Indians in USA & Canada: Are You Using India’s Money Opportunities Fully?

Many Indians in the USA and Canada are sending record money back to India—but not all of them are turning those dollars into smart, long‑term opportunities yet.

 India is no longer “just sentimental” money

For a long time, money sent home was mostly about family support and a bit of gold or a “safe” flat somewhere. Now, the scale is very different. Indians abroad sent a historic 135+ billion dollars to India in FY25, more than double what was sent eight years ago, and India remains the world’s top remittance destination.  That means a lot of quiet financial power sitting between NRE accounts, mutual funds, properties, and random FDs parents opened “for you” years ago.

The question is no longer “Are you sending money home?” but “What is that money actually doing for your future?” Many USA/Canada NRIs are still parking large amounts in low‑yield accounts while inflation and currency swings slowly eat into real value.

 Where NRIs are already active

Recent NRI trends show three big themes: 

• Real estate in India is seeing strong NRI interest, with overseas buyers expected to contribute close to a fifth of total real estate investments in 2025.
• Mutual funds and structured products are increasingly popular as NRIs look beyond pure deposits and explore SIPs, debt‑plus‑equity mixes, and “fund of funds” style options that are easier to manage from abroad.
• Remittances for family expenses and education remain huge, but many families don’t plug these flows into a bigger plan—like retirement in India, children’s future education, or a potential return.

In simple terms: a lot of Indians in the US and Canada are already moving money to India, but not always with a clear strategy attached.

 Opportunities many Indians still miss

There are a few “missed opportunity” zones that keep showing up in NRI conversations and policy updates: 

• Tax‑aware investing in India: NRI taxation on Indian income (rent, capital gains, interest) has its own rules, slabs, and TDS norms, and recent changes have tightened disclosure and residency criteria.  Those who don’t plan may end up overpaying tax—or under‑reporting and fixing things later at a cost.

• Real estate decisions made only on emotion: Buying “a flat in hometown because everyone does it” is still common, but newer data shows NRIs also using Indian real estate as a structured investment in growth corridors, premium housing, and rental‑friendly micro‑markets.  Without basic market research or advice, it is easy to end up asset‑rich but cash‑poor.

• Not aligning US/Canada tax with India moves: For USA and Canada‑based Indians, tax treaties, reporting rules, and residency status can change how Indian investments are viewed back there.  Ignoring this can mean surprises during audits or when applying for mortgages, visas, or future citizenship.

In short, the opportunity is not just “invest in India,” but connect remittances, tax, investments, and long‑term life plans into one clear picture.

 Using platforms and experts instead of guesswork

The good news: you do not have to become a full‑time finance geek to do this well. There is an entire ecosystem of NRI‑focused planners, tax professionals, and real‑estate advisors who understand both sides of your life—USA/Canada and India.  Working with the right expert can help you:

• Turn regular remittances into a structured portfolio (FDs, funds, real estate, insurance, retirement).
• Navigate Indian tax rules for NRIs, so you know what’s taxable, what’s deductible, and how new rules in 2025 affect you.
• Pick Indian opportunities that match real goals: future return, parents’ support, children’s India connection, or long‑term wealth.

And that’s exactly the kind of space where Sulekha Finance & Taxation comes in—connecting Indians in the USA and Canada with professionals back home who understand these cross‑border questions.

Stay tuned: this is just the first in a series of simple, insight‑led pieces under Sulekha Finance & Taxation to help you understand money, tax, and investment trends between your life abroad and your roots in India.