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RELOCATION LOGISTICS

Keep Your US Number Active in India for Bank OTPs and 2FA

Use a low-cost Tello setup so your US number still works for bank OTPs, brokerage logins, account recovery, and day-to-day access after you move.

  • ✓Keep US number active
  • ✓Receive bank OTPs
  • ✓Brokerage and IRS access
  • ✓Low monthly cost
Keep Your Foreign Number Active — Desi Return

Why NRIs Keep Their US Number After Moving to India

Banking Alerts

Many US banks send 2FA codes via SMS - you need access even after moving

Social Security & IRS

Government agencies may need to contact you by phone

Friends & Contacts

Stay reachable without explaining your new number to everyone

Accounts & Subscriptions

Many online accounts are tied to your foreign number for recovery

How It Works

1
Sign Up with Partner

Use Desi Return partner link to sign up with Tello

2
Choose Your Plan

Select a plan - starting as low as $5/month

3
Keep Number Active

Use WiFi or data in India to receive SMS

On camera

Hear it from them, not just us.

Real returnees, on camera, unscripted.

Reviews on Google

Rated 4.8 out of 5 by returning families

★★★★★4.8 average from 12 Google reviewsRead them on Google

KKiran KumarLocal Guide · 63 reviews
★★★★★August 2025

The content published by DR has been a great help before our move back to India.

Google review

Kiran Kumar

Local Guide · 63 reviews

Original review on Google
Google review screenshot — Kiran Kumar rates Desi Return 5 stars for its content and its moderated WhatsApp community for people moving back to India

I ran across Desi Return at a time when I needed it the most. The content published by DR has been a great help before our move back to India. The community created via whatsapp has been diligently maintained to ensure it composes people who are genuine motive to return to India or those who returned. They offer valuable advice, participate in debates respectfully and exchanging ideas. I hope to see DR continue to keep the quality and value offering high. Best wishes!

Desi Return replied

Thanks a lot Kiran for taking time to provide your valuable feedback. All the best with your new chapter too!

SS M9 reviews
★★★★★August 2025

The personal stories, are realistic, positive and very valuable source for personal planning and decisions.

Google review

S M

9 reviews

Original review on Google
Google review screenshot — S M rates Desi Return 4 stars, praising its coverage of NRI tax changes, remittance rules and R2I planning

Desi return, has been a very informative, valuable and encouraging Channel. The personal stories, are realistic, positive and very valuable source for personal planning and decisions. They keep on top of all changes that affect NRIs or R2I people, whether it was the new taxes on international remittances, or SSN/Investment withdrawals for people living outtside the country or others, they keep us briefed! The content is easy to find and navigate on the page. Avinash, does a great job of asking the right questions, delving into the right details, clear n precise presentation. All in all, a very valuable site for R2I planning and move!!

Desi Return replied

Thank you very much! Anything we can do to get that 5 star rating 😊

RRavi Kiran2 reviews
★★★★★August 2025

Definitely recommend for anyone planning to make a move back to India

Google review

Ravi Kiran

2 reviews

Original review on Google
Google review screenshot — Ravi Kiran rates Desi Return 5 stars, noting help with his move, kids' education and finances during RNOR status

DesiReturn group (whatapp and youtube channel) have helped me personally during my move. I still see value in following these whatsapp channels post move - wrt kids education and financials during RNOR status. Definitely recommend for anyone planning to make a move back to India

Edit: No Spam. No non-sense. Admin (Avinash) does a great job in removing folks who go off topic or create spam or send ads. Genuine recommendations.

Desi Return replied

Thanks a lot Ravi! Hope you and family are settling well.

SSIVA2 reviews
★★★★★August 2025

The group brings together a strong network of professionals who've returned to India, making it easier to share experiences, tips, and guidance

Google review

SIVA

2 reviews

Original review on Google
Google review screenshot — SIVA rates Desi Return 5 stars, calling the platform professionally managed and relevant for an international career move back to India

The experience was both valuable and professionally managed. As someone navigating the transition from an international career back to India, I found the platform especially relevant and thoughtfully curated. The group brings together a strong network of professionals who've returned to India, making it easier to share experiences, tips, and guidance

Desi Return replied

Thanks Siva! Appreciate your feedback.

KKush Kapur5 reviews
★★★★★August 2025

Highly recommended - returning is overwhelming but you not alone

Google review

Kush Kapur

5 reviews

Original review on Google
Google review screenshot — Kush Kapur rates Desi Return 4 stars for an engaged WhatsApp group, with a suggestion for smaller topic-specific groups

Good experience - finally a whatsapp group where people are actually engaged & you get help. Highly recommended - returning is overwhelming but you not alone - if india has anything, it has lots of nris 😜

I think improvement can be made if fewer people are in a group (eg. Have more fin groups). I rather not have to 'check 400msgs in a wk' but some people are very helpful.

