Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Tighter US immigration rules under President Donald Trump are reshaping the marriage and migration aspirations of many Indian families. Once seen as a ticket to prosperity, marriages with US-based Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are losing their allure as families fear job insecurity and visa complications under the new H-1B policy.
Visa Crackdown Shakes Marriage Aspirations
Nineteen-year-old Sidhi Sharma from Haryana, who once dreamed of settling in the US through marriage, has abandoned her plans. “Trump has shut the door for me,” she said, referring to the immigration overhaul that includes a hefty $100,000 annual H-1B visa fee. With Indians accounting for 75% of H-1B holders in 2024, most of them men, these changes have sent ripples through Indian matchmaking circles.
“Immigration policies may be written in Washington, but their ripple effects are seen at dinner tables of Indian families when they’re talking about marriages,” said Anuradha Gupta, founder of Vows For Eternity. Matchmakers report a slowdown in demand for NRI grooms, with many weddings delayed amid growing uncertainty.
Matchmakers And Students Adapt To New Reality
Vanaja Rao of Quick Marriages noted that demand for US-based suitors had surged until last year but began declining sharply after Trump’s visa curbs intensified. Dating platforms like Knot.dating have even introduced a “US visa filter,” allowing families to view a suitor’s visa status before proceeding. “Families want to see the visa status of the suitor or match from abroad before proceeding further,” said CEO Jasveer Singh.
The uncertainty is also altering academic ambitions. With over 422,000 Indians studying in the US in 2024, some students are now rethinking their plans. Premium matchmaking platforms highlight the financial appeal of US salaries—over ₹50 lakh annually—but stricter policies have made that dream less attainable.
Shifting Focus Beyond The US
As opportunities in America become less predictable, Indian families are increasingly turning their attention to countries like Canada, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. “When families consider marriage, factors like mobility and security are deeply embedded in their decision-making,” Gupta explained.
