For decades, the allure of the American Dream has drawn Indian students and families toward the United States, whether for world-class education or the promise of lucrative careers. But this year, a sweeping shift in US immigration policy is dramatically altering that landscape, sending ripples through Indian homes and even upending long-held marriage traditions.
According to The Economic Times, US student visa issuances dropped nearly 20% in August 2025, with India experiencing the sharpest decline. The number of student visas issued to Indian nationals plummeted by a staggering 44.5% compared to the previous year. In a striking reversal, China has now overtaken India as the top country of origin for foreign students in the US, with 86,647 visas issued to students from mainland China—more than double the number granted to their Indian counterparts.
These numbers, while eye-catching, only hint at the broader impact of recent US policy changes. The Trump administration, since returning to the White House, has prioritized curbing immigration and tightening oversight of universities, which it views as a stronghold of political opposition. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a move that sent shockwaves through international student communities, briefly suspended all student visa processing in June, a peak application month, while ordering US embassies to scrutinize applicants' social media histories. Thousands of student visas have since been revoked, sometimes on the grounds of criticism of Israel or perceived opposition to US foreign policy interests.
These crackdowns haven’t just affected students. The administration has introduced rules making it more difficult for applicants to apply for visas outside the jurisdiction of US consulates in their home countries, even when backlogs are severe. For Indian applicants, this means longer waits and more uncertainty. On top of that, a hefty new fee has been imposed on the H-1B visa—a program overwhelmingly used by Indian technology professionals. The Trump administration’s actions stand in stark contrast to decades of US policy, which had long sought to woo India as a counterweight to China in global affairs.
The effects are far-reaching. As Reuters reports, tighter US immigration rules are prompting Indian families to rethink traditional marriage arrangements with relatives or suitors living in America. Sidhi Sharma, a 19-year-old medical student from Haryana, shared her disappointment: "I had always dreamed of settling in the U.S. after marriage. Trump has shut the door for me." Her story isn’t unique. Families across India are increasingly concerned that potential partners may lose their jobs or visa status, especially under the new H-1B rules. Notably, Indians account for the majority of H-1B holders, with 75% of those visas issued to men in 2024.
"Immigration policies may be written in Washington, but its ripple effects are seen at dinner tables of Indian families when they're talking about marriages," said Anuradha Gupta, founder of the matchmaking service Vows For Eternity, in an interview with Reuters. The US is home to the world’s largest Indian diaspora, including 2.1 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), who have long been considered highly desirable marriage prospects. But as US visa rules tighten, interest in NRI grooms is waning. Vanaja Rao, managing director of Vanaja Rao Quick Marriages, noted, "Up until last year, there was a lot of demand and craze for NRI suitors. We've started to see a slowdown ever since Trump took over, and it intensified in the last six months. And of course, after the recent chaos and curbs on H-1B, there's more panic."
It’s not just prospective brides and grooms feeling the pressure. Indian students—422,335 of whom were studying in the US in 2024—are also reconsidering their ambitions. The once-rosy vision of studying and working in America is now clouded by uncertainty. Premium dating platforms like Knot.dating have adapted quickly: as of October 2025, the site introduced a 'US visa filter' to display visa status before matches are arranged. "Families want to see the visa status of the suitor or match from abroad before proceeding further," explained CEO Jasveer Singh.
Financial security remains a key factor in these decisions. Knot.dating requires male users to earn a minimum of 5 million rupees (about $56,332) annually—a sum, as KP Singh of the overseas education consultancy IMFS told Reuters, that is "astronomically higher than what a fresh graduate or professional typically earns in India, that's equivalent to many years' worth of income here." The prospect of a US salary once offered a level of security that many Indian families could only dream of. Now, however, that security feels elusive.
With the US path growing more uncertain, many Indian families are widening their horizons. Countries like Canada, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East are emerging as new destinations for both higher education and marriage prospects. "When families consider marriage, factors like mobility and security are deeply embedded in their decision-making," Gupta pointed out. The shift is unmistakable: the very idea of the American Dream is being redefined in Indian living rooms, as parents and young people weigh the risks of a US future against new opportunities elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is sending mixed signals on student visas. While thousands of visas have been revoked and social media vetting intensified, President Trump has also expressed hope for ramping up the number of Chinese students to improve US-China relations. This stands in sharp contrast to the administration’s earlier rhetoric, when Secretary Rubio promised to "aggressively" revoke visas from Chinese students accused of exploiting US technical knowhow. The latest data reveals that, while student visa issuance to Chinese nationals also declined, the drop was nowhere near as steep as for Indian students. The administration’s actions have also resulted in a sharp fall in student visas from many Muslim-majority countries, with admissions from Iran dropping by 86% in August 2025.
For Indian families, the consequences are immediate and deeply personal. The once-coveted NRI groom is now viewed with a degree of caution, and the pipeline of ambitious students heading for US universities is slowing. Matchmakers are adapting, adding new filters and checks to their platforms, while families are recalibrating their expectations and exploring new geographies for both education and matrimony.
This moment marks a profound shift in the Indo-American relationship at the grassroots level. The US, long seen as a land of opportunity, is now a source of anxiety and second thoughts. As Indian families look elsewhere for stability and prospects, the global map of aspiration is being redrawn—one dinner table conversation at a time.
