Stricter U.S. immigration policies are now affecting more than just careers as they are now influencing family decisions in India. Growing visa uncertainties are making many parents hesitant to marry their children to Indian nationals working in the United States, worried that immigration hurdles could threaten jobs and long-term residency.
Nineteen-year-old medical student Sidhi Sharma from Haryana recently called off her plans to marry an NRI, according to Reuters.
“I had always dreamed of settling in the US after marriage,” she told Reuters. “Trump has shut the door for me,” she added.
“Immigration policies may be written in Washington, but their ripple effects are seen at Indian dinner tables when families discuss marriages,” as per Anuradha Gupta, founder of matchmaking service Vows for Eternity.
NRIs, once seen as highly desirable partners, are no longer viewed as a secure choice, prompting families to rethink their long-term marriage plans.
The U.S. is home to 2.1 million NRIs, who were once highly sought-after marriage prospects in India. However, Trump’s H-1B reforms, impacting skilled workers, 71% of whom are Indian have dampened that appeal.
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“For years, there was a craze for NRI grooms. That craze has faded since Trump returned to power, especially over the past six months,” said Vanaja Rao of Vanaja Rao Quick Marriages.
“It’s not just H-1B, it’s general immigration unpredictability,” said a 26-year-old Indian in Atlanta, Georgia.
Premium matchmaking platform Knot.dating has introduced a “US visa filter” to help Indian families adapt to the shifting immigration landscape. CEO Jasveer Singh noted that a person’s visa status has now become a major deciding factor in marriage prospects. “Visa status has become a deal-maker or breaker,” said Singh.
Knot.dating’s co-founder and CEO, Jasveer Singh, said families have traditionally shown strong interest in NRI matches. Around 1,000 NRIs have registered on the platform so far about 60% holding H-1B visas and the remaining 40% with green cards.
Indian students are also feeling the impact. Kaushik Raj, who earned a $100,000 scholarship to Columbia University, was denied a U.S. visa. He said visa processing had been temporarily suspended, and additional social media screenings contributed to more rejections.
According to the International Trade Administration, student arrivals from India declined by 50% in August 2025 compared with the previous year, while total U.S. student arrivals were down 19%. Analysts say the Trump administration’s immigration policies have made the U.S. a less attractive choice for higher education and long-term residence.
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In San Francisco, a coalition of labor unions, employers, and faith-based groups has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Trump’s proposed $100,000 H-1B application fee. The plaintiffs contend that the president overstepped his authority and warn that the rule would effectively create a “pay-to-play” system. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the policy, saying it aims to prevent misuse of the visa program, safeguard wages, and provide greater predictability for employers.
As the American Dream becomes harder to attain, many Indian families are now turning their attention to countries like Canada, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East when seeking potential matches, said Nikita Anand, founder of Wedding Tales Matrimony.
“When families consider marriage, factors like mobility and security are deeply embedded in their decision-making. It’s about long-term stability, not just for themselves but for future generations as well,” Vows For Eternity’s Gupta said, as per Reuters.