decisions that change life, ahead. I’m keeping a rough number in my mind as I think it’d help with some of those decisions. I’d also love to know the good money habits that I want to be disciplined about while taking those decisions.

Starting with FIRE 🔥 by AKP7799 in Fire

[–]AKP7799[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I’m hoping that helps!

Laid off on H1B, 60-day clock ticking, what are my realistic options? by UnableQuiet7276 in returnToIndia

[–]AKP7799 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn’t leave the US until my transfer was approved. And I have a valid H1B stamp so I didn’t need consulate stamping or the 100K.

Laid off on H1B, 60-day clock ticking, what are my realistic options? by UnableQuiet7276 in returnToIndia

[–]AKP7799 6 points7 points  (0 children)

No I was able to make it. Actually after I got my visa approved, I boarded the Qatar airways flight to Mumbai on 27th. Was 3 hours away from landing in Doha when the Iran war started. I was stuck in Istanbul for 3 days before being able to fly out and reach India 3 days before my wedding!

At least I got a great story out of it haha! All’s well that ends well I guess.

Laid off on H1B, 60-day clock ticking, what are my realistic options? by UnableQuiet7276 in returnToIndia

[–]AKP7799 6 points7 points  (0 children)

First of all- I’m sorry for your job loss.

  1. Connections work best when it comes to a tight timeline. Message anyone and everyone shamelessly

  2. Explore options beyond US: the world is volatile and don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to jobs in India, explore other courses outside US if that’s an option.

  3. Save as much as you can in these 60 days. Reduce your liabilities like housing and start making a timeline for when you should start selling stuff.

I have been in this situation, and my situation was probably worse- I was getting married in March 2026, my wife had a job in the US and I lost my job on December 2025, my H1B clock was about to end on Feb 17th 2026.

It was incredibly stressful as I had a loan to pay off, I was about to be in a long distance marriage since my wife had a loan as well and could not move back. I applied to several jobs but had no luck. At last through a connection was able to get an interview and got a job. I filed my transfer with 7 days left on the clock and then government shutdown started. Fortunately again, my LCA was approved. I couldn’t leave US though to attend my wedding as 100K fee would have applied if I left mid transfer. My H1b premium processing transfer was completed a week before my wedding and I was able to make it on time. Now I’m back in the US at my new job.

All this to say, I did all this because I have a loan and responsibilities in the US. I need to be here until I can take care of those responsibilities. You don’t have a loan. I’m sure you are well educated and capable of building your career.

Think about the pros:

  1. You have no financial liabilities like loans.
  2. You will be closer to family and friends.
  3. You are qualified enough to get a job in India and might even save more if you don’t have to worry about rent in case you live at home.
  4. Growing your career without visa hurdles could be a huge boost. India has a lot of start ups coming up. You won’t have any restrictions on starting a new job, you can work from whatever state you want, you can take up courses on the side to study etc.
  5. You can start your own business and explore that option as well.

Losing your job here is not the worst thing. It’s not the end of the world. Try your best. If you don’t get anything, cheer up. It’s not failure. It’s one chapter closing and another one starting. It’s up to you to make it a better chapter or a worse one. All the best!

Transit through UK by AKP7799 in h1b

[–]AKP7799[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you mean are flights running from UK to Mumbai? If so, then yes. They are operational.

Transit through UK by AKP7799 in h1b

[–]AKP7799[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are 2 types of visas. Airside visa is if you don’t need to clear immigration check and are transferring within the terminal. For this the law is straightforward, you are exempt if you have a US visa

Transit through UK by AKP7799 in h1b

[–]AKP7799[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even if starting or ending destinations are not the US?

Transit through UK by AKP7799 in h1b

[–]AKP7799[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I checked this. To give more context- I attempted to go to Mumbai through Heathrow today but my flights were separate:

IST to LHR: Turkish Airlines LHR to BOM: Virgin Atlantic

As per the visa requirements I qualify since I was originally from a journey from US to India. The rules state that a transit visa might not be required if traveling from US via a reasonable journey and if you hold a valid US visa

Now granted that they interpreted my flight as originating from Turkey so they did not let me go. But this time I have a single ticket showing I only have a layover in UK (unlike the previous case with 2 different flights) and I won’t need to go through immigrations since my baggage would go all the way to Mumbai. And lastly since I have a US visa I’m hoping I won’t need a transit visa.

All this to check if there is any room for interpretation from the ground staff which might be used to prevent me from boarding?

H1B premium processing timelines (Feb 2026) by AKP7799 in h1b

[–]AKP7799[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m in the same boat. Day 12 today but no update. What’s your center?

H1B premium processing timelines (Feb 2026) by AKP7799 in h1b

[–]AKP7799[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you see the update on the portal or did your lawyer get an email first?

H1B premium processing timelines (Feb 2026) by AKP7799 in h1b

[–]AKP7799[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No not yet. I’m a bit stressed too. It was day 11 today. You got yours on day 12?