Google techie gave up H-1B, returned to India for a decade, now says moving back to the US was the right decision

A discussion on career opportunities, migration, and quality of life has gone viral on social media after a Google employee shared his experience of leaving the United States, spending more than a decade in India, and eventually deciding to return to America.

Madhur Chadha, an AI builder at Google, revealed in a post on X that he had left the US 13 years ago, giving up his H-1B visa to return to India. During his time back home, Chadha worked across both large technology companies and Indian startups, while also passing up several opportunities to relocate abroad.

"13 years ago I left US, let go of my H1B and came back. Stayed for a decade, from big tech to desi startup, gave up many opportunities to move including nearby Google Singapore," Chadha wrote.


He added, "Eventually realized, coming back to US was still the right move for me."

Google engineer reacts to debate on leaving India

Chadha's comments came in response to another viral post that argued highly skilled professionals should consider moving abroad.

The original post stated, "If you are the 1% skills wise in India, leave India. Don't listen to rotund pot bellied bald old uncles trying to convince you otherwise."

The statement sparked a debate among users, with many sharing their own experiences of living and working in different countries.

Why not choose Singapore, UAE or Switzerland?

One user questioned whether relocating to the United States was the only option for talented professionals.

"Why not find a middle ground like UAE, Switzerland, Singapore - closer to home, less visa hassles, amazing infrastructure and lots of opportunities," the user wrote.

Others highlighted factors such as governance, public infrastructure and ease of living when comparing countries.

Users share mixed views on life abroad

Another X user agreed with the idea of moving overseas, saying that life in the US offers several practical advantages.

"Agree every point you made. In US we don't have to deal with bribe in every government office. People are kind except few. Don't have to deal with wrong side road riding idiots who have the audacity to show attitude," the user commented.

However, not everyone viewed the issue through the same lens. A third user argued that migration decisions are deeply personal and cannot be reduced to ideology or social media trends.

"This is the quiet truth nobody on the timeline wants to say out loud. The answer is personal, not ideological," the user wrote.

"The move that is right for you depends on the life you are optimizing for, not the one Twitter is selling."

A recurring debate among Indian professionals

The discussion reflects a long-running debate among Indian professionals about whether to pursue careers abroad or build opportunities at home. While some prioritize higher salaries, infrastructure and career growth in countries such as the US, others value proximity to family, familiarity and emerging opportunities in India's growing startup ecosystem.

Chadha's experience highlights that career decisions often evolve over time, with personal priorities changing at different stages of life and work.