Nearly 7.5 lakh Indian students took a flight abroad In 12 months. According to data provided by Subhas Sarkar, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, the headcount of Indian students who study abroad jumped up by 68.79% last year.

Going abroad is not an easy decision. Nor is it a cakewalk to live there because of a number of challenges that NRIs face for real. But at the same time, this decision brings a ton of new opportunities and financial growth. You can have cultural exposure. Certainly, these all affect your emotional, social, and financial well-being.

Today, through this blog, you can get insights into the most common challenges that non-residents of India face while being abroad.

Challenges that NRIs Face Abroad

Let’s get started.

1. Cultural Identity and Adaptation

Cultural differences often seem big. This is because you go out with a different cultural identity, and you have to mix with the local culture of the USA, UK, Russia, or wherever you go. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, about 47% of Indian immigrants in the United States found that adapting to American culture is like chewing iron bullets. It’s like a tug-of-war between preserving & protecting your own cultural roots, and simultaneously, integrating into the local society. Many-a-times, you feel isolated.

2. Loneliness and Social Isolation

For sure, one has to live away from his/her home country. A long stay somewhere far away from the family can result in feeling alone. A survey conducted by the Association of Indian Community in Indonesia found that nearly 80% of Indians in Indonesia suffer from homesickness. This is profusely impacting their mental health and wellbeing.

3. Financial Pressures

Although the ultimate aim of shifting abroad is to improve financial prospects, NRIs also encounter financial pressures. This can be unique to their situation, such as sending money back to their families and maintaining two households (while being far away). Sometimes, they have to deal with currency fluctuations because of the aforesaid reasons, which certainly can lead to financial stress. In this regard, the World Bank, India reported that India was the top recipient of remittances globally in 2020, with over $83 billion received from NRIs.

4. Employment Challenges

There are many Indians who go on study visas in Canada, the United States, and other foreign countries.  And in many cases, they have to find jobs for their pocket money and managing expenses there, which is obviously necessary because of high currency value. In these circumstances, they lack foreign qualifications and work experience.  Of course, the cultural difference is also a big thing to adjust in workplace dynamics. A study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) clearly stated that about 40% of Indian professionals abroad live life like a nightmare because of difficulties in finding jobs matching their skills and qualifications.

5. Legal and Documentation Hassles

This is indeed a big struggle to navigate legal processes, paperwork, and documentation in a foreign country. Precisely, this includes obtaining visas, PPC, single status certificate, & the change of status certificate. It may also encompass dealing with residency permits, and understanding tax laws. A report by the Ministry of External Affairs states that legal and documentation challenges are among the topmost concerns for non-residents of India.

6. Health Care Concerns

However, medical tourism is pervasive. But, accessing quality healthcare can be a challenge for NRIs. This can particularly happen to them in countries where the healthcare systems are different. Language barriers might be there. In addition, you can see differences in medical practices, and expensive healthcare abroad. A survey conducted by Apollo Hospitals clearly states that around 80% of NRIs believe that the Indian healthcare system is more affordable and accessible than healthcare abroad.

7. Remittances and Investment

Sending money back to India as remittances is a very popular trend among NRIs. However, they also face challenges in finding the right investment opportunities that can justify or align with their financial needs and risk tolerance. If you look into a report by the Reserve Bank of India, it states that NRIs are increasingly looking for investment options that offer higher returns and flexibility.

8. Getting Married Abroad

Getting married abroad is no less than a nightmare for NRIs. This is because of legal complexities and cultural differences. According to a survey, 65% of NRIs faced hurdles in navigating foreign marriage laws, and 72% struggled with coordinating ceremonies across borders. Balancing traditional practices and legal requirements like submitting a single status certificate can lead to emotional and logistical stress. It ultimately affects their wedding experience.

Conclusion

There are multiple challenges that NRIs face abroad because of their cultural identity, emotional well-being, social connections, marriages, and financial stability. These challenges are not just individual experiences, but also impact a majority of NRIs. Governments, organizations, and communities can work together to provide support systems, resources, and platforms that address the unique needs of NRIs and help them navigate the complexities of living abroad.