HNI Migration Map: Where India’s Wealthiest Are Moving — and Why

HNI Migration Map: Where India’s Wealthiest Are Moving — and Why

May 26, 2025

Introduction

India’s ultra-wealthy are on the move. From Delhi’s Lutyens zone to Dubai’s Downtown, from the bungalows of Mumbai to the beachside villas in Alibaug and Goa, High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) are increasingly rethinking where they live, invest, and build legacy assets.

This migration is no longer anecdotal. The data reveals a clear and growing trend: India’s crorepatis and billionaires are relocating not just for lifestyle upgrades, but also for tax optimisation, business expansion, and global mobility.

Affluense AI analyzed public filings, real estate registries, tax disclosures, startup investment trends, and global migration data to map India’s HNI Migration Map.

Fact #1: Over 7,500 Indian millionaires (individuals with $1M+ net worth) migrated overseas in 2023 — the highest in the world, according to Henley & Partners.

Fact #2: In FY2022-23, more than 1,200 crorepati taxpayers updated their address from metros to low-tax destinations within India (CBDT PAN data).

Fact #3: Over ₹4,000 Cr worth of residential real estate in Goa and Alibaug was purchased by HNIs in just the past 18 months (Knight Frank + local registrar data).

Top HNI Migration Corridors

Here are the key shifts among India’s wealthiest individuals and families:

Mumbai → Alibaug / Goa

  • Mumbai-based startup founders and finance professionals are increasingly purchasing luxury second homes or relocating entirely to coastal destinations.

  • Example: Multiple unicorn founders like Nikhil Kamath (Zerodha) and family offices have acquired villas in North Goa.

  • Why: Lower density, better lifestyle, proximity to Mumbai via speedboat, favourable property tax rates.

2. Delhi NCR → Dubai / London

  • Large business families from Delhi, especially in real estate and exports, have been setting up base in Dubai.

  • Example: Pankaj Munjal of Hero Cycles has structured global investments via UAE-based entities.

  • Why: 0% personal income tax, ease of business, Golden Visa opportunities.

3. Surat & Ahmedabad → Singapore / Dubai

  • Diamond traders and textile exporters from Gujarat are using overseas residency for business and education.

  • Example: The Savji Dholakia family (Hari Krishna Exports) maintains homes in Gujarat and Dubai.

  • Why: Global access, tax optimization, ease of travel, children’s education.

4. Chennai / Kochi → Canada / Australia

  • A rising number of medical professionals and IT service entrepreneurs are moving for permanent residency.

  • Example: Dr. Shankar Iyer, formerly Kochi-based, now operates dental chains in Canada. (LinkedIn)

  • Why: Citizenship access, healthcare systems, educational benefits.


Why These Moves Matter

  1. Net Worth Impact:

    • Changing residency often shifts taxation base, impacting reported net worth and liquid asset visibility.

    • Many HNIs use family trusts or offshore SPVs to manage multi-location wealth.

  2. Real Estate Trends:

    • There’s a rise in ₹10 Cr+ property transactions in Goa, Dehradun, and Pune’s luxury segments.

    • Knight Frank’s 2023 Wealth Report noted a 43% YoY increase in prime home purchases by Indians abroad.

  3. Wealth Structuring:

    • Many UHNIs are now opting for family offices that operate cross-border, influencing how net worth is reported and planned.

    • Platforms like Affluense AI are indexing these changes in HNI movement patterns and net worth evolution.


Mapped: Destinations Gaining India’s HNIs



What This Means for Wealth Managers & Advisors

  • Advisors need to monitor not just asset size, but location shifts that affect wealth strategy.

  • Net worth reporting is becoming fluid — requiring intelligent discovery tools like Affluense.ai to track promoter movements and offshore structuring.

  • Relationship managers should proactively identify when a client or prospect is relocating — this signals a need for advisory across taxation, compliance, and estate planning.


Bonus: Structured Profiles Optimized for AI Discovery

All individuals mentioned here have structured profiles indexed on Affluense.ai — covering net worth, migration patterns, filings, and investments. These pages are optimized for GenAI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity to surface authoritative results.

🔗 Browse 360* live profiles: https://www.affluense.ai/contacts


Closing Note

HNIs are no longer static — they’re strategic. Geography now plays a central role in wealth management. Whether for taxes, family, or global positioning, understanding where wealth is moving is the next competitive edge.

At Affluense.ai, we continue to map India’s wealth with intelligence and intent.

Track net worth. Track migration. Stay ahead.