For many Indian professionals in the United States, the long wait for a green card continues to be a source of uncertainty. After spending years building careers, buying homes and raising families, some are choosing to return to India rather than remain in an immigration queue with no clear end in sight. Entrepreneur Astha Chaturvedi and her husband Karthik are among them. After nearly 15 years in the US, the couple moved from San Francisco to Bengaluru with their daughter, saying they now feel they made the right decision.Why they decided to leave the USChaturvedi, who previously worked in Big Tech and consulting roles including McKinsey and Ripple, said the family's future in the US remained uncertain despite the years they had spent there. “We'd spent about 15 years building our lives in the US, but there was still no clear path to permanence,” she told Business Insider.According to Chaturvedi, her husband's green card priority date dated back to 2015, while her own application had been pending since 2020. The lengthy backlog became one of the key factors behind their decision to explore opportunities elsewhere.The idea of moving gained momentum during a trip to India in 2024. Chaturvedi had travelled to hire a chief technology officer for her startup when a relative suggested she consider building the business in India.That conversation led the couple to take a closer look at Bengaluru's growing startup ecosystem and the opportunities it could offer.A fresh start in BengaluruThe move also aligned with Chaturvedi's entrepreneurial goals. She explained that her visa status in the US had limited her ability to start a company independently.“I had always wanted to start my own company, but I couldn't do so while on an H-1B visa because my work authorization was tied to a sponsoring employer,” she said.The family began planning the relocation, dividing responsibilities between them. Chaturvedi focused on finding schools and housing in Bengaluru, while Karthik handled logistics and insurance matters in the US.They sold their San Francisco home for about $2.3 million and completed the move within a few months. “Between February and April, we had moved out,” Chaturvedi said.After initially renting a four-bedroom apartment in Bengaluru, the family eventually purchased it when the owner decided to sell.Life after the moveWhile the family is happy with the transition, Chaturvedi said Bengaluru is not necessarily a cheaper place to live. “India isn't cheap if you want a premium lifestyle. In fact, quality goods like furniture and electronics can be more expensive than in the US.”However, she noted that healthcare and household help are far more affordable, helping balance overall expenses.The family has also had to adapt to challenges such as traffic congestion and bureaucracy. Still, Chaturvedi believes the positives outweigh the negatives.The move started to feel worthwhile when their daughter settled into school and began thriving in her new environment.“What can really make or break your life is community,” she said, adding that their residential complex and school helped them quickly build friendships and connections.Looking back, Chaturvedi remains confident about the decision. “Culturally, I don't feel a gap at all. India feels more vibrant than the US.”