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Documents to Carry 📁

Getting documents from the US after you've moved to India is a logistical nightmare. Carry these in a fireproof folder.

1. The "Must-Be-Apostilled" Legal Documents

The Reason: India and the US are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. A standard US notary stamp is legally meaningless in India. For a US document to be accepted by Indian courts, passport offices, or schools, it MUST carry an Apostille certificate from your state's Secretary of State.

  • US Birth Certificates (For Kids) Required for OCI registration, school admissions, and Aadhaar card applications in India.
  • US Marriage Certificate Required for adding your spouse to Indian health insurance, opening joint bank accounts, or updating passports.
  • Divorce / Custody Decrees (If applicable) Absolutely critical if a single parent is moving to India with a minor US-citizen child. Indian immigration will demand this.

2. Corporate & Employment Records

The Reason: Background verification (BGV) in India is notoriously strict. 3rd-party Indian BGV agencies expect standard Indian documentation (like a "Relieving Letter"). Since US companies don't issue these, you must carry overwhelming proof of your US employment.

  • Experience / Verification of Employment (VOE) Letters Ask your US HR department for a formal letter on company letterhead stating your start date, end date, and final title.
  • Last 5 Years of W-2s & Final 3 Paystubs Indian employers will use this to verify your US compensation history. Download these before you lose access to your US corporate portal (Workday/ADP).
  • Original I-140 Approval Notice (Form I-797) If you ever want to return to the US on an H-1B in the future, this piece of paper is the only thing preserving your priority date.

3. Financial, Tax & Customs Proof

The Reason: Getting access to US government portals (like IRS.gov) requires a US phone number for 2FA. Download everything locally. Furthermore, Indian Customs will demand proof of your US residency timeline to grant you duty-free Transfer of Residence (TR) benefits.

  • 6 Months of Physical US Bank Statements Customs officers in India frequently ask for stamped or physical bank statements to prove you genuinely lived in the US for the past 2 years (TR requirement).
  • IRS 1040 Tax Returns & Transcripts (Last 3 Years) Crucial for proving your NRI status and answering queries from the Indian Income Tax department regarding foreign assets.
  • Original Social Security Cards Do not lose these. Your US-citizen children will need them for US college applications in 10-15 years.

4. Medical, Schooling & Driving

  • Official DMV Driving Record (MVR) The Reason: Indian auto insurance companies will often grant you a massive "No Claim Bonus" (up to 50% off premiums) if you prove you had a clean driving record in the US.
  • Valid US Driver's License The Reason: Renew it before you leave! You can legally drive in India for your first 12 months using a US License + International Driving Permit (IDP).
  • Vaccination "Yellow Cards" & Sealed Transcripts The Reason: Indian international schools require official medical vaccination histories and sealed report cards from the US principal.