Desi Return replied

Thank you Kush! Hard to keep up with the messages in the groups with active engagement

RR. Thawani4 reviews
★★★★★August 2025

Have watched your Youtube videos and am very happy to see a very diverse group of people who share their experiences.

Google review

R. Thawani

4 reviews

Original review on Google
Google review screenshot — R. Thawani rates Desi Return 5 stars for its diverse return stories, including seniors discussing senior living communities in India

Have watched your Youtube videos and am very happy to see a very diverse group of people who share their experiences. While most of the videos address the moves back to India by younger folks with school aged kids, it was helpful to see some recent videos of seniors discussing senior living communities in India. Keep up the good work!

Desi Return replied

Thank you very much!

Ssai rahulLocal Guide · 120 reviews
★★★★★August 2025

So many contacts and helpful people in the group. We also meet occasionally.

Google review

sai rahul

Local Guide · 120 reviews

Original review on Google
Google review screenshot — sai rahul rates Desi Return 5 stars, describing a helpful community of people returning to India from various countries

Best group for all people who ate trying to return to India from various countries, the admin has reated a community where everyone can interact with each other and help each other. So many contacts and helpful people in the group. We also meet occasionally.

Desi Return replied

Thanks a lot Rahul! Good luck with your endeavors

RRitesh bantiyaLocal Guide · 125 reviews
★★★★★August 2025

Fantastic community that really helps us in the most trying times of making difficult decisions.

Google review

Ritesh bantiya

Local Guide · 125 reviews

Original review on Google
Google review screenshot — Ritesh bantiya rates Desi Return 5 stars for a community that helps with difficult return decisions

Fantastic community that really helps us in the most trying times of making difficult decisions. The information provided by Avinash on his channels, and the community itself is extremely helpful!

Desi Return replied

Thank you very much Ritesh!!

VVijay Sethuraman17 reviews
★★★★★July 2026

Very informative videos and they cover a wide range of important topics that are very relevant for NRIs !

Google review

Vijay Sethuraman

17 reviews

Original review on Google
Google review screenshot — Vijay Sethuraman rates Desi Return 5 stars for informative videos covering topics relevant to NRIs

Very informative videos and they cover a wide range of important topics that are very relevant for NRIs ! Highly recommend !!

Desi Return replied

Thank you very much!! Glad to know content is relevant and informative.

JJigar Mehta9 reviews
★★★★★August 2025

Amazing community! Very helpful for anyone exploring migration back to India.

Google review

Jigar Mehta

9 reviews

Original review on Google
Google review screenshot — Jigar Mehta rates Desi Return 5 stars, calling it helpful for anyone exploring migration back to India

Amazing community! Very helpful for anyone exploring migration back to India.

Desi Return replied

Thanks Jigar! Appreciate your valuable insights in the Whatsapp group especially topics related to finance/investments

SSac G3 reviews
★★★★★August 2025

Great Channel.useful and relevant!

Google review

Sac G

3 reviews

Original review on Google
Google review screenshot — Sac G rates Desi Return 5 stars, calling the channel useful and relevant

Great Channel.useful and relevant!

Desi Return replied

Thanks a lot!!

IIsha Vakharia
★★★★★August 2025

Rated 5 out of 5 — no written review.

Google review

Isha Vakharia

Original review on Google
Google review screenshot — Isha Vakharia rates Desi Return 5 stars, a star rating left without a written review

Isha Vakharia left a 5-star rating without a written review.

Desi Return replied

Thanks

Showing 3 of 12

FAQ

Questions people ask

If you are locked out by OTP, act before you leave: enable roaming or Wi-Fi calling, port if needed, add backup email, authenticator, and recovery codes, and test login from a second device. After lockout, recovery depends on your carrier and bank—start with their support line and have ID ready.
Sometimes, but only for supported bank/app and NPCI-enabled country combinations—and setup often fails at debit-card or OTP verification. Do not rely on UPI with a foreign number as your only payment method when you return. Keep bank cards, net banking, and a working Indian mobile number as backup.
Cheaper options can include low-cost mobile plans, VoIP, Google Voice-style routes, or eSIM combinations, but OTP reliability varies by bank and provider. Check which accounts depend on the number before recommending a plan. Test OTP receipt in India before cancelling the original line.
Yes, usually for OTPs, bank alerts, brokerage logins, tax accounts, credit cards, and account recovery. Keep the number before you leave, test roaming/VoIP access from India, and update backup authentication methods. Losing the number after landing can turn a simple login into a weeks-long recovery problem. Low-cost US carriers like Tello can help keep a US number active
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